Sludge Metallers IVY GARDENS' Release New Video "Burden" From New Sophomore Album "Death of Don Valley" Out August 2025

LR - Andrew Blackborow (Guitar, Vocals), Joe Zandwyk (Drums, Vocals), Sebastian Hogg (Keyboards)

Photo Credit by Luka Kartveli

Ivy Gardens, the experimental sludge metal band from Niagara Falls, Canada, has announced the release of their highly anticipated new music video for the single "Burden" and their sophomore album, "Death of Don Valley", set to drop on August 29th, 2025, via Paper Cut Recordings. The record marks a bold new chapter in the band’s sound, with more complex compositions, darker themes, and a shift into a more experimental and atmospheric direction.

Formed in the parking lot of Princess Auto, Ivy Gardens’ journey began with a mutual love for covering Rush instrumentals and an obsession with heavy, sludge-infused sound. From those humble beginnings, the band’s unique chemistry and vision have led to the creation of their most ambitious and thematically focused album yet.
​
​"Burden", the first single from "Death of Don Valley", showcases a satirical take on nihilism, with dark and comical undertones. The track was one of the first songs written for the album and features a fast-paced, relentless tempo that gradually picks up speed in the studio. Lyrically, it's a satirical take on the archetypal nihilist, with a dose of doom and gloom that veers into a comical extreme. The band describes it as “quick and succinct” — a track that encapsulates the essence of their new sonic direction.

Watch and listen to the music video for "Burden" below:

Spotify - https://bit.ly/3FWpqwD​

"Death of Don Valley" is a concept album, exploring the themes of death, decay, and the unstoppable erosion of life and the environment. The concept is rooted in the history of the Don Valley River, a once-thriving waterway now plagued by pollution and degradation. The album's artwork reflects this with the haunting image of a corpse between the banks of the flooded river, anthropomorphizing the water itself as it becomes a symbol of death and decay.

The material on "Death of Don Valley" was designed to be heard live, with massive stacks of amplifiers and a commitment to delivering the music in all its raw, unfiltered glory. It marks a bold new direction for Ivy Gardens; the band has no plans of slowing down. Their dedication to the project is evident in every note they play and every lyric they write as they continue to push musical boundaries and explore new sonic territories. Lyrically, the record draws from a mix of historical events, such as the tragic story of Canadian bush pilot Martin Hartwell, and fictional narratives, creating a dark and gripping atmosphere. The songs explore everything from violence, death, and survival to environmental destruction and existential dread. As the band explains:

"Death of Don Valley is the natural progression of their sound, with more complexity and a deliberate thematic structure. Musically, it marks a shift in Ivy Gardens’ approach. This album is darker, more experimental, and more intricate than our previous work on 2024's Goon. While Goon carried a more positive, energetic vibe, this LP is more about confronting the darker aspects of life, and it reflects a deeper exploration into musical and thematic complexity."

Ivy Gardens' influences are vast, ranging from progressive icons like Rush, Yes, and King Crimson to sludge pioneers like EYEHATEGOD and Iron Monkey. Their sound blends elements of stoner metal, sludge, math rock, and progressive rock, creating an unpredictable listening experience that takes the listener through a series of emotional and sonic landscapes.

Fans of Ivy Gardens can expect an intense live performance soon, as the band does plan to tour in support of the new album this coming September. Stay tuned for dates to be announced, and Ivy Gardens are bringing their thunderous sound to stages nationwide. Expect a live show that will test the limits of your ears and your emotions.

"Death of Don Valley" (out August 29th) is available for pre-order at https://ivygardens.bandcamp.com/​

Ivy Gardens - Live or Die Tour:

​Aug 29 - St. Catharines, ON - Warehouse Concert Hall
Aug 30 - Toronto, ON - Monarch Tavern
Sept 5 - Kitchener, ON - The Golden Apple
Sept 11 - London, ON - TBA
Sept 12 - Windsor, ON - Phog Lounge
Sept 13 - Sarnia, ON - AJs Bar
Sept 18 - Halifax, NS - Radstorm
Sept 19 - Sydney, NS - Daniels Ale House
Sept 20 - Charlottetown, PEI - Babas Lounge
Sept 21 - Moncton, NB - TBA
Sept 25 - Woodstock, NB - Montieth Manor
Sept 26 - Quebec City, QC - Scanner Bistro
Sept 27 - Montreal, QC - Blue Dog
Oct 9 - Barrie, ON - CW Coops
Oct 10 - Sudbury, ON - Townhouse Tavern
Oct 11 - Thunder Bay, ON - Nortenos Cantina
Oct 12 - Winnipeg, MB - Bulldog Event Center
Oct 16 - Regina, SK - The Cure Kitchen and Bar
Oct 17 - Saskatoon, SK - The Black Cat
Oct 18 - Calgary, AB - Palomino
Oct 19 - Edmonton, AB - Blak Bar
Oct 23 - Kelowna, BC - TBA
Oct 24 - Vancouver, BC - TBA
Oct 25 - Victoria, BC - TBA

