Philly Doom-Jazz Legends Stinking Lizaveta return with 10th album "Cassandra, Prophet of Doom" out September 16th on SRA Records

Bursting forth in doom-jazz glory from the punk underground, Stinking Lizaveta was forged in the 90s in the basements of West Philly.

Yanni Papadopoulos, guitar, Alexi Papadopoulos, upright electric bass and Cheshire Agusta, drums have produced ten full length albums and are road dogs of rock in the US, UK and EU. For over 30 years they have been playing every show like its their first and last.

Bear Stone - Photo credit: SanjaMatic

Having just returned from yet another tour of Europe, including festival highlights Stoned From The Underground and Bear Stone, the band is ready to unleash their new album Cassandra, Prophet of Doom and set forth on a tour with Philadelphia’s science fiction noise rock / metal hybrid Deathbird Earth in November.

Bear Stone - Photo credit: SanjaMatic

Across eight tracks of adventurous, winding, raucous rock that can only be Stinking Liz, the trio chart a grand, unpredictable course.

Furious rhythms, staccato attacks, and wiry guitar heroics bring Cassandra to sprawling life, ranging from the dark, doomed epic of the title track to the anthemic, punky roar and folk touches of "Sherman's March". Stinking Lizaveta are back and as iconoclastic as ever.

Bear Stone - Photo credit: SanjaMatic

Stinking Lizaveta dates Fall 2026:

8/29 – BAD CATT FEST
9/26 – RECORD RELEASE SHOW JOHNNY BRENDA’S PHILADELPHIA
10/10 – EMISSIONS FROM THE MONOLITH

Bear Stone - Photo credit: Valerio Baranović

US November 2026 tour with Deathbird Earth:

FRIDAY 6TH – BALTIMORE, MD – OTTOBAR w/ Arbouretum & Darsombra Sol
SATURDAY 7TH – RICHMOND, VA – NORTHSIDE GRILLE
SUNDAY 8TH – KNOXVILLE, TN – PILOT LIGHT
MONDAY 9TH – RALEIGH, NC – KINGS
TUESDAY 10TH – CHARLOTTE, NC – THE MILESTONE
WEDNESDAY 11TH – BIRMINGHAM, AL – THE FIREHOUSE
THURSDAY 12TH – LAFAYETTE, LA – THE FREETOWN BOOM BOOM ROOM w/ Spickle
FRIDAY 13TH – NEW ORLEANS, LA – POOR BOYS
SATURDAY 14TH – AUSTIN, TX – THE LOST WELL
SUNDAY 15TH – SAN ANTONIO, TX – THE LONESOME ROSE (matinee)
MONDAY 16TH – MEMPHIS, TN – HAVENHUAS
TUESDAY 17TH – CINCINNATI, OH – NORTHSIDE TAVERN
WEDNESDAY 18TH – MILLERSVILLE, PA – PHANTOM POWER

Stinking Lizaveta - Cassandra, Prophet of Doom

Abum out September 16th, 2026
SRA Records (Vinyl, CD, Digital)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
FFO: Black Flag, Gone, Bad Brains, Steve Albini, Earthless, The Obsessed

Recorded and mixed at Permanent Hearing Damage by Steve Roche
Mastered by James Plotkin
Artwork by Stathis Panou

Stinking Lizaveta is:

Yanni Papadopoulos - Guitar
Alexi Papadopoulos - Upright electric bass
Cheshire Agusta - Drums

Tracklist:

1. Champion of My Mind (2:31)
2. Stinkface (3:08)
3. Please Start Now (3:36)
4. Lindsay Wagner Intro (1:07)
5. Lindsay Wagner (3:35)
6. Cassandra, Prophet of Doom (5:05)
7. Sherman's March (3:44)
8. Never to Be Believed (5:09)

Stinking Lizaveta

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the details.

