Mississippi Bones - Maladroit Blues For The Colorblind (Album Review)

Release Date: September 08th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Maladroit Blues for the Colorblind - Tracklist

1.Elvis Stressly: The King Of Rock And Woe

2.If Failure Is A Learning Experience, I Should Be A Genius 03:50

3.The Owls Asked Me, “Who?”

4.Hornswaggled By Consumer Culture, Again

5.Void, Holy Night

6.A Penny For My Thoughts, And Other Common Investment Blunders

7.Thoughts On The Finer Points Of Lesser Things

8.The Feral Philosophers

9.Is That A Wunderkammer In Your Foyer, Or Are You Just Haughty To See Me?

10.Expect Disappointment And I’ll Never Let You Down

11.This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things

Members

Jared Collins

Dusty Donley

Review

Blues/Doom/Stoner Rockers Mississippi Bones return with their eighth album Maladroit Blues For The Colorbllind and it sees the band return to their creative roots whilst forging an exciting chapter for themselves at the same time. The record has a stripped back attitude with Mississippi Bones going back to basics with how the music has been produced, recorded and ultimately delivered here on the final product. 

The end result is a high voltage and hard rocking affair where the guys play a great style of Delta Blues, Grunge, Southern Rock, Psych, Doom and Stoner Rock passion which has a deceptive Americana quality way of life appearing within the lyrics. This is Mississippi Bones at their most daring and brutally honest than we’ve ever heard them. However, they’re also brilliantly funny with some laugh out lyrics appearing to lighten the mood. Look at the song titles which has always been one of the great things the band have shown over the extent of their impressive career.

The songs have a great organic sound and energy to them with a murky Grunge vibe being quite deceiving where the music suddenly changes from full on Heavy Rock to Semi Acoustic instrumental passages. Sometimes this feels like Mississippi Bones have been listening to the records they grew up with and this is perhaps why you can hear influences such as Johnny Cash, Alice In Chains Soundgarden, Black Sabbath, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, KISS, Clutch, Cactus and Led Zepp but I could be overthinking things there. 

You’ll be surprised at how freaky, fuzzy, psychedelic and distorted that Maladroit Blues For The Colorblind can actually be as Mississippi Bones play different styles of Heavy Rock/Metal and Delta Blues for different songs contained on the album. Though, each played with the same level of great talent throughout. Sure, it can be way over the top but that doesn’t stop Mississippi Bones allowing the listener to have such a damn good time where they play some Classic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal sounds that will have you headbanging in time at all.

I wanted to do a song-by-song review for this album but there’s a lot to cover with this record and I would have been here for days on end. If you want a record that goes through multiple and different genres of the Heavy Rock spectrum whilst keeping that core “Blues Rock” sound that can be even full on Doom Rock then transforming into a sullen Country Rock number then Maladroit Blues For The Colorblind is the album for you.

The lyrics are constantly engaging which shows the band’s emotional thoughts and playful humour with that masterful storytelling element that’s only become one of the best things to fully emerge from Mississippi Bones over the last few albums of late. 

Here are my favourite tracks from the album: Elvis Stressly: The King Of Rock And Woe, ‘If Failure Is A Learning Experience, I Should Be A Genius’, ‘Hornswaggled By Consumer Culture, Again’, ‘Void, Holy Night’, The Feral Philosophers and Expect Disappointment And I’ll Never Let You Down.

Yeah, the song titles can be a mouthful at times but each one tells you the type of track what to expect but it’s the epic creativity that’s hidden behind the song titles that make the journey so highly unexpected. The musical playing is first rate with Mississippi Bones playing instrumental passages with a real “whirlwind” / “tornado” quality. It’s quite hard to explain but you’ll fully understand when you listen to the whole album.

Maladroit Blues For The Colorblind is a superbly entertaining record that you can listen to all day long and still find something new you missed the first time round.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Maldaroit Blues For The Colorblind is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Heavy Psych/Stoner Rockers Paranoid Reverb reveal new album Red River Black Roots and release second single "0315"

Following the announcement of their signing with Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records and the release of their first new single "Red River", Greek heavy psych / stoner rock outfit Paranoid Reverb now unveil the full details of their second full-length album, Red River Black Roots.