Track Listing:​

1. Burn For Murder - 2:02
2. Eye Witness - 2:50
3. Burden - 3:08
4. Guiding Hand - 6:18
5. Frozen Limbs - 5:15
6. Gearth - 2:29
7. Astray - 4:56
8. Bliss - 8:59
9. Golden - 7:07

Album Length: 43:08

Album Credits:​

All songs written and performed by Ivy Gardens
Produced by Ivy Gardens
Recorded and mixed by Frank Ditillio
Mastered by Cameron Lee
Album Artwork by Ivy Gardens
Death of Don Valley is Canadian Content (MAPL)

Recording and Live Lineup:​
Joe Zandwyk: Drums, Vocals, Samples
Sebastian Hogg: Organ, Piano, Synth, Samples
Andrew Blackborow: Guitar, Vocals

More info: Facebook.com/ivygardensband | Instagram.com/ivygardensofficial

Thanks to Asher Media PR for all of the details.

Rainbow Bridge - Soundtrack Of A Silent Land (Album Review)

Release Date: June 27th 2025. Record Label: Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records. Formats: CD/DD

Soundtrack Of A Silent Land - Tracklisting

1.A Silent Land

2.Gaba 

3.Hugh The Cactus 

4.Goats Everywhere

5.Shoreline

6.Lama Returns

7.Sunrise Moon

8.A Loving Sun

Members

Giuseppe JimiRay Piazzolla - Guitars

Fabio Chiarazzo - Bass Guitar

Paolo Ormas - Drums

Review

Psych Stoner Rockers Rainbow Bridge have made the bold decision to release an instrumental record for their fourth album Soundtrack Of A Silent Land. The band state this is an imaginary soundtrack of some sort with Rainbow Bridge conjuring up vivid sounds such as exquisite Navajo vocals that open and close the album with. There’s some excellent Psychedelic and Fuzzed Up musical expression that moves into areas of distorted heaviness which appear very early on within the outstanding opening track A Silent Land.

Rainbow Bridge operate in the same creative capacity as bands such as Earthless, Yawning Man, and Colour Haze though their subtle blend of Heavy Psych, Stoner Rock, Space Rock and Blues Rock surroundings are never too far behind. This record is one more of SONIC EXPLORATION and seeing Rainbow Bridge create a different style of music that maybe quite “ALIEN” to them at first without the vocal dynamics heard on previous records.

The sound has a relentless and freakish energy which sees Rainbow Bridge play Sixties Heavy Psychedelic beats against classic Nineties Desert/Stoner Rock passages. With a small reliance on distorted Prog Rock that can be quite DRONE based at times, there is a sense of wonder and adventure when the band play an unexpected style of Instrumental music that can be quite more “METALLIC” in places. 

With a wide array of different Psych, Post-Rock and Prog Rock instrumental passages that can be quite laid back before the aggressive energy of Rainbow Bridge that usually takes complete control especially on tracks such as Gaba, Hugh The Cactus and Goats Everywhere allowing the first half of the record play out in exciting fashion. 

The second half of Soundtrack Of A Silent Land continues to build on the exciting promise that Rainbow Bridge have masterfully delivered with more eerie Progressive leaning Psychedelic jams with some epic screeching guitars being played along the way. There are a lot more FREAK OUT moments on this record compared to other Instrumental Stoner Rock albums which allows an adventurous style of music to fully form and develop into high levels of deafening passages.

Standout tracks from the second half of the album are Sunrise Moon and A Loving Son which retains a sense of urgency for Rainbow Bridge to get straight down to business in playing the heaviest, freshest and highly original musical passages contained on the whole album. The mood can be quiet, sullen, moody, heavy and aggressive on different stages of the whole record. 

Soundtrack Of A Silent Land is an absolute joy to fully experience with the raw sounding production values adding a dynamic GARAGE ROCK or GENERATOR PARTY energy to the whole record. Rainbow Bridge have been going as a band since 2006 but they’ve really started to find their own unique voice on their last couple of records and prove why they’re another excellent band to check out from the Italian Heavy Rock scene.