FANE - Armageddon Scars (Album Review)

Release Date: August 28th 2026. Record Label: Octopus Rising. Formats: DD

Armageddon Scars - Tracklist

1.Flatline

2.Dead Shepherd 

3.Poisoned Crown

4.The Mariner

5.Passages 

Members

Ryan Ashmore - Vocals

Trey Porche - Instruments, Programming

Review

Doom/Sludge Metal duo FANE debut album Armageddon Scars creates a brutal and emotionally engaging style of music that ventures into similar waters of bands such as THOU, Primitive Man, YOB and Neurosis. The brooding atmospherics has plenty of heavy progressive weight that powers the DRONED OUT dimension that is added at different stages of the record. There are hidden traces of Punk, Black Metal and some small instances of Death Metal which gives Armageddon Scars quite a violent and hypnotic sound from the very start.

The opening track Flatline allows FANE to demonstrate some subversive levels of Doom Metal that allows the listener to fully lose themselves within the Sludge Metal textures that become more accustomed to the Post-Metal world. The vocals from Ryan Ashmore are delivered with a grim extreme and menacing style that has a solid HARSH and THUGGISH energy to them. FANE are never afraid to explore the dominant Black Metal environments which offer crushing, violent and destructive instrumental grooves that last the course and where any uplifting soundscapes are wisely banished from existence here.

Second track Dead Shepherd only solidifies the eternal DOOM & GLOOM message that FANE project throughout the album with punishing Post-Metal sounds and some brief Psychedelic interludes that offer a dramatic feeling to emerge from the darkness. Trey Porche has his work cut out providing all the Instrumental and Programming aspect for FANE to devour everyone’s soul with. This is a great counterbalance with Ryan’s vocals, perhaps opening the gateway for that brutal and monolithic style of music to explore the darkest corners of the whole album.

Third track Poisoned Crown follows a similar path to the previous track but operates with a simpler riff based structure without compromising the violent progressive sounds that have already been set out from the start. FANE delivers the most straightforward grooves that have that classic YOB influence behind them. The extra layer of Psych Metal just pushes the album into different sonic based arenas whilst keeping that Blackened Post-Metal atmosphere fully intact.

The final two tracks The Mariner and Passages bring a different aura of darkness from FANE with that Progressive sound adding abstract soundscapes and Ambient sound effects for perhaps the best part of the album. FANE feel more determined to forge their own identity with these two tracks with tighter vocals and better instrumental control whilst punishing the listeners yet again with an intense blast of pure Doom/Sludge Metal brutality. 

Armageddon Scars is quite subversive and superbly inventive with the Ambient Sounds and Psych Metal effects which allows FANE to never lose focus on releasing an epic sounding debut album that will leave you an emotional shivering wreck when everything is said and done.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the promo.

Armageddon Scars is available to buy now on DD via Octopus Rising.

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

HIPPIE DEATH CULT: Portland Heavy Rock Power Trio Sign To Blacklight Media/Metal Blade Records

Blacklight Media/Metal Blade Records are pleased to announce the signing of heavy rock power trio HIPPIE DEATH CULT.

The band comments, "We are beyond excited to announce our signing with Blacklight Media and Metal Blade Records, a label that has been a pillar of the metal community for decades and has always championed artistic integrity over trend-chasing, which is something we resonate with deeply. We are honored to be part of their esteemed lineage.

“Our journey has always been fueled by passion, creativity, and authenticity and we feel right at home working with a team who understands and shares these values. We can‘t wait to unleash some of our most visceral music to date via one of the most respected labels in heavy metal history. Fires are burning and wheels are turning.”

HIPPIE DEATH CULT has steadily become one of the most exciting bands in the modern heavy music scene, pairing massive riffs, deep grooves, psychedelic textures, thoughtful lyricism, and hypnotizing melodies into a sound that feels both classic and contemporary. Formed in Portland, Oregon, the trio — guitarist Eddie Brnabic, vocalist/bassist Laura Phillips, and drummer Harry Silvers — has earned a reputation for delivering dynamic, emotionally charged songs and electrifying live performances that showcase their distinctive sound, transcending traditional genres and captivating fans worldwide.

