Maha Sohona - A Dark Place (Album Review)

Release Date: November 21st 2025. Record Label: Bonebag Records: Formats: Digital/Vinyl

A Dark Place - Tracklisting

Liquid Motion Medicine - 8:26
Visions - 9:32
Uddh- 4:09
Voyagers - 7:49
Ostera - 8:38
The Long Way Home - 10:33

Lineup

Johan Bernhardtson – Guitar, Vocals
Thomas Hedlund – Bass
Erik Andersson – Drums

Review

Swedish Prog/Doom/Stoner Metallers Maha Sohona return with their latest record A Dark Place that sees the band lean heavier and further into the Space Rock abyss of Post-Doom and Post-Grunge melodies. There’s a trippy and stripped back atmosphere that appears on the record with the band inspired by the likes of Alice In Chains, TOOL and ELDER with some wonderfully subversive distorted FUZZY guitars within the excellent opening track Liquid Motion Medicine.

The track does have distinctive classic Grunge energy running throughout its creative core with a storytelling narrative that moves closer to a Prog Metal narrative. There’s a sudden shift into areas of Cinematic Rock which brings a heavier Cosmic flavour to the record with lead vocalist Johan Bernhardtson providing delicate tones before unleashing an aggressive attitude as the song moves on. With a haunting Ambient and Psychedelic score developing throughout, Maha Sohona feel like a different band compared to their celebrated 2021 album Endless Searcher.

Second track Visions is another cautionary offering with Maha Sohona aligning themselves to a style of Shoegaze and Post-Rock whilst keeping themselves closely to the boundaries of Post-Doom, Grunge and Atmospheric Sludge which starts rather low-key and closely guarded. This all changes when the band changes musical direction and heads straight into Post-Metal rhythms that remind me of ISIS (The Band) in places. The song has a wicked and deceptive take of Alt-Metal with the TOOL progressive mannerisms being heard from time-to-time. Maha Sohona keep things grounded when they slow the mood right down and return to the more emotionally engaging style of Ambient Post-Rock which kicks into Progressive Stoner Metal overdrive for the catchiest, heaviest and technically impressive melodies heard on the whole album.

Third track Uddh is Maha Sohona on more conventional ground with a self contained track that is emotionally satisfying with the band moving into areas of melodic Post-Rock and keeping the level of HEAVY RAWK down to the bare minimum. This has a lovely flow and highly satisfying energy with Johan’s vocals perhaps leaning into the spectrum of Stadium Rock whilst keeping everything within a loving Post-Stoner attitude. The delicate flourishes of Ambient Rock and Doom-Pop landscapes shows a different side to Maha Sohona which they fully deserve credit for actually exploring on this album.

Fourth track Voyagers sees Maha Sohona return to the heavy SPACED OUT DOOM arena for a song with deeper purpose and meaning which adds a Sludgy destructive element that the band just run crazy with. Everything becomes more fractured and distorted as the song transforms into a Post-Grunge and Prog-Metal afterthought of different textures which allows the band to offer another wonderful cinematic journey where the RIFFS showcase why the Swedish Doom/Stoner Metal scene is one of the most dominant and creative scenes currently out there. 

I have to give credit to Maha Sohona’s triumphant rhythm section of Thomas Hedlund (Bass) and Erik Anderson (Drums) as they both put in beautiful understated musical performances but they really deliver when the heavy grooves demand a powerful rhythm section to build their sonic message upon. Johan’s guitars are full of DESTRUCTIVE INTENT for the most part but all three members really come together within the final two tracks of Ostera and The Long Way Home.

These two tracks show the bands original musical vision coming into their own when they blend Post-Metal mysticism with Post-Stoner romanticism which elevates their music into something quite therapeutic and emotionally healing especially within Ostera. You can hear other influences such as PELICAN and RUSSIAN CIRCLES emerging before Maha Sohona once again rely on their Progressive Doom and Stoner Metal surroundings. 

A Dark Place is a brilliantly realized musical adventure brought to life with true CINEMATIC themes that develops throughout for a record that’s quite downbeat in places but one that’s superbly uplifting before everything is said and done. Maha Sohona are one of the best kept secrets within the Swedish Underground Rock/Metal scene who will no doubt achieve greater recognition from the wider scene thanks to this incredible album.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Sheltered Life PR for the promo.

A Dark Place is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Bonebag Records

Links

Bandcamp | Spotify | Website | Instagram | Facebook

Stoner Doom Titans BELZEBONG to return with new album "The End Is High" on Heavy Psych Sounds; first track "420 Horsemen" streaming!

Poland's Stoner/Doom royalty BELZEBONG have signed to Heavy Psych Sounds Records for the release of their first album in nearly a decade, "The End Is High". Stream an intoxicating first excerpt ahead of its world release on February 20th, 2026.

Stream Belzebong's trippy new track "420 Horsemen"

The skies crack, the world coughs, and the smoke clears only to reveal the end. From the depths of the riff-choked void, Belzebong return with a new sermon for the final days: "The End Is High". Recorded and mixed by Satanic Audio at Sound of Records, this new chapter drags you deeper into your doom — where the incense burns green, and time moves slower than death itself. This is the soundtrack for the final procession. No salvation. No redemption. Bong. Fire. Death.

"On ‘The End Is High’, Belzebong conjure some of their dankest jams yet in full sonic fury (the recording captures it all beautifully). All of them bear the trademark Belzebong songcraft. The band has always had a knack of building on a few catchy ideas, building dire atmosphere around them, and doubling down on slow, powerful grooves," states Doomed & Stoned editors.

BELZEBONG "The End Is High" - Out February 20th on Heavy Psych Sounds (LP/CD/digital)

Poland’s loudest riff dealers Belzebong have been spreading their fuzz-drenched gospel of bong metal since 2008. With no vocals and no compromises, they summon crushing instrumentals soaked in doom, sludge, and psychedelic haze. Their hypnotic live shows and cult-like following have turned them into underground legends, delivering slow, sinister grooves straight from the green abyss.

With acclaimed albums like "Sonic Scapes & Weedy Grooves", "Greenferno" and "Light the Dankness", Belzebong have toured extensively across Europe and the U.S., leaving trails of blown minds and smoke-filled venues in their wake. Belzebong is not just a band: it’s a ritual of riff worship for those who live by the fuzz and die by the bong.

Belzebong upcoming shows

21.11 - Radebeul (Ger) Barnyard Club
22.11 - Jena (Ger) Kuba
23.11 - Prague (Cz) Modrá Vopice
25.11 - Brno (CZ) Kabinet Muz
26.11 - Bratislava (SK) Žalár
27.11 - Vienna (At) Arena
28.11 - Graz (At) Explosiv Club
29.11 - Salzburg (At) Dome Of Rock Festival
30.11 - Munich (Ger) Backstage
02.12 - Frankfurt (Ger) Ponyhof
03.12 - Paris (Fr) Backstage By The Mill
04.12 - Nantes (Fr) Le Ferrailleur
05.12 - Lille (Fr) Bulle Café
06.12 - Utrecht (NL) Db's
07.12 - Eindhoven (NL) Café The Jack
08.12 - Düsseldorf (Ger) Pitcher
10.12 - Münster (Ger) Rare Guitar
11.12 - Hamburg (Ger) Hafenklang
12.12 - Oldenburg (Ger) Cadillac
13.12 - Berlin (Ger) Wild At Heart

Belzebong lineup

Sheepy Dude - Bass
Alky Dude - Guitar
Cheesy Dude - Guitar
Hexy Dude - Drums

Belzebong links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Heavy Psych Sounds links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Drone Doom Voyagers OWLS OVER OAKS Sign to Argonauta Records

Argonauta Records is proud to welcome OWLS OVER OAKS to its roster. Emerging from the depths of Italy’s extreme underground, the trio delivers a formidable blend of extreme drone doom that expands the limits of darkness and despair.

Founded in 2022 by Valerio “Leynir” Possetto, former bassist of Enisum, OWLS OVER OAKS reached its definitive form in 2024 with the addition of two highly respected figures in the Italian extreme scene. Elisa “Aeretica” Iacopini, former vocalist of Amethista, and Roberto “Bob Rip” Ripollino, drummer also active with Nihili Locus and Nerocapra, joined the project to complete a vision that is as uncompromising as it is immersive.

Leynir acts as the sole composer and lyricist, shaping a sound that is crushing, hypnotic and entirely personal. The band’s debut album O.O.O., the first chapter of a planned trilogy, was recorded entirely in analog. It stands out for its radical use of dual bass lines, both performed by Leynir, and the complete absence of guitars. This choice magnifies the album’s monolithic weight. Structured in three long tracks for a total running time of about forty minutes, O.O.O. is conceived as a single apocalyptic litany, a slow descent into pain, perdition, and blindness, wrapped in a pitch black atmosphere inspired by the bleak world of Mad Max.

Their debut single Owls, mastered by James Plotkin, introduces this desolate world with overwhelming intensity and sets the tone for what is to come.

OWLS OVER OAKS craft a totalizing sonic experience where every note drips with darkness and every silence trembles with impending catastrophe.

Listen to the edit version of "Owls" here: https://song.link/owlsoveroaks_ow

INFO:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580855993123
https://www.instagram.com/owlsoveroaks/
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

Winds Of Neptune - Winds Of Neptune (Album Review)

Release Date: November 21st 2025. Record Label: Small Stone Records: Formats: CD/Digital

Winds Of Neptune - Tracklisting

1.The Faun's Rhyme 

2.Gas Giant

3.La Cacciata

4.Temporal Mutant

5.U.S.L.

6.So Sayeth The Mouth of the Void

7.The Fitz

8.Queen of Sumatra

Lineup

Ross Westerbur: bass, vocals

Mike Alonso: drums

Kevin Roberts: guitar

Review

Winds Of Neptune is a Heavy Psych/Stoner Rock band from Detroit who are made up of three musicians from the local scene including Mike Alonso from the legendary Flogging Molly. The band play a great style of Heavy Psychedelic Stoner Rock that’s merged with huge elements of Classic Hard Rock, Space Rock, Blues Rock and Grunge. Imagine THIN LIZZY playing modern day Stoner Rock but still allowing their dominant Classic Hard Rock to shine through and that’s what you get with Winds Of Neptune stunning debut album. 

The first half of the album mostly concentrates on Classic Rock for the most part with Winds Of Neptune taking influence from the likes of Thin Lizzy, Black Sabbath, BUDGIE, Aerosmith and Deep Purple. Though, if you look beyond this classic rock influences, Winds Of Neptune harnesses a subtle modern day STONER energy which aligns them closely to the likes of WO-FAT, MOTHERSHIP and CLUTCH but still playing a great style of their own making. The music does offer brief amounts of Blues Rock surroundings with that legendary Seventies HARD ROCK sound allowing Winds Of Neptune to branch out into areas of Spaced Out Rock on the second half of the album.

The first half of the album moves along at a stunning fast-pace with Winds Of Neptune constructing a Prog Rock landscape that makes their music last for quite a long time in places and that’s no bad thing especially on tracks such as Gas Giant, La Cacciata and Temporal Mutant amping up the Psych Rock stakes to maximum levels of genuine excitement. There’s some hidden shifts into Sludge Rock melodies though it’s kept to a fair minimum as Winds Of Neptune are mostly about that Classic Hard Rock style. The vocals are excellent from Ross Westerbur who taps into the glorious heyday of Seventies Hard Rock and Nineties Old-School STONER ROCK dominance when the time calls for this. 

The dynamic guitars of Kevin Roberts brings a heavy PSYCHEDELIC and COSMIC flavour when Winds Of Jupiter just move into areas of dramatic Space Rock territory on the second half of the album. Mike Alonso is a whirlwind of nature on drums showcasing why he’s so highly regarded. Hell, all of the musicians are legends of the local Detroit scene and they all prove their worth here with first class musical performances.

As I said, the second half of the album becomes more spaced out with Winds Of Neptune becoming riff-loving ASTRONAUTS on tracks such as So Sayeth The Mouth of the Void, The Fitz and Queen of Sumatra where you can hear echoes of the likes of MONSTER MAGNET and FU MANCHU not too far off into the distance. The sound is brilliantly organic especially when unexpectedly they start relying on their Classic Rock roots for a fuller, richer and aggressive sound which veers into GRUNGE sensibilities along the way.

The record runs for over an hour in length but this album is ALL KILLER AND NO FILLER. It’s jam-packed full of outstanding landscapes and wicked instrumental solos that you’ll be listening to this album for a very long time to come. 

Winds Of Neptune is first class entertainment and hopefully this will allow the band to gain a loyal dedicated following within the global Stoner Rock scene. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Earsplit PR for the promo.

Winds Of Neptune is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Small Stone Records.

Links

https://windsofneptune.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/windsofneptune
https://www.facebook.com/windsofneptune
https://www.smallstone.com

Mothertomb - Beware (Single Review)

Release Date: October 01st 2025. Record Label: Self Released: Formats: CD/Digital

Beware - Tracklisting

Beware

Lineup

Alice Gawlinski: Vocals

Chance Gawlinski: Guitar

Alton Minor: Bass

Mike Benitez: Percussion

Review

Mothertomb is a Doom Metal Band who have recently released their debut single BEWARE from their forthcoming debut album that will be released in 2026. Fronted by the impressive vocal talents of Alice Gawlinski who brings an emotionally charged performance on the BEWARE. You could say the most dominant influence for the band is WINDHAND but Mothertomb add a gloomy Shoegaze and Grunge sound to their music. There’s the increasing appearance of Psychedelic, Doom and Stoner Metal surroundings within BEWARE though it does take for the band to add these elements of music into the song.

The song is quite deceptive with the heavy melodies as they open the track with a slow-to-mid paced Shoegaze aspect before fully exploding into a Psychedelic Doomed Out Force Of Nature with stripped back recording techniques that gives a more vibrant and ethereal vibe to the whole track. Mothertomb add areas of the OCCULT and GOTHIC sensibilities within the later stages of Beware with little outbursts of Thrash and Groove Metal just for the sheer hell of it.

Beware is an intriguing and superbly executed proposition from MOTHERTOMB which has me excited to hear more from their upcoming debut album in 2026. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram | DistroKid

Dune Aurora - Ice Age Desert (Album Review)

Release Date: November 21st 2025. Record Label: Argonauta Records (Octopus Rising): Formats: CD/Digital

Ice Age Desert - Tracklisting

Gateway

Tundra

Burning Waters

Crocodile

Trapdoor

Sunless Queen

Dune Chameleon

Fire (Extended Version 2025)

Se Ponga El Sol

Lineup

Ginny Wagon (vocals, guitar)

Roberta Finiguerra (bass, backing vocals)

Serena Bodratto (drums, backing vocals)

Review

Heavy Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers Dune Aurora finally unleash their highly anticipated debut album Ice Age Desert which sees them aligned to premiere Powerhouse Record Label Argonauta Records imprint Octopus RIsing. Dune Aurora is inspired by the likes of Acid King, Uncle Acid and Ruby The Hatchet with some wicked darkly sonic expeditions into areas of Grunge, Desert Rock and Occult Rock. The whole record moves across different areas of the Heavy Rock spectrum with Dune Aurora keeping themselves fully accustomed to the underground rock scene where they play a great style of monolithic and fuzzy surroundings with highly passionate vocals appearing from all members of the band.

Lead vocalist Ginny Wagon impresses throughout with excellent support from Roberta Finiguerra (Bass) and Serena Bodratto (Drums) providing backing vocals. When they all appear together there’s a destructive emotional quality that makes Dune Aurora fully standout amongst their musical peers. The sudden flashes of dominant Sludge Rock attitude sees the band become a heavier, aggressive and more thrilling unit especially within the opening tracks of Gateway, Tundra and Burning Waters. Ice Age Desert offers an ice-cold style of classic Desert Rock landscapes with heavy OCCULT overtones that sees an epic POST-DOOM / SHOEGAZE effect emerging with what sounds like ACID KING jamming ideas with WINDHAND but for a modern Doomed Out audience. 

The record is superbly recorded with Dune Aurora drawing upon the legendary talents of James Plotkin for mastering duties. Throw in the excellent work handled by Davide Donvito on recording and mixing duties then you have an album that sounds remarkably fresh and modern whilst aiming for that classic Nineties Desert Rock, Stoner Rock and Grunge based sound. 

Dune Aurora even finds the time to add elements of Alt Rock into the mix on tracks such as Crocodile, Trapdoor, Sunless Queen and Fire. Everything still retains its sense of Doom, Occult and Stoner Rock authenticity whilst having a GOTHIC attitude appearing within the lyrics. Dune Aurora reminds me of much missed Doom Rockers HIGH PRIESTESS in many ways who sadly called it quits back in November 2023. Both bands played their own great style of Doom/Stoner Metal but with Dune Aurora adding a riffier modern Fuzz/Stoner Rock perspective. 

I will admit I can hear echoes of COHEED & CAMBRIA within Dune Aurora’s style of progressive storytelling though I maybe imagining that aspect but it’s a refreshing change of pace of how the lyrics and creative outline of the album is fully delivered throughout the album.

Ice Age Desert is a superb debut album with Dune Aurora leaving a trail of highly destructive STONER ROCK energy behind them and in this form nothing can stand in their way in obtaining some form of greatness within the next eighteen months or so

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for all of the info.

Ice Age Desert is available to buy now on CD and Digital Download via Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records.

Links

https://www.facebook.com/duneaurora21
https://www.instagram.com/duneaurora
https://duneaurora.bandcamp.com/

Austin Heavy Rockers DEMONS MY FRIENDS to reissue debut album "Demons Seem To Gather" on Ripple Music; new video "Ghosts Of You" available!

Austin, TX heavy rock powerhouse Demons My Friends unleash a stirring new video to celebrate the special LP and CD reissue of their debut album "Demons Seem To Gather", available on January 16th through Ripple Music.

Get spellbound by their new video Ghosts Of You

Initially released in 2023, Demons My Friends' debut full-length "Demons Seem To Gather" is a powerhouse blend of drop-tuned grunge riffs, doom structures, soaring melodies, groove-laden rhythms and psychedelic harmonies. Sonic touchstones include Monolord, King Buffalo, All Them Witches and Soundgarden, while their musicianship brilliantly transcends most genre trappings. The album was recorded at Red Nova Ranch in Austin, TX and Soga Records in Jiutepec, Mexico; produced and mixed by Jeff Henson at Red Nova Ranch in Austin, TX; mastered for vinyl by Esben Willems (Monolord) at Studio Berserk in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Demons My Friends have recently signed a worldwide deal with Ripple Music for the release of their upcoming sophomore album in the spring of 2026. Stay tuned for more info!

Demons My Friends "Demons Seem To Gather" reissue
Out January 16th on Ripple Music (LP/CD)
International preorder - US preorder

"A highly captivating and first rate release." - Outlaws of the Sun

"The trio can bring big riffs as well as surprisingly dense, climactic hooks that help shake up their pacing, introducing drama into their luxuriously groovy pacing.” - Invisible Oranges

"A face-melting mix of sludgy power chords, thunderous drumming, Black Sabbath-meets-Soundgarden/Alice In Chains-like solos and crooned vocals with an expansive song structure." - Joy of Violent Movement

Demons My Friends, whose three members originate from Mexico City, was born during an impromptu recording session at SXSW Festival 2022 in Austin, TX. The concept of their debut album "Demons Seem To Gather" (2023) explores the inner journey its members have embarked on since the onset of the COVID pandemic, confronting inner demons and battling anxiety, depression, self-doubt, and rage, while teaching themselves how to turn these demons into their "friends". Their sound is both emotionally charged and adventurous, mixing raw power with a sense of reflective moodiness, while the lyrical themes often deal with personal struggles, societal matters, and the complexities of human experience with a touch of existential or philosophical contemplation.

As part of the promotion of "Demons Seem To Gather", Demons My Friends provided tour support for Bruce Dickinson and Graveyard in Mexico, and also performed at major festivals like Levitation, SXSW, Mexico Metal Fest and Ripplefest Texas.

Demons My Friends is

Pablo Anton – Guitars and vocals
Lu Salinas – Bass and vocals
Tarro Martinez – Drums

Demons My Friends links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Ripple Music links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details

Italian Heavy Rockers OREYEON to release new album "The Grotesque Within" on February 13th via Heavy Psych Sounds. "Echoes Of Old Nightmares" video out now!

Northern Italy's stoner rock stalwarts OREYEON return with their fourth full-length “The Grotesque Within” on Heavy Psych Sounds Records this February 13th, and unleash the fuzzed-out power of their new single and video "Echoes Of Old Nightmares" today!

Watch Oreyeon's new video Echoes Of Old Nightmares

"Echoes of Old Nightmares" marks a return to Oreyeon's roots, revisiting their early hardcore energy while reshaping it into a more expansive, atmospheric form. The track serves as a bridge between fuzz-fueled aggression and haunting introspection, setting the tone for the grotesque world that defines the album’s concept. It’s both a reflection on where the band came from and an invitation into a darker, surreal new chapter.

Recorded in the winter of 2025 between Outside Inside Studio in Treviso and their own home studio, their fourth full-length “The Grotesque Within” marks a raw and uncompromising chapter in Oreyeon's sound. The record weaves a dense narrative inspired by the unsettling atmosphere found in the works of Thomas Ligotti, where reality constantly threatens to unravel and horror seeps into the everyday.

"Much like Ligotti’s existential tales, "The Grotesque Within" doesn’t simply portray darkness: it observes how the absurd and the horrific have become indistinguishable from our modern reality. Each track is a confrontation with the bizarre, the dissonant, and the disturbingly familiar. This is not just an album. It’s a descent into the uncanny that already surrounds us," the band explains.

OREYEON "The Grotesque Within" - Out February 13th on Heavy Psych Sounds (LP/CD/digital)

TRACKLIST:

1. Echoes of old nightmares
2. Nothing but impurites - Part 1
3. Nothing but impurites - Part 2
4. The Grotesque within
5. Something over there
6. I'm your mistake
7. Dead puppet eyes

Formed in 2014 in northern Italy, Oreyeon emerged from the convergence of musicians who previously played in bands such as Woodwall, Mexican Mud and Army of Angry Youth. From the outset, the quartet showed an affinity for heavy riff-based rock, drawing on 70s hard rock foundations (notably the early days of Black Sabbath) and combining them with stoner, doom and more progressive influences.

Their debut album "Builders of Cosmos" arrived in 2016, establishing their presence in the heavy rock/stoner scene with monolithic guitars, deep bass, and melodic vocals. Heavy Psych Sounds Records Over time, Oreyeon evolved: their second album "Ode to Oblivion" (2019) marked a shift toward a more elaborate, melodic approach, still heavy, but with increased vocal harmonies and richer textures. In June 2022, they released "Equations for the Useless", their third studio album via Heavy Psych Sounds Records. The record was captured mostly live and presents a more psychedelic and progressive side while retaining the heavy riff-driven core of their sound.

In 2023, the band contributed to the split EP "Doom Sessions Vol.8" alongside Tuscany’s doom outfit Lord Elephant. Among their contributions was a cover of Slo Burn’s “Wheel Fall”, signalling Oreyeon’s willingness to pay homage to underground heavy rock lineage while injecting their own grungy/stoner touch. As of 2025, Oreyeon continue to refine their sound, heavy but evolving, carving a space in the modern heavy/stoner/psych rock spectrum. Their trajectory shows both reverence for past heavy rock traditions and a deliberate push into more textured, complex songwriting.

OREYEON lineup

Pietro Virgilio - Drums
Richard Silvaggio - Bass / Vocals

Andrea Ricci - Guitar
Matteo Signanini - Guitar

OREYEON links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

A Gram Trip - Bud Ends And Glass Bottoms

Release Date: November 21st 2025. Record Label: Self Released: Formats: DD/Vinyl

Bud Ends And Glass Bottoms - Tracklisting

1.Flesh And Wires 

2.Dope Palace

3.Morphine 

4.Next Station: Devastation 

5.Pepeliaris

6.Drunk On A Camel

7.Via Dolorosa

Review

Bud Ends And Glass Bottoms is the second full length album from Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers A Gram Trip who tap into the similar downbeat and down-tuned madness perfected by the likes WEEDEATER and BONGZILLA with the main emphasis on dirge ridden grooves with a ton of WEEDIAN filth being added to the mix. The vocals are harsh throughout but quite easy to understand with them occasionally going over into DEATH based growls from time to time.

The record fully sells its gloomy and depressing STONER vision from the very start with opening track Flesh And Wires being quite demonic and utterly downbeat at times. However, there’s a sense of seedy fun within the musical passages that remains cautiously grounded by its Sludge Metal surroundings. The levels of SABBATHIAN fuzz are heard throughout with the lyrics being quite nihilistic as well. A Gram Trip play mostly slow-to-mid extended instrumental jams but they do sometimes play a faster style of music when the time calls for this.

Second track Dope Palace is influenced by ELECTRIC WIZARD and SLEEP if they ever went on Blackened Sludge Metal makeover with the album taking a more sinister EXTREME style with it’s down-tuned melodies and harsh landscapes moving towards a thrilling progressive climax. The delicate levels of FUZZ transforms into surreal areas of meditative DOOM and transcending Psych Metal within the later stages of the track which makes this one of the standout tracks on the album. A Gram Trip shows great movements  of originality within their music that allows the record to be quite different from where it first started from.

Third track Morphine sees A Gram Trip experiment with trippy Psychedelic and Spaced Out passages for the first part before venturing back into their normal style of decaying filthy style of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal where they find a great counterbalance of holding everything together. The vocals are superbly delivered with the harsh momentum being grounded and highly effective for A Gram Trip to fully sell their bleak creative vision. There are waves of DISTORTION which can be uncompromising to experience at first but this works superbly well with A Gram Trip demonstrating their style of WEEDIAN METAL to great effect.

Fourth track Next Station: Devastation is a more straightforward and fast-paced affair with A Gram Trip focusing on delivering a classic style of Doom/Stoner Metal. There is an outburst of Blackened Doom Metal appearing with aggressive vocals that allows A Gram Trip to play some of the heaviest, filthiest and fastest grooves on the album. 

Fifth track Pepeliaris has a classic NOLA energy building up from the very start with a kick-ass modern Psych Metal drive that allows A Gram Trip to develop their own great style of Stoner Metal with some intense SONIC delivery being played throughout this track. You can even detect small levels of SPACED OUT DOOM forming with the band opting for this song to be purely an instrumental track. This is my favourite track on the whole album as A Gram Trip explore different areas of the Psychedelic Metal spectrum whilst giving this a violent metallic edge to lose yourself in.

The final two tracks of Drunk On Came and Via Dolorosa sees A Gram Trip tap into the surreal areas of Stoner Metal once more with downbeat and intense lyrics having a violent effect when matched against their down-tuned grooves and distorted riffs that rule the creative landscape. There are still great examples of SONIC DISTORTION and WEEDIAN MANIPULATION that A Gram Trip provides within the fourteen minutes time frame of these two great tracks.

Bud Ends And Glass Bottoms is a downbeat and violent experience with A Gram Trip brilliantly selling their nightmarish Stoner Metal vision from start to finish that left me wholly satisfied for a long time to come.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

U.S. Chritmas (USX) - Cannibals Of Unaka (Album Review)

Release Date: October 17th 2025. Record Label:: Pax Aeternum Digital: Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Cannibals Of Unaka - Tracklisting

1.Downside Of The Dark Side Of The Sunshine 08:59
2.A Death Song 08:15
3.Unkaas Bleeding On Stone 04:40
4.Hearts Rumble In The Dark 08:09
5.Slow Slide Sleep 13:22

Review

Psychedelic Doom Metallers U.S. Christmas makes a welcome return with their sixth album Cannibals Of Unaka which is their first album in over fourteen years. The record continues the same hypnotic and creative methodology heard within their last album The Valley Path with dark tales of the Appalachian surroundings. U.S. Christmas have embraced elements of Post-Rock and Shoegaze into their music for this album which gives this a haunting and reflective quality hidden behind the down-tuned and distorted melodies. 

Nate Hall’s vocals are beautifully engaging, aggressive and emotionally charged as ever. There’s a shamanic quality to Nate’s vocal delivery which has been there throughout the band’s whole existence. The instrumental passages are very bleak and quite oppressive in some ways with the sudden appearance of Ambient sounds and Psychedelic movements which make sudden appearances on the opening two tracks of Downside Of The Dark Side Of The Sunshine and A Death Song. 

These two tracks run past the eight minute mark with U.S. Christmas showcasing a style of Post-Doom heaviness that has a trippy AMERICANA and FOLK based attitude even when offset against the Atmospheric Sludge Metal attitude the band adapts for some of the most thrilling moments on the whole album. With a heavy reliance on Space Rock grooves, the album is always constantly evolving into a different style of music that leaves a lasting impression. There’s some deceptive areas of AMPLIFIER FEEDBACK and HEAVY REVERB that combine for a crushing SONIC landscape that dominates the rest of the album for U.S. Christmas to experiment with. 

Third song Unkaas Bleeding On Stone is the shortest track on the album running under five minutes in length and is quite a cautionary style of Americana music with an earthly Country Rock effect appearing. The drone aspect gives the track a soothing hallucinogenic effect. The whole method is quite solitary but with U.S. Christmas creating a highly original slice of Post-Rock which includes areas of Psych, Shoegaze and Ambient Music.

Fourth track Hearts Rumble In The Dark takes the previous track’s solitary sound and expands this onto a bigger Distorted and Drone Rock canvas. There are levels of Noise Rock and Glitched Out Effects allowing the extended instrumental passages dangling between Post-Rock bliss and aggressive Post-Metal themes. The song is deliberately slow-paced that allows the listener to soak up every twisted and highly uplifting moment. U.S. Christmas has added a thought-provoking soundbyte for the storytelling narrative about mankind’s ever increasing dependence on technology and the effects this has on humanity. 

The final track Slow Slide Sleep is the standout track lasting over thirteen minutes with U.S. Christmas playing some of the heaviest sounds of their legendary career. The whole track feels like it’s re-inventing the whole creative fabric of modern day Psychedelic Doom Metal with the band exploring other areas of music such as Space Rock, Drone, Psych, Prog, Sludge and even Stoner Metal passages. This song does feel quite abrasive and wholly out of control for the most part but it’s delivered with real purpose as U.S. Christmas offer some of the most intense and riff-centric parts of the whole album.

Cannibals Of Unaka is a highly thought provoking record with U.S. Christmas delivering one of the most intense and highly original Doom Metal records of the year.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

US Progressive Sludge Metallers MOTHER CRONE Collective Reveal New Track “Fever Stone”

Puget Sound’s progressive sludge-metal collective Mother Crone have shared another glimpse of their long-awaited second album Embrace the Death, set for release in early 2026.

After revealing of the title track, the band now present their brand-new single “Fever Stone.” A bold and foreboding taste of what’s to come, Fever Stone marks Mother Crone’s return in towering form.a storm of crushing groove and progressive textures that announces a powerful new chapter for the band.

If you missed it, check out "Embrace Death" at this location.

Formed in the Puget Sound area of Washington in 2013, Mother Crone are a band forged from diverse musical backgrounds, converging to create a sound that is as heavy as it is dynamic. Drawing on influences that stretch from the psychedelic depths of Pink Floyd, the classic heaviness of Black Sabbath, and the groove-driven attack of Pantera, to the progressive and atmospheric worlds of Bison B.C., Alcest, and Shrinebuilder, the band weave a progressive/post-metal tapestry that shifts seamlessly between doom, thrash, and groove.

The band introduced themselves with their debut album Awakening in 2015, followed by two years of extensive touring across the region. Life’s demands eventually forced the group to slow down, but Mother Crone have now returned revitalized and refocused, ready to deliver their most ambitious material yet.

With their forthcoming sophomore record Embrace the Death, Mother Crone push their sound to new extremes, heavier, darker, and more expansive. Backed by a refreshed lineup featuring Preston Wilson (bass), Charlie Romano (drums), Edoardo Curatolo (guitar), and Joe Frothingham (guitar/vocals), the band aim to raise the standards of energy and execution in the Seattle scene and beyond.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/MotherCroneMusic
https://www.instagram.com/mothercronemusic

https://mothercrone.bandcamp.com/

Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the details.