This is a superbly entertaining record which takes a lot of BOLD creative choices and becomes an even better record for it when everything is said and done. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the promo.

Soundtrack Of A Silent Land is available to buy now on CD/DD via Argonauta Records / Octopus Rising.

Links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Void Sinker - Solaris (Album Review)

Release Date: June 27th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Solaris - Tracklisting

1.Solaris 14:49

2.Lowering

3.Boiled 15:35

Members

Guglielmo Allegro - Everything

Review

Solaris the third release from Drone/Doom Collective Void Sinker this year with creative mastermind Guglielmo Allegro on inspired form. Nothing much changed with Void Sinker’s creative delivery on Solaris with the music being quite dense, progressive and drawn out which is the same journey as the other records that Guglielmo has released this year. Though, I will give Void Sinker credit for portraying a more progressive, denser and aggressive approach with the sound being quite morbid despite the trippy cosmic surroundings being at the forefront of the record.

The EP is made up of three lengthy compositions with Solaris, Lowering and Boiled running near to thirteen and fifteen minutes in length. The music is quite abstract and fast-paced especially when Void Sinker pays homage to bands such as CONAN, UFOMAMMUT and SUNN 0))). The industrial landscapes appear very early on within Solaris that builds an eerie world building atmosphere where the end of the world is never too far behind. Production values are quite sharp but with a slight underdeveloped DIY vibe which matches the whole one-man band aesthetic that Guglielmo brilliantly surrounds himself with each Void Sinker release.

There’s a neverending supply of ambient themes, tones and ghoulish soundscapes appearing from time-to-time that could be considered as vocals from the darkest depths of space trying to make contact with humanity. It’s an impressive mix of different sounds, tones and highly atmospheric melodies which one again transforms into a more riff-centric style on the later stages of each track especially within Lowering and Boiled.

Solaris once again allows Void Sinker to project his darkest DRONED out desires into a massive wall of Doom/Sludge Metal instrumental heaviness that leaves you wanting to hear more. This is perhaps Void Sinker’s most abstract release with the music not being quite as HEAVY compared to previous records but that doesn’t stop this being an outstanding slice of Drone/Doom Metal from one of the best creative one-man bands currently within the scene.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Chattanooga’s Doom/Sludge Metallers Dope Skum return with new single “Hollow Point” And Announce Upcoming Shows

Photo by Jackson Keys

Southern sludge duo Dope Skum return with “Hollow Point” on July 4th, the lead single off their upcoming third EP Hollerwood (due Sept. 5).

Rooted in gritty riffs and born out of the backwoods, Dope Skum blends fuzz-heavy stoner metal with a punk bite. With Cody Landress-Gibson (guitar/vocals) hailing from the foothills of Appalachia and Scott Keil (drums) forging his musical path in Los Angeles, the band’s upcoming EP Hollerwood is an ode to their contrasting origins and is set for release on Sept. 5, 2025.

“‘Hollow Point’ hits hard and fast,” says Landress-Gibson. “It’s the kind of track that captures where we’ve been and where we’re going—showcasing musical influences from all aspects of the band.”

Fans can catch Dope Skum on tour this summer as the band travels across the Southeast, bringing their version of Southern stoner rock sound to stages and dive bars alike.

Formed in late 2020, Dope Skum has carved a deep groove in the Southern heavy underground with two previous EPs: 2021’s Tanasi and 2023’s Gutter South, plus the recently released live album Return to the Gutter South: Live at Cherry Street Tavern.

Follow Dope Skum on Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify for tour updates and more release news.

Thanks to Dope Skum for all of the info.

Hebi Katana - Imperfection (Album Review)

Release Date: July 25th 2025. Record Label: Ripple Music. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Imperfection - Tracklisting

1.Bon Nou

2.Dead Horse Requiem 

3.Praise the Shadows

4.Echoes from Old Tree

5.Blood Spirit Rising

6.Yu gen

7.Yume wa Kareno

Members

Laven - Bass, Vocals

Nobu - Guitars, Vocals

T.T. Goblin - Drums

Review

Japanese Doom/Stoner/Heavy Metallers Hebi Katana new album Imperfection sees the band aiming for bigger and better things with their HEAVIEST and HUGE sounding record to date. With the power of Ripple Music fully behind Hebi Katana, the stage is set for the band to expand their musical horizons as Imperfection is a non-stop collection of grizzled Proto-Metal sounds that the band have superbly developed over the last five years or so.

Imperfection is their fourth full length album and “features lyrics inspired by Matsuo Basho and Tanizaki Junichiro's “wabi sabi” “beauty of imperfection” and “enso" based on the unique Japanese spiritual world.” The record has Hebi Katana’s classic style of Proto Metal energy which is delivered with a wild GONZO energy that pays perfect homage to bands such as Motorhead, Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, The Ramones and cult Japanese Heavy Metal heroes ELECTRIC EEL SHOCK.

There’s a sense of intense Stoner Rock/Metal BRAVADO on Imperfection with thrashy and seedy instrumental sounds capturing Hebi Katana at the top of their game. The vocals from Nobu and Laven feel more energetic with the no-nonsense attitude of Seventies Proto-Metal, Doom and Punk Rock vibes that’s matched against the OVER THE TOP Eighties Hard Rock attitude. It’s good to hear that Hebi Katana haven’t changed their stripped back Garage Rock based sound which allows the production side of Imperfection to have quite an iconic ROUGH and READY appeal which gives the record a more dangerous OUTLAW energy to it all.

The SAMURAI DOOM spirit of Hebi Katana’s runs amok with killer HIGH VOLTAGE grooves on tracks such as Dead Horse Requiem, Praise The Shadows, Echoes From The Old Tree and Yume wa Kareno being the most praiseworthy, thrilling and catchiest songs on the whole album. Hebi Katana do become quite “OCCULT” obsessed on this record which brings a sense of murky FUZZ ROCK heaviness with the outlandish lyrics doing a magnificent job of selling the whole creative vision that the band have for Imperfection. 

Imperfection has a world building Psychedelic attitude which is perhaps down to the surreal Psychedelic vision that inspired the band that I mentioned earlier in the review. If you’re only here for the music then Hebi Katana will no doubt impress you with their fearless playing and vivid expression of pure HEAVY METAL and RAWK & ROLL excess that will no doubt establish the band as major players within the global HEAVY ROCK scene. 

Hebi Katana are on the verge of great things and Imperfection is another outstanding record from one of the best kept secrets from the Japanese Underground Scene.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Imperfection is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music.

HEBI KATANA links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify

Bloodwood - Dark Simulator (Album Review)

Release Date: June 13th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Dark Simulator - Tracklisting

1.Empty Cities 06:43

2.Atomise 02:15

3.The Docks 05:08

4.Phantoms 06:09

5.Airburst 05:24

6.You Won't Hear It When It Happens 04:29

7.From The Inside 04:39

8.Ruliad 05:16

Review

Dark Simulator is the debut album from Aussie Ambient Metallers Bloodwood who express a highly melodic style of Prog Metal with Psychedelic visions that also includes moments of Grunge, Doom, Sludge, Stoner and Alt Metal grooves. The record is quite vast with its multiple styles of haunting Ambient themed Doom and Stoner Metal that sees Bloodwood use similar themes to bands such as ISIS, Mastodon, King Buffalo, Deftones and HUM. The heavy Prog Sludge melodies are quite forward thinking with a brooding atmosphere developing within the overlapping Post-Stoner and Post-Doom landscapes which have an air of SONIC aggression behind them.

The record is constantly melodic with Bloodwood not afraid of diluting the record with strands of Post-Rock attitude which gives Dark Simulator a sense of unexpected calm amongst the trippy Sludge Metal surroundings that have a slight resemblance to ISIS and Mastodon at times. Though, Bloodwood keeps things interesting with their Grunge aspects shining through.

The vocals are mostly clean based with small amounts of HARSH delivery coming through. Bloodwood aren’t afraid to change their creative stance from one of destruction to a slightly hopeful style of redemption in places which gives Dark Simulator a highly unexpected quality with the overall Doomedelic and Ambient tone that fills the whole environment.

Bloodwood cover a lot of musical ground within the albums forty minute runtime with some tracks feeling slightly longer than they actually but that’s a good things with the band including multiple different styles of music that have a cinematic edge to them especially on tracks such as  Empty Cities, The Docks, Phantoms, Airburst and Ruliad.

There’s a lot of sonic experimentation and Ambient interplay with the different musical soundscapes and haunting Post-Rock backdrops that has a deep methodical attitude which can easily the band draw comparisons to bands from the Seventies Prog Rock scene at times but everything becomes modern based when the band inject that violent Sludge Rock/Metal attitude within the opening passages of the excellent opening track Empty Cities.