Since their early releases with Cursed Tongue Records and Heavy Psych Sounds Records, the band has built significant momentum. Their 2019 debut album, 111, and its 2021 follow-up, Circle Of Days, received strong praise from critics and listeners alike, with both records topping the Doom Charts and numerous “Best Of” lists, solidifying HIPPIE DEATH CULT as a standout name in the underground scene.

Following these releases, the band‘s evolution into a power trio marked a turning point, with Laura Phillips stepping into lead vocal duties and infusing even more identity and force into the group‘s sound and chemistry. This progression came fully into focus on Helichrysum, the band‘s first full-length studio album featuring Phillips on lead vocals. Released in 2023, the album was widely praised for its stronger songwriting, greater dynamic range, and the chemistry of the new lineup, becoming their most successful release to date in terms of streams and sales.

The band supported Helichrysum with over 250 shows across North America and Europe, including performances on major festival stages and headlining spots, further showcasing the raw power and intensity that have made their live shows a must-see.

Now signed to Blacklight Media and Metal Blade Records, HIPPIE DEATH CULT is entering a new phase with the most reach and momentum of their career. With a growing international fanbase, an increasingly refined sound, and a new release on the horizon, the band is poised to take the next leap forward. Stay tuned for a new full-length in 2027.

The band will be roadbound for the remaining weeks of Summer and much of the Fall beginning with a US tour that runs from August 14th through September 12th. HIPPIE DEATH CULT will head to Europe and the United Kingdom on September 30th for another stretch of live dates through November 1st.

“After months of dedicated work behind the scenes, transforming our garage into a creative sanctuary and crafting a new album, we‘re pumped to finally hit the road again this Summer and Fall,” the band notes. “This tour is all about reconnecting with our incredible fans across the States and Europe, welcoming new recruits, jamming on some classics, and giving everyone in attendance a chance to be among the first to experience some new material before it hits the streets. We can‘t wait to share these transcendent moments with you all!”

See all confirmed dates below.

HIPPIE DEATH CULT Live:

8/14/2026 Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR w/ Abronia **
8/20/2026 Sunset Tavern – Seattle, WA w/ Earth Tongue **
8/21/2026 Silver Moon Brewing – Bend, OR w/ Earth Tongue **
8/22/2026 The Dip – Redding, CA w/ Earth Tongue **
8/23/2026 Rickshaw Stop – San Francisco, CA w/ Earth Tongue **
8/24/2026 Zebulon - Los Angeles, CA w/ Earth Tongue **
8/25/2026 Hotel Congress – Tucson, AZ w/ Earth Tongue **
8/26/2026 Whiskey Creek Zocalo – Arenas Valley, NM **
8/27/2026 Copeka Coffee – Grand Junction, CO **
8/28/2026 Green Mountain Ranch – Pine, CO **
8/29/2026 What's Left Records - Colorado Springs, CO **
8/31/2026 The Sinkhole – St. Louis, MO **
9/01/2026 Raccoon Motel – Davenport, IA **
9/02/2026 X-Ray Arcade – Cudahy, WI **
9/03/2026 Black Circle Brewing Co. – Indianapolis, IN w/ The Well
9/04/2026 Frankie's – Toledo, OH w/ The Obsessed
9/05/2026 Reggie's Music Joint – Chicago, IL w/ The Obsessed
9/06/2026 James Ballentine Uptown VFW Post 246 – Minneapolis, MN w/ The Obsessed
9/08/2026 Reverb – Omaha, NE w/ The Obsessed
9/09/2026 Hi-Dive – Denver, CO w/ The Obsessed
9/10/2026 The DLC - Salt Lake City, UT w/ The Obsessed
9/11/2026 The Shredder – Boise, ID w/ The Obsessed
9/12/2026 The Chainsaw Cat – Yakima, WA **
** HIPPIE DEATH CULT headlining date

EU/UK Tour Dates:

09/30/2026 Scumm – Pescara, IT
10/01/2026 Freakout – Bologna, IT
10/02/2026 MKNŽ – Ilirska Bistrica, SI
10/03/2026 Kino – Ebensee, AT
10/04/2026 Up In Smoke – Pratteln, CH
10/05/2026 Brin De Zinc – Chambery, FR
10/06/2026 Le Molotov – Marseille, FR
10/07/2026 Trinità Live Club – Genova, IT
10/08/2026 Hostaria – Castel D‘Ario, IT
10/09/2026 Berchtesgaden – Kuckucksnest, DE
10/10/2026 Kulturfabrik – Kufstein, AT
10/11/2026 Camäleon – Vaduz, LI
10/13/2026 Conne Island – Leipzig, DE
10/14/2026 Sunny Red – Munich, DE
10/16/2026 HPS Fest – Berlin, DE
10/17/2026 HPS Fest – Dresden, DE
10/18/2026 Desertfest – Liege, BE
10/19/2026 1001 Bières – Reims, FR
10/21/2026 TBC – Copenhagen, DK
10/22/2026 Geronimo's – Stockholm, SE
10/23/2026 Høstsabbat Fest – Oslo, NO
10/24/2026 Kulturscenen – Esbjerg, DK
10/27/2026 Mist Rolling Inn – Nottingham, UK
10/28/2026 Parish – Huddersfield, UK
10/29/2026 Voodoo Daddy's Showroom – Norwich, UK
10/30/2026 Blondies – London, UK
10/31/2026 Moor Beer – Bristol, UK
11/01/2026 Saturnalia Records – Faversham, UK

Links

https://www.hippiedeathcultband.com
https://www.instagram.com/hippiedeathcultband
https://www.facebook.com/hippiedeathcultband
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwcDKgW8llmhDuD3MaEHs1Q

Thanks to Palmer Turner Overdrive for the details.

PETROSA - Roadburn Chronicles (Album Review)

Release Date: August 28th 2026. Record Label: Octopus Rising. Formats: CD/DD

Roadburn Chronicles - Tracklist

S.U.R.E.

The Sinner

Turning Point

I For An I

Rusty Blues

Viper

Revenant

Dreamer's Sunsets

Monsters' Conceal

An Old Van And A Couple Of Beers

 

Members

Antonio Buonocore - Guitar

Giorgio Monza - Drums

Aldo Colciago - Vocals

Andrea Vignati - Bass

Review

Doom/Stoner Metallers PETROSA come out fighting with their intense debut album “Roadburn Chronicles” that perhaps focuses on the DOOMED OUT part of their music which gives them a very unhealthy destructive appetite. Influenced by the likes of KYUSS, Orange Goblin and Dozer, there’s a gritty realism to PETROSA’s music that brings an aggressive level of Fuzz, Psych and Desert Rock with a destructive Nineties Alt-Metal attitude.

The album wastes no time in getting straight down to business of playing classic Stoner Metal grooves with that Doom & Gloom atmosphere allowing PETROSA adding some Monster Magnet spaced out heaviness along the way. The lyrics are quite seedy and fits right in with the WEEDIAN lifestyle that PETROSA approach with loving care and perhaps play about with the general misconceptions of the actual scene by playing some classic HEAVY ROCK melodic structures throughout.

Lead vocalist Aldo Calciago has a determined and gritty approach in how the vocals are delivered with flashes of solid Fuzz Rock groundwork which has some FU MANCHU and ORANGE GOBLIN elements to them on tracks such as S.U.R.E., The Sinner and Turning Point setting the scene for the rest of the album to follow. 

PETROSA never tries to reinvent the wheel or add progressive movements to their music. As this music is classic DOOM/STONER METAL through and through but there are some epic sounding cinematic Desert Rock soundscapes that lurk in the background to add a great style of Post-Doom and Psych Metal level of awareness.

The album really starts hitting its own creative and musical stride when the outstanding third track Turning Point appears which has the right amount of “QUIET vs LOUD” musical dynamics where a thrilling sludgy atmosphere develops into music with more meaning. From this point on PETROSA feel in their musical element with a great sounding Punk Rock energy being added within the sublime fourth track I For An I. The instrumental sounds are more fast-paced that feel completely dominated by a Fuzzed Out aspect that moves quite confidently into full on Doom/Stoner Metal.