The album will be released on September 18, 2026 via Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records on CD and digital. Alongside the album announcement, the band also release their second single, "0315", available now on all major streaming platforms: https://li.sten.to/paranoidreverb_0315​

Following their 2020 debut Billion Drops, Red River Black Roots marks a more deliberate and mature phase for Paranoid Reverb. The album expands their heavy psych / stoner rock foundations through denser rhythmic structures, darker tonal shades and atmospheric layers, while retaining the raw, performance-driven energy of their live sound.

Recorded in April 2025 at Shellac Recording Studios in Thessaloniki and completed the following month at producer Paris Parasidis' studio, the album places dynamics and authenticity at its core. Organic percussion, metallic objects and ambient textures become part of a sound that moves between heavy eruptions and hypnotic passages, creating a distinctly live-oriented feel without sacrificing weight or atmosphere.

Thematically, Red River Black Roots explores pressure, introspection, renewal and the tension between decay and transformation. Its title reflects this journey: the "river" represents a descent into chaos, while the "roots" suggest a return to origin. Together, they form the central metaphor connecting the album's narrative and sonic progression.

With new vocalist Manos Gotsis and a renewed creative direction, Paranoid Reverb enter this new chapter with their most focused and personal work to date.

Red River Black Roots tracklist

Acantha – 06:19
0315 – 04:30
Da Capo – 06:07
F.U. – 05:01
Red River – 04:51
Come Undone – 06:19
QuickSand – 07:15

Red River Black Roots will be released on September 18, 2026 via Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records on CD and digital.

For more info:

​https://www.facebook.com/ParanoidReverb​
​https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords​

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

Celophys - Neanderthal (Album Review)

Release Date: August 21st 2026. Record Label: Robustfellow Prods. Format: Download/Tape

Neanderthal - Tracklist

1.Neanderthal 09:45

2.Mammoth March 09:04

3.TAWA 12:29

4.Paleo Dub 09:50

Members

Oleksandr Beregovyi - Everything

Review

One Man Doom/Sludge Metal wrecking crew Celophys are back with their massive sounding sixth album Neanderthal where they continue their heavy metal expedition into the far reaches of Doom, Sludge, Stoner, Psych and Drone Metal. The record is buried under layers of distorted fuzz with the music moving slightly further into the murky abyss of Black Metal along the way which comes mostly through the gut-wrenching vocals.

Celophys take the well established route of LOW & SLOW based grooves and match this against the AMPLIFIER FEEDBACK which can be unapologetically slow the best of times. If you’re a fan of CONAN, THOU, INDIAN and PRIMITIVE MAN then Celophys have every right to be mentioned in the same breath as those amazing bands. The music has that primal energy which allows the whole thing to be quite trippy, cerebral and spaced out with gloomy atmospherics adding a progressive Drone aspect to appear throughout every individual track.

The opening title track allows Celophys to lay down the groundwork and house rules for the album to follow with long drawn out distorted Sludge Metal rhythms that’s paired against a Droned Out vibe which pushes the Stoner Metal energy into a more destructive style. The vocals are quite abstract and sometimes make no sense but you can’t help being moved by the whole journey. The record is subversively progressive with the multiple levels of fractured and gloomy creative energy which sees Celophys bringing unholy entities into the world. 

The record perhaps works best when the LOUD WALL OF AMPLIFIED NOISE doesn’t have much Psychedelic and Kinetic energy driving the music to its next dramatic conclusion especially within tracks such as Mammoth March and TAWA. As there’s a violent undercurrent of overworked amps, violent slabs of reverb and distorted feedback creating long-drawn out sounds that will pummel you into submission. The sound is quite grounded with Celophys never wavering from creating violent Sludge/Stoner Metal anthems you can easily lose yourself in.

Bands such as Sunn 0))) and EARTH can be heard as direct musical influences along the way but with Celophys being six albums into their extraordinary career, they’re making highly original sounds of their own making. The album does have some great riff-centric passages which allows Celophys to show a great style of melody where the instrumental passages are played out for a very long time but allows the listener to absorb in one full sitting.

Neanderthal is a superb record and showcases once again what the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal underground scene is truly capable of and one that the mainstream / commercial scenes can never fully deliver. A record that’s absolutely brimming with intense grooves which leaves you wanting more and fully satisfied at the same time. 