The production values on Dark Simulator are immense and superbly realised with Bloodwood delivering a highly memorable experience which demands your undivided attention. This is a record of outstanding quality with Bloodwood firing on all cylinders throughout that will leave you wholly satisfied. If you want a similar underground fix to the likes of DOMKRAFT then this is the place to be. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

King Potenaz - Arcane Desert Rituals Vol. 1! (Album Review)

Release Date: June 27th 2025. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Arcane Desert Rituals Vol. 1 - Tracklisting

1.Rivers Of Death 10:11

2.The Empty Hand pt.1

3.Sabbatum Sanctum

4.Ariadne, The Serpent Witch

Members

Giuseppe Guarini: guitars/vocals

Francesco Pensato: bass

Piero Schiavone: drums/synth

Special guests:

Jana Maista: vocals on “Ariadne, The Serpent Witch” and backing vocals on “Sabbatum Sanctum

Review

Italian Psych/Fuzz/Doomsters King Potenaz returns with Arcane Desert Rituals Vol .1 which once again explores the heavy down-tuned and fuzzed up waters of Doom and Stoner Metal. The influences ranging from Black Sabbath, SLEEP, Electric Wizard and KYUSS are once again included but this time round King Potenaz delves further and heavier into the Occult Metal aspect of their sound. There’s a sense of modern day viciousness heard within the Guiseppe Guarini’s majestic raw sounding vocals which becomes quite Electric Wizard obsessive towards the end with flashes of modern day Stoner Rock surroundings before the album is finished.

With a pure DOOMED OUT essence of Seventies Proto-Metal that’s built around a heavier Sludge Metal backdrop where the music is dramatically different with the production values and recording techniques compared to their 2023 acclaimed debut album Ghost Rider. There is a sense of Classic Hard Rock melody that merges with the gloomy synths that drummer Piero Schiavone provides superbly well especially within the closing stages of the epic opening track Rivers Of Death.

Rivers Of Death perfectly captures the SONIC and PSYCHEDELIC essence of King Potenaz at their creative peak where they conjure up DEVILISH grooves and trippy DISTORTED landscapes to build upon their WEEDIAN narrative. The music is played at a perfect slow-to-mid pace which becomes more atmospheric as time passes by. 

King Potenaz aims for pure AMPLIFIER heaviness on the second track The Empty Hand Pt.1 which reminds me of fellow underground doomsters Acid Mammoth in many ways. This track has a wicked sense of Psychedelic deception with the gloomy synths and Shamanic Acid Rock vibes projected from Guiseppe’s vocals and pounding rhythm section courtesy of Francesco Pensato on Bass and Piero Schiavone on Drums. The band include a classic style of GRUNGE to appear and merge with the distorted Sludge Rock elements for a track that has a timeless feel to it all. Long drawn out DESERT ROCK sounds converge with the sudden shift of Fuzzy Stoner Metal urgency with an APOCALYPTIC quality showing through the lyrics. 

Three of the four tracks contained here run between ten minutes to thirteen minutes in length with King Potenaz honing their creative and progressive skills with sublime moments of pure LOW & SLOW heaviness which is completely stripped back allowing the music to offer the listener plentiful moments to ROCK OUT and LOSE THEMSELVES in.

Third track Sabbatum Sanctum is the more OCCULT based track with King Potenaz incorporating a surreal vision to their music which results in DISTORTED PARANOIA with how the music is delivered. The guest vocals from Jana Maista (Bass/Vocals from MATER INFECTA) is a great touch with the song becoming quite surreal which instantly reminds me of a classic Alexander Jodorowsky film. The song is perhaps the most frightening and droned out part of the record which is also my favourite track from the band to date. 

The final track of Ariadne, The Serpent Witch once again sees Jana Maista provide exquisite vocals once more with King Potenaz fully committed to their Drone Metal persona with slowly played instrumental notes and long drawn out passages which has vibes of SUNN 0))) and BONG at times.

However, King Potenaz settled for their trademark Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal grooves. Add a sense of world weary and gloomy Post-Rock based synths that creates a desolate world that becomes more destructive when the full-on and aggressive WEEDIAN melodies appear. Though the track can be too long in places running nearly fourteen minutes in length, the overall journey makes this the other standout track on the album.

Arcane Desert Rituals Vol. 1 is boosted by the immense talents of Marc Urselli who mixed and mastered the record. Marc Urselli released the fantastic Ramones Redux and SteppenDoom projects recently to great acclaim within the Stoner Metal underground scene. He’s done a great job here by providing a raw aesthetic for the band to entice new listeners with. Credit must also goto Stefano Manca who recorded this great album and keeps everything real and grounded with how he captured the band at their most primal.

This is also another first class release from Majestic Mountain Recordings who are now becoming one of the most important labels the scene has to offer next to the other great labels of the scene.

However, this is King Potenaz's chance to shine where they have delivered a record of outstanding quality that leaves their debut album in the dust with more sinister, heavier, exciting and pulse-pounding grooves that demand your complete and full undivided attention.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the promo.

Arcane Desert Rituals Vol. 1 is available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Majestic Mountain Records

Links

https://www.facebook.com/KingPotenaz666
https://www.instagram.com/kingpotenaz666
https://kingpotenaz.bandcamp.com

Black Helium - The Animals Are Coming (Album Review)

Release Date: June 20th 2025. Record Label: Riot Season Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

The Animals Are Coming - Tracklisting

1.Return The Curse 2.Saviour Destroyer 3.Worm Vision 4.They Have Bodies 5.Up On A Hill 6.Inside The Horror Mask 

Members

Stuart Gray (vocals, guitar)

Beck Harvey (bass, vocals)

Diogo Gomes (drums)

Review

Psych Rockers Black Helium return with their fourth record The Animals Are Coming which allows each band member's creative personality to fully shine through which gives this record a more daring “fast and loose” approach compared to their previous albums. There’s more focus on SONIC experimentation from Black Helium as they embrace a heavier, dynamic and self-contained sound that allows this to become their most accessible and riff dominated record to date.

However, Black Helium still excels by playing warped Space Rock movements and extended progressive melodies which adds a heavier style of distorted warped energy through that monolithic “JAZZ” energy that’s a constant driving force for the whole album. With echoes of classic KrautRock, Glitched based noises and a serious Droned Rock attitude forming within the stunning opening track of Return The Curse which lasts over eleven minutes as Black Helium aim for NIGHTMARISH rock and roll excess.

The vocals from Stuart Gray and Beck Harvey once again offer a quality entrance into the band’s surreal and fearless instrumental passages with the distorted surroundings being quite nightmarish, fearless and highly original when the standard grooves appear.

Second track Saviour Destroyer adds a Post-Doom and Psych Rock attitude with Noise Rock arrogance which is matched against a classic Space Rock flavour. The music starts off quite slowly with a TOPSY-TURVY delivery before expanding into slices of Sixties based Psychedelic and Freakish environments that also transforms into areas of Heavy Sludge Rock.

Black Helium channel the likes of Hawkwind and Monster Magnet on the next few tracks but also showing their love and affection for bands from the legendary KrautRock scenes with a dash of Japanese based Freakouts that remains a constant and evolving part of the album to impress long time fans of the band.

Third track Worm Vision sees Black Helium play a subtle Post-Rock style delivery with that elevated Psych Rok attitude that soon aligns the record to a richer, fuller and subtle Space Rock atmosphere. The JAZZY effects are quite sullen with a slow-paced melody forming against the trippy noises, synths, glitches and other wonderfully weird sound effects. 

Black Helium add an experimental Electronica vibe to their music which appears within the subdued fourth track They Have Bodies which has small amounts of intricate Proto-Doom appearing mainly thanks to the expert drumming of Diogo Gomes. Beck Harvey (Bass) and Stuart Gray (Guitar) allow Diogo to conjure up black holes into another world with Beck’s dominant bass rhythms and Stuart’s epic progressive riffs being quite heavy and remotely quiet at the same time.

The final two tracks of Up On A Hill and Inside The Horror Mask is where the old school and real magic happens with Black Helium embracing their new found reflective sound which is matched against their old-school Sludge/Stoner Rock roots. Up On A Hill is cool and welcoming for the first half before the second half becomes chaotic, aggressive with a brooding attitude forming. 

Inside The Horror Mask is a ten minute plus track where Black Helium entice and deceive  listeners in highly dramatic fashion with that highly melodic Post-Rock/Post-Stoner style transforming into a heavier style of freaky HEAVY METAL which is where the band excels and impresses the most.

The Animals Are Coming is another expertly played and brilliantly produced record from Black Helium that once again solidifies their reputation as one of the true original Heavy Psych Rock bands the UK underground has to offer. With stunning production values that offers a warped and fractured SONIC experience that fully rewards Black Helium of completely being in a league of their own making. 

Outstanding. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Black Helium and Riot Season Records for the promo.

The Animals Are Coming is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Riot Season Records

Links

Facebook | BandCamp