Fifth track Rusty Blues allows PETROSA to slow the mood right down to a laid back gloomy Blues Rock number which is stripped of all it’s WEEDIAN essence with small pockets of Desert Rock soulful melodies that shows you a different side to PETROSA.

The second half of Roadburn Chronicles starts off in low-key fashion with the stunning sixth track Viper that explores that Desert Rock landscape with Post-Doom aesthetics fully moving back into their usual Heavy Rock delivery. The sound is influenced by modern day and alt-rock musical structures that leads the band into developing the heaviest sounds on the whole album. 

PETROSA move from strength-to-strength on the remaining tracks of the album with powerful strands of Doom/Stoner Metal once again allowing the band to develop their own great style of music with a gritty determination within the excellent tracks of Revenant, Dreamer’s Sunsets and An Old Van And A Couple Of Beers closing the album on a wonderful and exciting finish.

Roadburn Chronicles never plays out the way you expect as PETROSA have something special about their music where you feel this is a band who have lived the ROCK & ROLL lifestyle well perhaps within the underground scene at least. 

PETROSA will hopefully make a name for themselves with this great album and I can see them playing some of the more prestigious stages of the Doom/Stoner Metal festival circuit in no time at all.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the promo.

Roadburn Chronicles is available to buy now on CD/DD via Octopus Rising.

Links

Instagram

Flamebearer - Igniter (Album Review)

Release Date: August 07th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Igniter - Tracklist

1.Electric Haze 04:56

2.Falling Down 04:10

3.Something Going On 03:50

4.Don't Think (Your Life Away) 05:10

5.Bow Down To Me 04:43

6.Sense Of Freedom 03:27

7.Burning Soul 03:27

8.Whispering Winds 05:21

 

Review

Doom/Stoner Metallers Flamebearer return with their second album Igniter which continues the past paced sounds first heard on their 2024 debut album Brazen. That record allowed Flamebearer to spread their gospel of Stoner Metal that was full of Hard Rock, Punk, Doom and even Glam Metal. With a sound closer to the likes of Orange Goblin, CLUTCH, KISS, Black Sabbath and KYUSS that even had some FUZZ ROCK appearing to hold everything together.

Igniter sees the band sticking more closely to Orange Goblin and KISS For this record whilst developing their own action packed sound. The sound has a heavier Punk Rock vibe which develops very early on throughout tracks such as Electric Haze, Falling Down and Something Going On where Flamebearer adds a vibrant NOLA and Sludge Rock aspect to their music. The Punk Rock swagger comes mostly through the superb vocals and pissed off lyrics that’s laid down throughout the whole album.

Flamebearer music works best when they throw caution to the wind and embrace that legendary Eighties Heavy Metal spirit that ultimately rules the roost for this album to genuinely thrive which the majority of the album generates the real excitement. However, that doesn’t stop Flamebearer venturing into the Doomed Out water of Stoner Metal with a dangerous melodic attitude forming within other tracks held on the album.

The album does contain looser production values compared to their debut album Brazen but this has a more aggressive sound that gives Igniter a real Heavy Metal attitude with that rebellious Punk Rock spirit appearing on the standout tracks on the album such as Something Going On, Don’t Think (Your Life Away), Sense Of Freedom and Whispering Winds.

These tracks allow Flamebearer to be gloriously OVER THE TOP with how they deliver their music with outlandish vocals to match. There’s a devilish sense of fun being delivered through the mighty walls of AMPLIFIED AGGRESSION that should give your hearing a proper HEAVY METAL workout.

Igniter is a superbly entertaining record. It’s not the most original record you’ll ever hear but Flamebearer have delivered an album that’s packed full of great songs that should get the old-school metalheads headbanging and fists pumping in the air in no time at all.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

https://www.facebook.com/flamebearerband
https://www.instagram.com/flamebearerband/?hl=en
https://flamebearer.bandcamp.com/

Dragger - Taken Form (Album Review)

Release Date: August 07th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD

Taken Form - Tracklist

1.Cut to the Bone 03:11

2.In the Mire 04:51

3.Potent Sea 01:56

4.Martyr Tombs 04:40

5.Cautionary Tail 03:35

6.Everything is Rot 04:46

 

Members

Keenan Bouchard - Drums

Justin Gonyea - Guitar, Vocals

Benjamin Lee - Guitar

Nathaniel Parker Raymond - Bass

Review

Taken Form is the debut album from Thrash/Sludge Metallers Dragger who fuse Punk Metal and Metallic Hardcore into their music. This allows Dragger to have an out-of-control and demented creative persona throughout this album whilst still developing some harsh sounding melodic strands of Heavy Metal. The record runs for a brisk and intense twenty five minutes across six tracks with Dragger exploring every facet of their Thrash/Sludge Metal sound.

The vocals from Justin Gonyea are Hardcore Punk through and through with a demented Metallic Sludge dynamic bursting through the seams. The music is wholly aggressive and slightly subversive especially when small pockets of Psych Metal appear within the background that gives Taken Form a heavy destructive Doomed Out Metal sound on tracks such as Cut To The Bone, In The Mire, Martyr Tombs and Everything Is Rot.  

Dragger do veer into Post-Metal territory on small parts of the record which gives them a vibrant Progressive Metal quality that becomes one of the main strengths of the album. You may not hear, feel or experience this at first but Taken Form is quite a complex and multi-layered record with sludgy soundscapes crossing over with Justin’s stripped back and gloomy vocals.

The instrumental work is epic and always offers a highly climatic style of delivery which leaves you wanting more with some of the songs suddenly ending which can be one of the weaker aspects of the album. Though, you don’t have to wait long for another turbo-charged groove and violent melody that’s delivered with great precision that wholly allows that Thrash Metal aspect of Dragger to take complete control.

Taken Form is an action packed ride that allows Dragger to deliver a wonderfully violent debut album that will have listeners coming back time and time again.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

BandCamp

Doom/Stoner Metallers DEATHCHANT Announce New Album KOVA And Premiere New Song/Video For ENEMY. Album To Be Released Via RIDINGEASY RECORDS

We are all at the unforgiving whim of life’s extremes. For every moment of overwhelming sorrow, there’s another of indescribable bliss. For every death, there’s a birth. For all of the darkness, there’s just as much light.

Deathchant have never shied away from extremes. Their sound seamlessly oscillates from high-octane rubber-burning riffs and gravelly chants to purring feedback and melodies as expansive as the desert at night. After gathering millions of streams, earning enthusiastic acclaim, and an endless string of packed shows, the Los Angeles, CA quartet—Thomas J Lemieux a.k.a. TJ [guitar, vocals, keys, bass], Doug Stuckey [guitar, vocals], Quinn-George Camacho [bass], and Nick “Joose” Mcdonnell [drums]—explore life’s highs, lows, and everything in between on their fourth full-length LP, KOVA [RidingEasy Records].

Named after their late friend Davey Kova, it’s simultaneously a raucous send-off worthy of a Viking, an introspective look at manhood, and a dyed-in-the-wool badass barnstorming hard rock record.

“To me, Deathchant means very intense brotherhood and friendship,” observes TJ. “I have a truly safe place to express every facet of myself. Even though we’re really heavy, this is also a vehicle for me to explore softer sides of music and wear my heart on my sleeve. For the last nine years, it’s allowed me to be a raw nerve. It was often brutal, because we lived our lives in the world of motorcycle culture, drugs, and partying. At the same time, I always had space for reflection. We implicitly trust one another. It’s rare for a friendship—let alone a four-way working relationship. I recently became a new dad, went through a divorce, and experienced serious loss. All of these massive shifts fed into the music, making it angrier, but more revealing and intimate.”

Back in 2018, Deathchant began to make noise on the West Coast. The group captivated a cult-like audience with the self-titled Deathchant [2019], Waste [2021], and Thrones [2023]. They landed looks from CBS News, Angry Metal Guy, and It’s Psychedelic Baby Magazine who marveled at their “combination of rumbling noise, chiming guitar melodies, bluesy boogie, NWOBHM thrash, and punk fury.” Plus, they ignited the YouTube channel Jam In The Van with a fiery performance and canvased the globe on tour, playing at festivals such as Psycho Las Vegas, Desertfest Belgium, Keep It Low Festival, and SonicBlast Festival.

While writing KOVA, they said goodbye to its namesake.

“My best friend Davey Kova was a dude who white-knuckled life, treated each day like it was his last, took chances, rode fast, and partied hard, but he was the sweetest guy you could ever meet,” sighs TJ. “It’s a weird way to live, yet it’s beautiful. He passed away during the writing process. The record seemed to finish itself after that. The album is a eulogy to not just Davey, but countless friends we’ve lost in the last couple of years.”

TJ helmed the album as producer and sent it off to Kurt Ballou’s legendary God City Studio in Salem, MA where Zach Weeks mixed it. Sonically, it maintained the edge that fans have come to know and expect with some slight tweaks.

“KOVA is different,” affirms the frontman. “I expounded on the lyrics more than I usually would’ve, because the subject matter is so personal. The vocals are also bit dryer and more intentional. You really feel it.”

The opener and first single “Enemy” definitely sets the tone. Feedback groans until a melodic lick pushes the song into overdrive. It culminates on an ominous refrain, “You’re the enemy…Keep the enemy close.” Fret-burning leads entwine at a breakneck pace, bleeding into a screeching solo drenched in wah and echo.

“It’s lyrically related to ‘Mirror’ from Thrones,” he reveals. “You’re ultimately realizing that you are your own worst enemy. So, you’re drowning the ego and being real with yourself about who you are. It’s aligned with the overall concept.”

Then, there’s the two-part title track “Kova (Crawl) Intro” and “Kova (Crawl).” On “Crawl,” acoustic strumming creaks beneath a soulful tear-soaked verse as he laments, “I heard that little boy go quiet, with heavy hearts we said goodbye.” Its heavier companion stomps forward on a swinging rhythm and chugging groove. Offering up a coronation over power chords, the hook booms with bravado, “Call him the king of wild hearts.”

“I was initially writing the song with a vague character in mind,” TJ goes on. “Davey died, and it became clear that the song was fully about him. That’s really when the chorus came to fruition. You’re watching someone slowly kill themselves in a tragic way. The acoustic and heavy versions are equally important. The two parts resemble the ripple effect Davey’s two sides had on people—the dark and the light sides.”

Then, there’s “Worshipper.” A fiery riff smolders in the foreground, giving way to a sample of Shannon Lay above distant gothic strings. “It’s dark as fuck,” he sighs. “I was dwelling in a really pessimistic place with a negative world view. I was depressed and drinking a lot. I had a few people around me who were leaning into Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, religion, and therapy. All of those things may be wonderful. However, they can also give a narcissist an artillery of weapons to use against others. ‘Worshipper’ embodies the weaponization of spirituality by a fake person on a soapbox. You’re worshipping a false prophet.”

“Forgiveness” hinges on bluesy guitar transmissions and a dusty vocal. TJ muses, “Truth is a chamber of bullets and echoes of friends.” Flanked by wailing six-string cries, he accepts, “The curtain keeps closing, but it’s too late to leave now. Goddamn.”

“The lyrics lined up with everything else,” he says. “It’s the human existence of battling addiction and living life to the fullest.”

Ultimately, this is the soundtrack for waking up and going full throttle in pursuit of whatever drives you.

“We’re lucky to be able to tell stories of a legend who’s not with us anymore,” TJ leaves off. “When you have good friends and bandmates around you though, the phoenix rises, and something beautiful comes out of that loss. Life is tough, incredible, and gnarly. Go ahead, embrace who you are, and keep going.”

KOVA is available for pre-order now on CD/DD/Vinyl and will be released by RidingEasy Records from September 25th 2026.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thanks to RidingEasy Records for the details.