This is a first rate album which you should add to your record collections right now.

Words by Steve Howe

Neanderthal is available to buy now on Digital Download/Cassette Tape via Robustfellow Prod.

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

Pomroe - Heavy Drama (EP Review)

Release Date: August 15th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Heavy Drama - Tracklist

1.Tabby 05:05

2.Outside 03:58

3.Cover the whole 02:19

4.Slime 04:05

5.Center 04:29

Members

Maria Zgoda - guitar/bass, vocals

Paweł Zychowicz - guitar

Bartłomiej Czajkowski - drums

Review

Heavy Drama is the debut EP from Doom/Grunge/Sludge/Stoner Rockers Pomroe who have emerged from the Polish Heavy Rock underground scene and they have similar sounds to bands that have already made their presence known over the years. There’s a stubborn and aggressive attitude to Pomroe which makes their music have an uneasy atmosphere which is heard very early on within their debut release.

There’s an early Deftones presence which allows Pomroe build a determined level of intense murky sounds with a gloomy attitude appearing within tracks such as Tabby and Outside. There’s a slight Post-Punk and Alt-Metal movement heard within how the music is delivered. This has some disjointed and stripped back elements which gives the music a slight chaotic feel but the committed enthusiasm of Pomroe to deliver some great sounding Sludge/Stoner Metal ideas throughout..

The vocals from Maria Zgoda feel quite different to what I originally anticipated. As they’re quite grounded but perhaps best suited to a full on Alt-Metal or Post-Metal style of music and not music such as Pomroe ultimately deliver. However, this works to Pomroe’s advantage as it gives the band a great sullen vibe or energy of their own making where you can hear echoes of TOOL and A Perfect Circle emerging on tracks such as Tabby, Outside and Slime.

The music on the later stages of Heavy Drama has a great Post-Doom / Post-Sludge methodology appearing whilst exploring areas of Drone and Distortion which can only be described as pure paranoia in cases. There’s an underlying sense of dread developing which has the hallmarks of early-era Nine Inch Nails but fully contained within the world of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal.

Heavy Drama does feel unpolished at times but this only adds to the uncomfortable feeling you get from listening to the EP and makes it an even better audio experience as a result. It’s not perfect and is perhaps best described as a “WORK IN PROGRESS" but Pomroe have piqued my interest and I’m definitely interested to hear what they will be releasing next. 

Great stuff.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

UK Heavy Rock Pillars STEAK share details of upcoming "Steak" album on Ripple Music and Stickman Records; new single "Infinite" available!

UK progressive stoner rock spearhead STEAK reveal all details and preorders for their forthcoming fourth studio album "Steak", to be issued this October 9th on Ripple Music (North America) and Stickman Records (Europe & UK), and release a haunting third single on all streaming platforms today!

Stream new Steak single "Infinite" at this location 

Written and recorded as a five-piece for the first time in the band's career, their upcoming fourth full-length Steak marks another bold evolution for a band that has spent more than a decade pushing at the boundaries of desert rock, psychedelia and progressive heaviness. Combining crushing riffs, cinematic atmosphere and the band's unmistakable melodic edge, the new record sees STEAK moving further into darker and more progressive territories explored on 2022's acclaimed Acute Mania, while further defining a sound unmistakably its own.

One track after another, the UK quintet continues to showcase the depth and diversity of their sound, further building anticipation for what promises to be one of their most ambitious and powerful releases to date. Don't miss their latest singles Luxury Junk and Cometh!

About the new single "Infinite", guitarist and vocalist Tom Cameron says, "Infinite is about getting lost in your own head...where thoughts and fears can grow until they feel bigger and more real than everything around you."

New album "Steak" Out October 9th on Ripple Music (North America) and Stickman Records (Europe/UK)

TRACKLIST:

1. Cometh
2. Luxury Junk
3. Dust
4. Two By Two
5. Aether
6. Infinite
7. Knucklehead
8. Short Arms

Emerging from the shadows of London's underground heavy rock scene, STEAK has spent more than a decade carving out a reputation as one of the UK's most distinctive progressive stoner rock bands. Since forming in 2012, the band has built a loyal international following through relentless touring, acclaimed releases and an ever-evolving sound that fuses desert rock, psychedelia and progressive heaviness.

Following early releases and its debut album Slab City (Napalm Records), STEAK joined Ripple Music for 2017's No God To Save, taking the band across Europe and North America alongside John Garcia (Kyuss), Monster Magnet, Greenleaf and The Atomic Bitchwax, as well as an appearance at SXSW.

In recent years, STEAK has continued to build momentum with appearances at Freak Valley Festival, Resurrection Fest and multiple editions of Desertfest, alongside recent UK and European tours with All Them Witches, Elder and Slomosa. With the new full-length on the horizon, the London quintet continues its upward trajectory with its most ambitious and expansive work to date, setting the stage for their most exciting chapter yet!

STEAK is:

Kippa – vocals
Reece – lead guitar
Tom – guitar & vocals
Cam – bass

Dean – drums

Steak links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Ripple Music links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Stickman Records links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the detials.

Exclusive Song & Video Premiere Of Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers VEILCASTE Stunning Track CHAINS From Upcoming New Album

Forged in Indianapolis, Indiana, Veilcaste has spent the better part of fifteen years crafting music that is as //emotionally weighty as it is sonically crushing. Emerging from the band's earlier incarnation as Conjurer, Veilcaste represents both an evolution in identity and a continued commitment to writing immersive, riff-driven doom and sludge that resonates long after the final note fades.

Drawing from the bleak atmosphere of traditional doom, the raw power of sludge metal, and the expansive dynamics of post-metal, Veilcaste creates songs that balance massive, earth-shaking riffs with moments of haunting melody and introspection. Their music explores themes of personal struggle, perseverance, loss, and the complexities of the human experience, delivering a sound that is both punishing and deeply reflective.

The band's previous full-length, Precipice, showcased their ability to weave towering heaviness with thoughtful songwriting, earning praise throughout the underground doom community and further establishing them as one of the Midwest's standout heavy acts.

Now entering a new chapter, Veilcaste has partnered with Louisville, Kentucky-based Third House Communications to support the release of their upcoming album, Hellward. The collaboration marks the band's most ambitious campaign to date as they continue expanding their reach while remaining true to the uncompromising sound that has defined them since their inception.

Whether commanding a stage with their thunderous live performance or constructing dense, emotionally charged studio recordings, Veilcaste continues to push forward with unwavering authenticity, proving that the heaviest music can also be among the most human.

Veilcaste Also announced a couple of shows for the release around the first weekend of September.

9/4/26 Indianapolis, In at Black Circle with Lexington based Crop, Cincinnati based Lordship and Indianapolis based Thorr-Axe

9/5/26 Cincinnatti, Oh with Lexington based Crop and Cincinnatti based Lordship

These shows are going to be absolute rippers!

Thanks to Veilcaste and Third House Communications we're excited to premiere the heavy as hell new single and video for CHAINS for the upcoming new album HELLWARD:

Veilcaste Lineup

Chris Cruz - Drums

Dustin Mendel - Vocals

T Garrett O’Sha - Guitar

John Rau - Guitar & Vocals

Gabe Whitcomb - Bass

Additional Instrumentation

Carl Byers - Keys on Altar of Ecstasy, 12 String & Feedback on Vore

Chris Cruz - Guitar Solo on Embedded

John Rau - Keys & 12 String on Anchored, Shaker on Hellward, Classical on I am the Guillotine

HELLWARD is available for pre-order now on CD, Digital Download, Tape and Vinyl which will be released on September 04th 2026 via Third House Communications.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Thanks to Tom at Third House Communications for all of the details.

Polymoon - Mariposa Magic! (Album Review)

Release Date: September 04th 2026. Record Label: Vesperian. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Mariposa Magic! - Tracklist

1.Ultra Bloom

2.I End, You Begin 04:23

3.Velvet Rain

4.Lost In Sound, Found In Color

5.Welcome To Another Dimension

6.Glass House, Mortal Rooms 07:15

7.Harvest Of Stars

Members

Kalle-Erik Kosonen - Vocal

Jesse Jaksola - Guitar, synthesizers

Otto Kontio - Guitar

Marco Menestrina - Bass

Tuomas Heikura - Drums

Review

Mariposa Magic! is the third album from Psychedelic/Prog/Space/Shoegazers Polymoon who bring a grounded approach to their style of Cosmic Rock that branches out into areas of Post-Doom and Sludge Rock heaviness along the way. The record is dominated by a healthy obsession with psychedelic melodies and complex shoegaze sounds that’s powered by an epic style of emotionally charged vocals and sublime synths that open the musical gateway to a classic way of storytelling.

Polymoon takes sounds influenced by the likes of Pink Floyd, ELDER, HUM, TORCHE and The Mars Volta for a wild and engaging record of different musical landscapes that’s beautifully ethereal and superbly destructive when the challenge arises to the band. This is first laid out within the excellent opening tracks of Ultra Bloom and “I End, You Begin”. 

You begin to hear Polymoon’s deep fascination with warped sonic textures that break out into other areas of spaced out experimentation. The sludgy guitars add a cool touch of intense heaviness with Kalle-Erik Kosonen’s vocals transforming throughout the whole album but holding that excellent Post-Punk and Eighties Synth dynamic.

The music becomes more progressive with that Space Rock vibe battling against the tide of heavy synths, doomed out guitars and an impressive rhythm section that allows an almost Garage Rock aspect to enter the fray. This allows Polymoon to add another layer of heaviness to their music which injects a fresh cinematic perspective into the whole feel of the album. Shades of HUM can be heard in the background but Polymoon are still creating their own great style of music thanks to the heartfelt lyrics and first rate vocals just moving this album further onto greatness.

The album really finds it’s “HEAVY ROCK” footing within the standout tracks of Mariposa Magic! and “Lost In Sound, Found In Color”. As the music becomes quite progressive with movements from the Post-Rock, Electronica and Sludge Rock scenes with Polymoon applying a great Art-Rock and Alt-Rock makeover into the mix. I was quite surprised by the level of FUZZ and DISTORTION that Polymoon added to these parts of the album which gives it a more aggressive sound whilst holding onto that warm-hearted “DOOM-POP” atmosphere which really makes their music truly stand out.

The final three tracks of Welcome To Another Dimension, ‘Glass House, Mortal Rooms’ and Harvest Of Stars sees Polymoon apply that dominant Cosmic Rock and Spaced Out attitude to the maximum with the music constantly shifting into different areas of Doom, Shoegaze and Sludge Rock passages with great lyrics helping to sell the whole story of the record. You become more aware at how brilliantly heavy Polymoon actually are with this part of the album having the most aggressive and heaviest grooves on the whole album.

Mariposa Magic! is a wonderfully delightful record with plenty of offbeat sounds that offer different levels of blissful HEAVY ROCK music that is an absolute joy to listen to. This is my first time being exposed to Polymoon’s weird and wonderful world but it won’t be the last as Mariposa Magic! is going to end up becoming one of my favourite albums of the year. The record can be quite brash to listen to at times but that’s part of the charm with Polymoon carving up their own great style of Cosmic Rock and Heavy Psychedelic based music the whole world can fall in love with.

Outstanding!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Hold Tight PR for the promo.

Mariposa Magic! is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Vesparian.

Links

Website: https://polymoonofficial.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2lQxgCe12tX0YDtoKzFpz5
Bandcamp: https://polymoon.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polymooooon/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/polymooooon
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@polymooooon
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@polymoonofficial

US Heavy Rock Trio VALLEY OF THE SUN shares new track off "The Blacklight Sessions" album, out October 2nd on Heavy Psych Sounds

Ohio-based heavy rockers VALLEY OF THE SUN present a second track taken from their forthcoming new studio album "The Blacklight Session", to be issued this October 2nd on Heavy Psych Sounds Records.

Stream new single "Low Not Slow" below

Valley of the Sun’s sixth studio album The Blacklight Sessions, is a deep dive into the sonic roots of the band who continues to defy genre norms. With tracks ranging from blues jam to psychedelic desert trip to driving stoner riffage, the band continues to demonstrate that their music knows no bounds, nor should it. Their previous single The Whiskey Elf encapsulates this perfectly, channeling the spirit of Ten Years After and Grand Funk Railroad while retaining the modern heavy groove that has become the band's signature.

Following the 2024 release of the acclaimed self-released Quintessence, their new album The Blacklight Sessions sees the band consisting of Ryan Ferrier (guitar, vocals), Chris Sweeney (bass) and Johnny Kathman (drums) embarking on a new chapter. This release marks their first for Heavy Psych Sounds and arrives as the band is fully locked into their powerful power-trio format and ready to spread the gospel of their high-octane riff-rock across Europe this fall.

The Blacklight Sessions Tour 2026

02/10 Tabernas Desert Rock Fest
13/10 Morlenbach, DE Weiher
14/10 Osnabrück, DE Bastard Club
15/10 Jena, DE Kuba Jena
16/10 Dresden, DE Heavy Psych Sounds
17/10 Berlin, DE Heavy Psych Sounds
18/10 Warszawa, PL Chmury Club
19/10 Kraków, PL Klub Gwarek
21/10 Wien, AT Verein Forum Wien
22/10 Bratislava, SK Pink Whale
23/10 Pássau, DE Zauberberg
24/10 München, DE Backstage Klub
25/10 Freiburg im Breisgau, DE Artik
27/10 Annecy, FR La Coloc
29/10 Paris, FR Backstage by the Mill
30/10 Wasquehal, FR The Black Lab
31/10 Bruxelles, BE Temple Studios
01/11 Eindhoven, NL The Jack
02/11 Breda, NL Mezz
03/11 Düsseldorf, DE Pitcher
04/11 Münster, DE Rare Guitar
05/11 Köln, DE Club Volta
06/11 Hanau, DE KultK1
07/11 Aachen, DE Musik Bunker
08/11 Kiel, DE Schaubude
10/11 Hamburg, DE Knust
11/11 Copenhagen, DK Stengade
12/11 Aalborg, DK 1000Fryd
13/11 Oslo, NO Vaterland Bar & Scene
14/11 Stockholm, SE Fuzztival

VALLEY OF THE SUN "The Blacklight Sessions" - Out October 2nd on Heavy Psych Sounds

TRACKLIST:

1. The Whiskey Elf
2. Low Not Slow
3. The Long Song
4. A Greater Meaning
5. Mountain
6. No Hope

Formed in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2010, Valley of the Sun has become one of the most respected names in modern heavy rock, combining thunderous, groove-driven riffs with soaring vocals and emotionally charged songwriting. Drawing inspiration from classic hard rock, desert rock, and grunge, the band has built an international following through relentless touring across North America and Europe, critically acclaimed releases, and a reputation for delivering powerful, high-energy live performances. Their catalog includes The Sayings of the Seers, Electric Talons of the Thunderhawk, Volume Rock, Old Gods, The Chariot, and the acclaimed 2024 release Quintessence, showcasing a band that continues to evolve while remaining true to its signature sound.

Today, Valley of the Sun is a three-piece consisting of Ryan Ferrier (guitar, lead vocals), the band’s founder and sole remaining original member (2010–present); Chris Sweeney (bass), who joined in 2018; and Johnny Kathman (drums), who joined during the band’s transition back to a power trio for the Quintessence era in 2023. Together, the trio continues to push the band’s sound forward with crushing riffs, dynamic musicianship, and an ever-changing tonality that continues to challenge the norms of the genre, while maintaining the unmistakeable sound of the band.

VALLEY OF THE SUN is

Ryan Ferrier - Guitar / Vocals
Chris Sweeney - Bass
Johnny Kathman - Drums

VALLEY OF THE SUN links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Heavy Psych Sounds Links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE reveal music video 'Clutching at Straws' taken from new album "In Between Strides"

BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE reveal the music video 'Clutching at Straws' – and it is their very own sizzling song and not a cover of the MARILLION classic. This track has been selected as an advance single from the German shoegaze rockers' upcoming fourth album "In Between Strides", which is scheduled for release on September 18, 2026, via Magnetic Eye Records.

Pre-orders are available HERE

Watch the video for 'Clutching at Straws' here:

BEES MADE HONEY comment: "I wrote the main riffs for 'Clutching at Straws' on acoustic guitar while composing another of my own songs", frontman Simon Weinrich writes. "When we hit a creative slump, I simply suggested playing those riffs during a band rehearsal. Once effects were added, they immediately took on a different energy. Lyrically, this song revolves around a restless and exhausting journey that expresses an inner restlessness and sense of being driven. It's certainly a state of mind that we are all familiar with at times."

Credit - Filmed & produced by Felix Keltsch & Konrad Kobiela

Tracklist:

1. Departure
2. Respite
3. Clutching at Straws
4. Elisa
5. Return, Precipice

When German four-piece BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE began to find their bearings on where to go next from the success of their previous full-length, "Aion" (2023), the core idea for the fourth album, "In Between Strides", was to take a more melodic approach. All else, they would leave to the creative process and somewhat to chance.

Recording one song at a time without knowing what the next would sound like, the track 'Elisa' was the first step forward and became the binding link between the previous and new albums. 'Elisa' came into being as a jam captured on the last day of recording during the "Aion" sessions, which was later heavily condensed and augmented with added instrumentation to create more structure and depth.

BEES MADE HONEY recorded every other song on "In Between Strides" in various settings that were available to them at the time of creation: a cavernous cellar, a concert stage, an indoor balcony, a living room, their rehearsal space, even returning to the studio where their first album "Medicine" was tracked.

Through this spontaneous and shifting approach, BEES MADE HONEY began to move texturally and stylistically from ambient and drone toward shoegaze along with more acoustic elements. According to their original plan, "In Between Strides" stepped into more melodic territory, with each song representing a different aspect of the band's musical vocabulary.

Lyrically, "In Between Strides" portrays a journey of uncertain outcomes, a departure, and a search for something not yet defined. Although this mirrors the experience of BEES MADE HONEY in finding new creative paths and ways of expression, the lyrics paint a broader picture that is not limited to the German's personal experiences or life-circumstances.

BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE originate from the Swabian capital and German city of Stuttgart. All four members grew up together, eventually forming the band in 2014. Their musical template of ambient psychedelic doom was established with the debut album "Medicine" in 2017, and their sound has continued to evolve ever since.

With their sophomore full-length "Grandmother" (2019), their sonic scope expanded through lower tunings, densely layered effects, faster passages, and harsher vocals. The Swabians began performing live, both at home and abroad, in front of continuously growing audiences. This development physically manifested in the recording and release of "Harvestmen (live)" in 2022.

BEES MADE HONEY took a leap forward with third full-length "Aion", which was widely praised by audiences and critics alike. This album features spacious, dynamic compositions that move from drifting tranquility to raging power in a constant tidal movement of spaced-out guitars, pounding basslines, and dripping drum fills.

While "Aion" easily transcended BEES MADE HONEY's psychedelic doom label into something deeper and more resonant, "In Between Strides" roams faster and further.

With "In Between Strides", BEES MADE HONEY have turned rage into reflection by developing a more organic and spontaneous approach to their songs, opening up wide spaces and letting the melodies flow freely. This musical honey tastes simply delicious.

Line-up

Simon Weinrich – guitar, vocals, Rhodes piano
Marc Dreher – drums, vocals, Rhodes piano
Lucas Dreher – guitar
Christopher Popowitsch – bass

Guest musicians

Luis Deffner (JAMHED) – piano on 'Elisa'

Recorded by Ralv Milberg at Zentrum Zinsholz, Ostfildern (DE)
Mixed by Ralv Milberg & Simon Weinrich at Milberg Studios, Stuttgart (DE)
Mastered by Ralv Milberg at Milberg Studios, Stuttgart (DE)

Artwork & layout by Christopher Popowitsch

Links

https://beesmadehoneyintheveintree.com
www.facebook.com/beesmadehoneyintheveintree
www.instagram.com/beesmadehoneyintheveintree

Thanks to All Noir and Magnetic Eye Records for the details.

Doom Metallers KAVRILA announce new album "Transcend“ (out November 6th 2026) / Video for single "Exhume“ and pre-order online!

KAVRILA have always referred to their sound as doom punk. On “Transcend”, that foundation remains intact while expanding far beyond its original boundaries. New textures, broader dynamics, and influences from across the heavy music spectrum turn the band's signature sound into its most ambitious and complete form to date, while remaining rooted in the raw intensity and emotional honesty that define the band.

“Transcend” is an album that tears you apart, gently puts you back together, and leaves you forever changed, a journey through pain, resilience, and hope.

You can watch the video fort he first single "Exhume“ now:

Furthermore the pre-order for the album has started now:

https://linktr.ee/kavrila

Rooted in themes of kinship, loss, self-destruction, healing, and rebirth, “Transcend”explores what happens when life strips everything away. It is about betrayal, grief, and confronting the darkest corners of yourself without looking away.

It is about smashing the walls around your heart and still choosing love over bitterness, honesty over comfort, and connection over isolation.

This album doesn't offer an escape from pain, it transforms through it. Because even in the deepest abyss, something new can emerge.

If you're looking for easy hits, you can fuck off. If you're just looking for background music to kill some time, you can fuck off. If you're afraid to dive all the way in, well, we're sorry to tell you: you can still fuck off.

But if life has thrown rocks at you, if the people you trusted stabbed you in the back, if the universe kept asking for more than you thought you could give, and you're still capable of taking a sledgehammer to the walls around your heart instead of building them even higher, then welcome.

Grab a drink. Get beautifully lost. Raise a shot with what Carl Jung would have called your shadow. Turn the volume up and join KAVRILA on a journey of liberation, as they burn down the walls surrounding the darkest, and purest parts of your soul.

"Transcend“ Tracklist:

1. Kinship
2. Domino
3. Heavy Breathing
4. Exhume
5. Defaced
6. Tenacity
7. Sway
8. Detention
9. The River
10. Cleansing
11. A Friend
Playing Time 42:33

KAVRILA Online:

https://kavrila.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kavrilaband/
https://www.instagram.com/kavrila_ritual

Sauros - Offense (Album Review)

Release Date: September 04th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Offense - Tracklist

1.C2O 

2.Offense

3.The Doomsayers Are Right 

4.In The End

5.Grey Ignorance

6.A New Ego In Nihilism

7.Misanthropic Freedom

8.Unnatural Selection In The Age Of Crisis 

9.Nostalgic Anxiety

Members

Doc - Vocals

Nobbe - Guitar

Seb - Bass

Frank - Drums

Review

Doom Metallers Sauros debut album Offense is a great collection of slow-paced Doom/Sludge Metal. The music is played at a very cool slow pace which allows the band to create a highly atmospheric and destructive DOOMED OUT environment to play their music against. The vocals have that classic HEAVY METAL gruff exterior which brings the muscular lyrics to life which you can hear superbly well on the opening tracks of C2O, Offense and The Doomsayers Are Right.

Offense often plays it straight with Sauros never wandering into Prog Metal territory which makes this record feel more authentic. There are moments of Psychedelic and Alt-Metal themes that develop with hidden outbursts of Post-Doom and Atmospheric Sludge surroundings. Sometimes Sauros feels like they’re using bands such as Metallica and Type O Negative for certain sections of the record. There’s a gloomy Thrash based delivery which is quite noticeable especially with the sullen guitar tones and excellent vocals from Doc. 

The vocals remain clean throughout with some harsh tones being injected into the mix only when they’re really needed. The slowcore aspect of Sauros’s music is what makes it really standout as they never play fast-paced melodies which may perhaps disturb the equilibrium of what the band are trying to deliver with Offense. 

Everything is quite bleak with socially aware lyrics helping Sauros’s message in spreading much doom and gloom on this record that’s actually possible on tracks such as The Doomsayers Are Right, In The End, Grey Ignorance, A New Ego In Nihilism and Unnatural Selection In The Age Of Crisis. These songs show Sauros in complete control deploying their own nihilistic style of Doom Metal which feel more unsettling and violent with the epic LOW & SLOW delivery that surrounds everything being played on the whole album.

The album is superbly aggressive in the volume department even with the stripped back production values that’s been applied here. However, this all adds to the gloomy and solitary audio experience that’s being played throughout your speakers of choice. The instrumental work is outstanding with Sauros playing each note, riff and melody with supreme confidence. 

Offense is quite a subversive record where the bleak and moody songs offer a dramatic chilling experience that even has a few nods to classic ELECTRIC WIZARD amplifier distortion which only adds a more menacing quality to the whole experience. 

Sauros really deliver on all fronts with Offense which I’m hoping allows them to become more well known within the underground Doom/Sludge Metal scene.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram