Mystic Norwegian Rockers WHITE TUNDRA join forces with Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records

We are proud to welcome WHITE TUNDRA to the Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records family. These visionary heavy voyagers channel the raw power of nature into their music, blending crushing riffs, groovy rhythms and a deep atmospheric sensibility.

Emerging from the northern marshes, WHITE TUNDRA creates sonic journeys that drift across icy tundras and into shadowy forests. Their sound is a thrilling mix of 70s heavy rock and 90s stoner vibes, enriched by elements of doom, black metal and Nordic folklore. With influences ranging from Red Fang to Witchcraft and Skraeckoedlan, they deliver a truly unique and heavy experience.

After making waves with their self-titled debut album in 2023, which earned a place on the Doom Charts and widespread praise throughout the underground scene, WHITE TUNDRA are now back in the studio. The band is currently working on their second full-length album at AutumnSongs Recording Studio, with producer Rhys Marsh behind the console.

The band states, “We’re stoked to be part of the Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records family. This partnership marks a new chapter for WHITE TUNDRA and we’re excited to share the powerful new material we’ve been creating.”

Formed in 2018, WHITE TUNDRA has already released a 7-inch single, an EP, and a debut album through the local label All Good Clean Records. With a solid and inspired lineup now in place, they are ready to reach new heights and captivate a wider audience.

Stay tuned for more news, sneak peeks and upcoming live shows.

Line-up
Steven Kresin – Guitar and vocals
Kjell Andres Nilsen – Lead guitar and vocals
Øyvind Persvik – Bass
Ola Fuglevaag – Drums

Listen and follow the band:

Bandcamp: whitetundra.bandcamp.com
Instagram: instagram.com/whitetundraband
Facebook: facebook.com/WhiteTundraBand

Label info:

Facebook: facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details. 

TORSO - Annihilation Day (Album Review)

Release Date: August 28th 2025. Record Label: APF Records. Formats: CD/DD/Tape/Vinyl

Annihilation Day - Tracklisting

1.THE HALLS RUN RED (Rita’s Death / The Thrill of The Kill / Dorm of The Dead)

2.SATANIC NIRVANA (Tolls of Death / Christine’s Theme / The Sound of Blood) 07:56 video

3.BLAST FURNACE (Killer’s Theme / Vengeance In Their Eyes / Too Many Humans)

4.SHOW YOUR FACE (Christine Kills / Dripping Corpse / Bloodbath to Paydirt)

Members

Graham Bywater

Guest Appearances

Lisa Bywater, Thomas House, Sam Marsh, Paul Waller and Stephen Franklin.

Review

TORSO returns with Annihilation Day and Graham Bywater the creative mastermind behind this sinister effort blends Doom, Sludge, Stoner, Grind, Thrash, Noise Rock and Black Metal to devastating effect which results in TORSO’s most demented and violent record yet. That is saying something after their celebrated 2024 album Brain Cells.

This time round, Graham has a bigger and murderous playground drawing upon his usual style of 1980’s Horror Movies influences allowing TORSO to conjure up the following storyline:

“Annihilation Day is TORSO’s first concept LP. Set on January 1st, 1984, it tells the twisted tale of a small-town university campus invaded by an escaped madman and ex-student on prom night. The town’s fate lies in the hands of two girls, Rita and Christine…and all hell breaks loose!”

Perhaps classic horror styles from John Carpenter and American Horror Stories are the main influence for the storylines but maybe some Italian seediness comes into play as well. Though, lets focus on the music that surrounds itself the violent and sometimes brutally funny storyline comes into play. The music is quite ELECTRONICA obsessed with a grindcore style of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal developing at full throttle within the brilliant opening track of THE HALLS RUN RED (Rita’s Death / The Thrill of The Kill / Dorm of The Dead).

The record is highly volatile, violent and aggressive but also superbly melodic with touches of Prog Metal appearing within the more subdued and outlandish parts of the record. TORSO has allowed some of his friends from the underground scene to be part of the action with appearances from the likes of Paul Waller (OHHMS), Thomas House, Stephen Franklin, Lisa Bywater and Sam Marsh who all provide KILLER support along the way. The vocals are a great mix of different styles that has echoes of 1990’s Alt Metal, Grunge and Shoegaze to give Annihilation Day quite a unique and grizzled sound compared to TORSO’s previous records.

The second and third tracks of SATANIC NIRVANA (Tolls of Death / Christine’s Theme / The Sound of Blood)  and BLAST FURNACE (Killer’s Theme / Vengeance In Their Eyes / Too Many Humans) just amplifies the action to a grislier and seedier level with profounding bursts of NOISE ROCK energy that feels like WHORES jamming out with the likes of MOTORHEAD, TORCHE, SOUNDGARDEN and THE MELVINS. Simply outrageous but one that never feels out of place with TORSO outlining, developing and delivering a Classic Horror Storyline that would have easily been banned under the infamous (UK 1980’s) banned Video Nasties furore / craze if this was ever committed to celluloid. 

Graham does become quite obsessed with Glitchy Noises, Ambient Beats and Psychedelic Synths which has a surreal Tangerine Dream effect that isn’t too dis-similar to modern day Post-Rock sounds before returning to his HORROR OBSESSIVE ways.

The final two tracks of BLAST FURNACE (Killer’s Theme / Vengeance In Their Eyes / Too Many Humans) and SHOW YOUR FACE (Christine Kills / Dripping Corpse / Bloodbath to Paydirt) are perhaps my favourite tracks I’ve heard from TORSO to date. As they’re an expert mix of different styles dripping with gloomy atmospherics with a sudden shift to MASTODON-esque melodies, rhythms and progressive soundscapes whilst still being it’s own thing at the same time.

Annihilation Day is an exhilarating experience from start to finish with a non-stop style of exciting Sludge/Stoner Metal sounds being played that will leave you in a very nervous disposition indeed. This is TORSO’s most technically impressive and cinematically sounding record to date. I’m hoping that Graham will announce some LIVE SHOWS in the future as I want to fully experience and feel the intense music that he’s delivered with this record.

My advice - Be afraid, be very afraid for an outstanding record that will no doubt claim some potential ALBUM OF THE YEAR spots before the year is out.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to APF Records for the promo.

Annihilation Day is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl/Cassette via APF Records.

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

European Stoner Eock Icons LOWRIDER to reissue special 25th anniversary edition of classic debut album "Ode to Io" on Blues Funeral Recordings

The godfathers of European stoner rock LOWRIDER are set to release a special 25th anniversary reissue of their landmark album "Ode to Io" in a limited deluxe edition this September 19th, with preorders available now via Blues Funeral Recordings.

At the dawn of the internet, bands and fans around the world coalesced in the wake of defunct Palm Springs originators Kyuss to craft their own visions of the desert rock sound. Standing foremost among them was Lowrider, whose debut, "Ode to Io", became the blueprint countless others would follow. Stream the full album at this location.

Now, longtime fans and new arrivals can delve into this rumbling chronicle of seminal desert fuzz-heaviness in deluxe remastered glory. Commemorating the 25th anniversary of its original release on September 19, 2000, Lowrider present a towering new reissue of this absolute foundational text for the post-Kyuss stoner rock movement.

“This is the version they didn’t let us do back then — only better. I can’t wait for people to see it”, says singer and bassist Peder Bergstrand. “When we handed in Ode to Io to be printed back in 1999, we had this elaborate silver screen print for the cover. But the external label tasked with making the vinyl were cheapskates. They forced the 2LP playing time into one LP, resulting in subpar audio quality. To finish off, they printed the elaborate silver cover as plain grayscale. Needless to say, we were pretty gutted by the result. Ever since, I’ve dreamt of making THAT version, doing it justice. That is exactly what we’ve done with the 25th anniversary version of ‘Ode to Io'.”

“It’s forever humbling and mindblowing that people care so much about this album, a fourth of a century later. We wanted to do the record justice, and invite fans to see photos and hear stories from that period that we haven’t shared before”.

This limited new special edition of "Ode to Io" will be issued on silver, black and white color merge 2xLP and features previously unpublished photos, essays, liner notes from the band, and updated silverboard packaging and silver-infused art and design.

"Ode to Io" Deluxe Edition - Out September 19th via Blues Funeral Recordings (LP/CD)
Bandcamp // Bluesfuneral.com // SPKR shop

TRACKLIST:

1. Caravan
2. Flat Earth
3. Convoy V
4. Dust Settlin'
5. Sun Devil
6. Anchor
7. Texas Pt. 1 & 2
8. Riding Shotgun
9. Saguaro
10. Ode to Io
11. Lameneshma
12. The Gnome, The Serpent, The Sun
13. Shivaree
14. Ol' Mule Pepe
15. Upon the Dune
16. David William Hughes

As the preeminent band out of the gate in the late 90s post-Kyuss wake, Lowrider's debut EP and seminal album 'Ode to Io' were foundational slabs at the dawn of stoner rock. The swinging metal offshoot grew quickly into a worldwide phenomenon, with Lowrider established as one of its undeniable trailblazers. Following those early releases with a handful of compilation and soundtrack appearances and a period of relative inactivity, the band re-emerged at DesertFest Berlin in 2013. They've since blown minds at Hellfest, Keep it Low, DesertFest London and Belgium, Stoned from the Underground and Up in Smoke, and issued expanded remastered versions of their original records. All that was left was to give the world something new...

Released in early 2020 through Blues Funeral Recordings, Lowrider's long-awaited sophomore album 'Refractions' explodes with all the churning fuzz and expansive riff-heaviness for which the band are beloved, shot through with re-energized purpose and maturity. "Refractions" received widespread acclaim from global critics, landing a top spot on numerous year-end lists. The band has since unleashed an applauded collaborative album with London’s psychedelic doom pillars Elephant Tree, branded "irresistible" by Rolling Stone Magazine and hailed as "one of the most gorgeous releases both bands have ever crafted" by Doom Charts.

Lowrider is currently working on their next album, due to start recording in early 2026. They will perform at this year's Keep it Low Festival (Munich, DE) and DesertFest Belgium (Antwerp, BE) this October in further celebration of their debut album's monumental legacy.

Lowrider links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify | Youtube

Blues Funeral Recordings links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

LOMMI - 667788 (Album Review)

Release Date: August 01st 2025. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records. Formats: DD

667788 - Tracklisting

1.Sayonara

2.Down 

3.Blood Moon

4.Rather

5.Children

6.Electric 

7.Wish

8.Fight

Members

Jens Florén – Vocals, Guitar

Dennis Österdal – Bass

Jörgen Tjusling – Drums

Review

667788 is my first exposure to the Swedish Doom/Stoner Metal powerhouse that is known as LOMMI. I believe this is their third full length album after a lengthy hiatus and with their previous album being released back in 2014. What you have here is a mix of CLUTCH, High On Fire, Black Sabbath, Motorhead and Mastodon based grooves wrapped up in a lovingly THRASH METAL / GROOVE METAL laced package. The sound has a muscular and classic HEAVY RAWK sound running through its veins.

There’s also that classic Swedish Doom/Stoner Metal underground energy that the scene is well known and respected for. The music is direct and very straight to the point with LOMMI using their classic POWER TRIO stance to great effect which generates in some turbo-charged grooves and intense melodies on the superb batch of opening tracks of Sayonara, Down and Blood Moon. 

The vocals from Jens Florén are mostly Groove and Stoner Rock orientated with him selling LOMMI’s classic style of bombastic music which has an air of destructive 1980’s Heavy Metal running throughout whilst keeping with that essential modern day vibe. The lyrics are easy to remember where you can sing along to your heart's content. The record does see a sudden shift into Progressive textures on the longer tracks such as Blood Moon and Children which never loses its melodic focus.

667788 may refer to the hexadecimal colour code for a light greyish blue tone but maybe the band can elaborate on that further though this record is quite a moody, sombre and gritty experience which is boosted by LOMMI’s diversion into areas of Classic Heavy Metal and modern day Doom/Stoner Metal attitude on other tracks such as Rather, Electric, Children and Fight. 

LOMMI have a distinctive sound hiding within the production values of the record as the sound is aggressive and has a sublime PROTO-METAL and PUNK ROCK aesthetic which allows Jens (Guitar/Vocals), Jens (Bass) and Jörgen (Drums) to play to the best of their technical abilities. The album allows LOMMI to have a vital HEAVY METAL presence to them which gives 667788 a more authentic sound, quality and attitude than you can possibly imagine.

CRANK this bad-boy up to the HIGHEST VOLUME possible and PREPARE TO RAWK THE FUCK OUT!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the promo.

667788 is available to buy digitally now via all good digital stockists by Majestic Mountain Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Tharsis - Tharsis (Album Review)

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

Tharsis - Tracklisting

1.Aim Low Get High 06:00

2.There Are No Problems, Only Weed 04:26

3.Less Haste... 04:32

4.Beyond The Reefer 03:34

5.Stonerphobia 04:09

6.Melvin Drag 05:00

7....More Weed 04:38

Review

Instrumental Doom/Stoner Metallers Tharsis debut album is as style of COSMIC DOOM that we’ve heard many times before by the likes of Vinnum Sabbathi and Space Witch but this time round the band add a seedy style of gloomy heaviness to stand on their own creative merits. The record is constantly helped along by a seedy level of Fuzz Rock and fast-paced sludgy psychedelic passages. 

The added use of grounded samples and soundclips allows Tharsis to add a thrilling story and narrative into the mix. There is an extra level of surreal STONER and WEEDIAN humour being added within each individual track which brings a BONGZILLA, CHURCH OF MISERY and WEEDEATER influence for the majority of the tracks.

Tharsis do play around with guitar reverb, amplifier feedback and sudden shifts into low frequency SONIC experimentation with the music being quite dynamic and top loaded with Space Rock melodies which works surprisingly well with the raw-sounding Punk Rock recording techniques used for certain stages of the record.

Standout tracks on the album include: Aim Low Get High, “There Are No Problems, Only Weed”, Beyond The Reefer, and Stonerphobia. The album does become more APOCALYPTIC with Tharsis adding a DOOM & GLOOM presence to their music which gives the whole album a more dangerous feeling with an unexpected style of DRONE METAL appearing that allows some of the heaviest sounds to appear on the record.

Tharsis debut album isn’t going to change the world of Instrumental Doom Metal, however, Tharsis have still created a superb album that should allow them to build a solid foundation for an exciting future within the Doom/Stoner Metal underground scene. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

High on Fire Announces North American Headlining Tour

Iconic U.S. rock band, High on Fire, has announced a North American headlining tour in support of its celebrated LP, 'Cometh the Storm'. In the midst of sold-out summer dates alongside Acid Bath, the GRAMMY Award-winning group details an autumn headliner run that will launch on September 17 in Vancouver, BC. The tour is scheduled to run through September 30 in San Jose, CA and will feature support from Charger and Bastardane. Tickets for all shows are on sale now.

"High on Fire is headed to stages near you," said the band in statement. "Let's get LOUD."

Additionally, High on Fire has been announced as one of the spotlight acts of Sacramento, CA's four-day Aftershock Festival, performing on October 2. For full details, visit this location.

High on Fire tour dates w/ Acid Bath:

August 16 - Baltimore, MD @ Nevermore Hall
August 22 - Hollywood, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
September 13 - Syracuse, NY @ Sharkeys Event Center

'Cometh the Storm' autumn North American tour 2025:

September 17 - Vancouver, BC @ The Pearl
September 19 - Edmonton, BC @ The Starlite Room
September 20 - Calgary, AB @ Dickens
September 21 - Great Falls, MT @ The Newberry
September 24 - Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep
September 25 - Fort Collins, CO @ The Coast
September 26 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Commonwealth Room
September 28 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Usual Place
September 29 - Costa Mesa, CA @ The Wayfarer
September 30 - San Jose, CA @ The Ritz
October 2 - Sacramento, CA @ Discovery Park (as part of Aftershock Fest w/ Testament, Carcass, Nails + more)
October 17 - Jacumba Hot Springs, CA @ Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel (as part of Jacumba Breakdown Fest)

Following the North American dates, High on Fire will kick off a sixteen-city, nine country European tour on October 25 in Maastricht, Netherlands. The tour is scheduled to run through November 16 in Istanbul, Turkey and will include high profile appearances as part of the Samhain Festival (NL), Bruges is Doomed (BE), and the Damnation Festival (UK). Support to High on Fire on non-festival dates will come from Necrot.

High on Fire 'Cometh the Storm' autumn European tour 2025:

October 25 - Maastrichtm NL @ Samhain Festival (w/ Author & Punisher, Conan, more)
October 26 - Bruges, BE @ Bruges is Doomed (w/ Conan, more)
October 28 - Berlin, DE @ Neue Zukunft *
October 29 - Brno CZ @ Kabinet MUZ *
October 30 - Vienna, AT @ Arena Wien *
October 31 - Munich, DE @ Hansa 39 *
November 1 - Milan, IT @ Legend Club *
November 2 - Martigny, CH @ Les Caves du Manoir *
November 4 - Wiesbaden, DE @ Kesselhaus *
November 5 - Essen, DE @ Turock *
November 6 - London, UK @ Electric Ballroom *
November 8 - Manchester, UK @ Damnation Festival (w/ Deafheaven, The Haunted, more)
November 11 - Athens, GR @ Kyttaro Club
November 12 - Thessaloniki, GR @ Mylos
November 15 - Cankaya/Ankara, TR @ 6:45 KK
November 16 - Istanbul, TR @ Blind

* = Necrot supporting

Thanks to Action PR for all of the details

Cosmic/Doom/Stoner Metallers SPACE WITCH Announce New Album MOUNTAINS OF NEPTUNE Due Out on Halloween 2025

Space Witch, the renowned stoner doom metal band, are releasing their highly anticipated new album, “Mountains of Neptune,” on Halloween 2025. 

This 37+ minute instrumental masterpiece marks their first album in eight years and will be available for free download from spacewitch.bandcamp.com and on all major streaming platforms. 

The album was recorded at the Lizard Lounge (Stoke on Trent) mixed/mastered by guitarist and band mainstay Daz Rowlands. The artwork, created by the talented graphics designer and female doom soloist Cosmic Eve, adds to the album’s visual appeal.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Superseed - Tremor (Album Review)

Release Date: August 01st 2025. Record Label: Savage Magic Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Tremor - Tracklisting

1.Stand Your Ground 

2.Ball & Chain 

3.Big Mistake 

4.Tremor

5.Wake

6.Hail Brother

7.Get It Straight

8.Give Me Something

9.Towards The Sun

10.Mage Rager

Members

David Edgar - Guitar/Vocals

Ben Taylor - Guitar/Vocals

Keith Bowers - Bass

Matt Colley - Drums

Review

Superseed second album Tremor builds upon the glorious melodies and rhythms they captured on their acclaimed 2019 debut album with the band playing an exhilarating style of Grunge, Alt Rock, Hard Rock and Stoner Rock. This time round the band have aligned themselves further into the Stoner Rock atmosphere with a great collection of tracks to back up their immense talent with.

Taking influences from the likes of Alice In Chains, Foo Fighters, Black Sabbath and QOTSA. There’s some spicy Desert Rock vibes which draw the likes of KYUSS and FU MANCHU into the mix. With an assortment of gloriously hip POP and PUNK ROCK sounds being added along the way then Superseed aren’t your typical Hard Rock/Stoner Rock combo. The band mostly develops a subtle 1990’s Alt Rock energy with the first batch of tracks Stand Your Ground, Ball & Chain and Big Mistake. 

The vocals from David Edgar and Ben Taylor compliment each other very well with a huge Dave Grohl influence being heard throughout. The band still develop their Doom/Stoner Rock sound at the right opportunity which gives Tremor an extra level of warped heaviness. There’s something for everyone to enjoy here if they’re dedicated followers of the ROCK and METAL scenes. Superseed fully comes alive when they play fast-paced grooves that come at you from every direction possible. 

This is the type of album that FOO FIGHTERS would be proud to call their own as it’s superbly entertaining throughout and full of songs that would go down a storm on mainstream radio especially Big Mistake, Tremor, Wave, Give Me Something and Mage Rager. The second half of the album is perhaps where the heaviest, catchiest and thrilling grooves appear though the first half is still a wicked slice of pure STONER ROCK heaven.

The production values are exquisite with Superseed firing on all cylinders for an album that allows them to play music at a breakneck speed. If you want a Stoner Rock album that’s not afraid to LOUD, BOISTEROUS, AGGRESSIVE and shower you in some killer commercial rock sounds whilst still being part of the HEAVY UNDERGROUND scene then Tremor is that album.

Tremor is first rate entertainment from start to finish. Check this out when you can.

Words by Steve Howe

You can buy TREMOR from the links below:

https://superseedrock.bandcamp.com/ for UK/EU orders

https://savagemagicrecords.bandcamp.com for US/ROW orders.

Links

https://superseedrock.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/superseedrock/
https://www.instagram.com/superseedrock
https://www.youtube.com/@superseedrock

Demonsmoke - Resin Wrought (Album Review)

Release Date: July 25th 2025. Record Label: Transylvanian Recordings. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Resin Wrought - Tracklisting

1.Caustic Truth 04:12

2.Earth Monkey 05:17

3.Onset 01:09

4.Inebriated Muff 04:44

5.Eternal Abyss 05:36

6.Blunt Forced Trauma 04:09

7.Resin Wrought 06:30

Members

Vox // Cam

Guitar // Spence

Bass // Boug

Drums // Mitch

Review

Doom/Sludge Metallers Demonsmoke have arisen from their filth ridden pit of misery and despair with their brutal new album Resin Wrought. The band released their debut album back in 2017 and it’s good to have the guys back wrecking more filth upon the underground masses. Influenced by the likes of BONGZILLA, WEEDEATER, and IRON MONKEY, this is Doom/Sludge Metal with a more extreme appetite with Demonsmoke getting right down into the grimy surroundings of the underground scene.

The vocals from Cam are violent and nasty where he fully commits to his role with supreme confidence especially where the harsh growls become more primal. Cam’s vocals are quite easy to understand and decipher which gives the lyrics an extra level of extreme heaviness and shows Demonsmoke’s aren’t afraid to lay down a path of true brutality throughout the album.

The music can be quite PROGRESSIVE with Demonsmoke playing multitude different styles of decaying filth and heaviness where everything is overlapping with AMPLIFIER DISTORTION and DOWN-TUNED melodies which pushes the STONER METAL vibes which appear is short doses into the proverbial DEEP DARK ABYSS of SONIC MISERY. Though, I love Demonsmoke’s frequent visits into Psych Metal surroundings on this record which gives this album a deep meaningful style of SENSORY and COSMIC heaviness on tracks such as Caustic Truth, Earth Monkey and Eternal Abyss.

Resin Wrought feels like you’ve taken the most powerful and SATANIC strand of WEED possible where it takes you upon a nightmarish and hallucinogenic journey where it makes you question your very own existence. The instrumental sounds that Demonsmoke plays on this record can be quite melodic and even allows the band to play a more straightforward “riff-centric” style in the sullen Psychedelic and NOLA based passages.

However, for the most part, Demonsmoke are happy to live, breathe and exist in the same universe as BONGZILLA and WEEDEATER. Though, the whole tone is way more nihilistic and apocalyptic which makes you appreciate the destructive tone a whole lot more and when the band add creepy soundbytes then you can’t fully help yourself but nod or rock out in full agreement.

This album is pure WEEDIAN FILTH of the highest order and if you like your music on the more EXTREME side of life then DEMONSMOKE is here to answer your DEMONIC and SATANIC prayers!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram