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.

Some Pills For Ayala - Dystopia (Album Review)

Release Date: October 21st 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Dystopia - Tracklisting

1.Little Fingers 08:00

2.Black Rains 04:39

3.Above and Below 08:52

4.Regrets 04:28

5.Flying to Nowhere 04:40

6.Falling Down 08:05

7.Rise to the Surface 05:43

8.Dystopia 02:57

Lineup

Music played and recorded by Néstor Ayala Cortés

Review

Dystopia is the latest sonic adventure from Some Pills For Ayala which is the solo project from Néstor Ayala Cortés better known for his work with the Chilean Doom/Fuzz/Stoner Metal band At Devil Dirt. The record should appeal to fans of Brant Bjork, KYUSS, QOTSA and Yawning Man. The record is given a freakish and fuzzed up makeover with an escapist Southern American underground flavour that allows Some Pills For Ayala to move into areas of Drone, Psych, Space and Electronica which is quite potent to hear from the very offset.

Some Pills For Ayala offer a more mind-expanding and lysergic experience which taps quite heavily into the SONIC and FREAKOUT surroundings of Stoner Rock/Metal that feels like Néstor is tapping into multiple worlds and dimension for some of the music he conjures up here. 

The mood is quite laid-back for the most part within the opening track Little Fingers where there’s a deep BRANT BJORK energy resonating from the vocals and lyrics before a seedy aggressive burst of Fuzzed Up Stoner Metal taps into heavier influences but still allowing Some Pills For Ayala to generate their own style of epic music of their own making. The trippy and middle eastern beats appear minimally but make a massive impact and impression which becomes quite a common theme throughout the album.

Second track Black Rains is a soulful slice of Space Rock with a great style of Grunge, Stoner Metal and Alt-Metal forming with influences such as Monster Magnet and Alice In Chains beginning to emerge. The whole mood does feel inspired by Alice In Chains especially with the vocals, lyrics and musical tempo changes which makes this such a great track to listen to repeatedly before moving onto the next track on the album. You can expect to hear more SONIC and AMPLIFIER DISTORTION which allows the Sludge Rock aspect of the track to take complete control.

Third track Above and Below sees Some Pills For Ayala to change musical direction yet again with an abstract style of Grunge, Desert Rock and Fuzz Rock with the soulful Stoner based melody having a long distance approach. The song does take time to fully come together but when it does then you’re treated to one of the standout tracks on the album. Levels of synths appear which add a cool sounding ELECTRONIC vibe to the hallucinogenic journey that becomes heavier, faster and aggressive as time passes by. With a rich sounding Post-Rock narrative slowly transforming into finely played strands of Experimental Rock that becomes a majestic Post-Stoner and Space Rock sound before the song beautifully fades into the distance.

Fourth track Regrets is a sullen Ambient/Post-Rock number with brooding vocal passages set against a bleak Psychedelic tunnel which isn’t heaviest but contains some of the most interesting musical arrangements on the whole album.

Fifth track Flying To Nowhere is the most experimental track held on the album with Some Pills For Ayala playing with distorted feedback loops, warped electronics and vocals from another dimension. You can expect to experience areas of sonic experimentation and upbeat space rock grooves. The song is filtered through levels of twisted amounts of DRONED OUT electronics which leave you quite unsettled in places. 

For the final three tracks of the album (Falling Down, Rise to the surface and Dystopia) Some Pills For Ayala continues with their warped sense of melody and sonic distortion amongst the world of Heavy Psychedelics and intense Stoner Rock/Metal energy with some of the best grooves appearing on this part of the album. The whole musical dynamic is quite offbeat but also paying loving respect to the Nineties Stoner Metal scene. Vocals are excellent yet again from Néstor with some great lyrics allowing him to demonstrate what a great vocalist he actually is.

Dystopia is quite a challenging and highly unusual record but it’s one that offers a wealth of classic sounding Grunge, Psych, Space Rock, Fuzz Rock and Stoner Metal instrumental passages which is such a dangerously addictive record to fully experience. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

Yawning Man - Pavement Ends (Album Review)

Release Date: November 14th 2025. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Pavement Ends - Tracklisting

Burrito Power

Gestapo Pop

Bomba Negra

Dust Suppression

Pavement Ends

Bad Day To Be Alive

Lineup

Gary Arce - Guitars

Bill Stinson - Drums

Mario Lalli - Bass

Review

Psych/Desert Rockers Yawning Man return with Pavement Ends which follows a heavier and emotionally charged path than their last celebrated release of 2023’s Long Walk Of The Navajo. This record sees the band offer a deeper and reflective sound with a dominant Shoegaze and Post-Rock element that culminates in a pounding Stoner Rock movement which only they themselves can wholly create. Yawning Man even adds a dash of STONER METAL heaviness into their music which is heard within the epic opening track  of Burrito Power. 

The track constructs a Post-Rock and Desert Rock aesthetic with a haunting Cinematic Rock score before adding the deliciously heavy metallic surroundings whilst remaining to their core Desert Rock creative beliefs with passages of immense maturity. Yawning Man are continuously evolving their music into something different which makes this such a rich and rewarding experience despite the bleak “DOOM & GLOOM” surroundings that Pavement Ends offers from time-to-time.

Yawning Man employ their trademark sounds of the Desert to great effect which moves into classic areas of tranquil Post-Rock, Alt Rock and Shoegaze dynamics on the stunning tracks of Gestapo Pop, Bomba Negra and Dust Suppression. These are tracks with a lot to say about the modern world and despite the lack of vocals then Yawning Man has a lot to say which you can’t help but be fully on board with.

The album is their most daring, heavy and aggressive record to date but it’s one that offers plenty moments of EUPHORIC grooves though with some epic sonic distortion adding a level of mystery to the record. Watch out for the trippy areas of FUZZ ROCK that feels more destructive here than Yawning Man have ever played but this matches the world-weary attitude and message of the whole album. 

The strands of Atmospheric Rock and Prog Rock come full circle within the excellent final two tracks of Pavement Ends and Bad Day To Be Alive with Yawning Man still creating intense new musical boundaries and merging with the legendary sounds of the Desert for a thrilling musical spectacle that is brilliantly thought provoking and ultimately uplifting in equal measure.

Pavement Ends is another brilliant album from the masters of Desert Rock and even with Yawning Man being in the game for almost forty years, they’re still proving their way ahead of the competition where nobody comes close to making Instrumental Rock music such as this.

Incredible. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the details.

Pavement Ends is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds.

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Doom Metal Act GRIM COLOSSUS Drops “Flesh Of The Fallen Star” Lyric Video Off Upcoming EP “Unhallowed Blasphemies”!

Swedish doom metaller GRIM COLOSSUS has released the lyric video of the song “Flesh Of The Fallen Star,” included in the new EP “Unhallowed Blasphemies” slated for release on November 28th.

“Unhallowed Blasphemies” features four songs inspired by H.P Lovecraft stories. As in the previous work, “Unhallowed Blasphemies” has the same dark atmospheres with haunting riffs and dramatic vocals telling tales of horror.

“Flesh Of The Fallen Star” is the story known as "Colour Out Of Space", where a meteorite crashes onto a farm, and the impact of it leaves a strange, otherworldly color that infect and mutate the land around it, and time itself.

Watch the lyric video of “Flesh Of The Fallen Star” here: https://tinyurl.com/murjdyfn

Stream/download the single on

YouTube Music: https://tinyurl.com/mwjx8k9w
Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/ytb5263x
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/4v75jjye
Deezer: https://tinyurl.com/jn9r46k2

Pre-order the EP “Unhallowed Blasphemies” on Bandcamp: 

A dark and dreary sound with a focus on heavy riffs, and a gloomy atmosphere, accompanied by haunting lyrics and vocal style has been the goal of GRIM COLOSSUS, the one-man band hailing from Sweden, on the island of Hönö right outside of Gothenburg.

Inspired by epic and traditional doom metal bands such as Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, Trouble, among other great metal acts whose influence can be heard through the music, and was apparent for new fans since the beginning of the debut EP in 2022.

What originally started as a few jumbled musical ideas with no goal in mind, quickly became something with a life of its own, after lighting a spark within.

Though hints of the aforementioned influences can always be heard, GRIM COLOSSUS is growing more and more into its own sound and identity with every new release.

All music was written, recorded and produced by Magnus Berglind. Logo by Misanthropic Illustrations. Photos by Magnus Berglind. Lyric video by @dead__man on Fiverr.

Discography:

“Where Shadows Dwell” (2022, Independent, EP)
“Slain By The Author” (2023, Independent, Single)
“Jag Längtar” (2023, Independent, Single)
“Descent Into Madness (2024, Independent, Full-Length)
“Dimman” (2024, Independent, Single)
“Unhallowed Blasphemies” (2025, Independent, EP)

Follow GRIM COLOSSUS:

Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Thanks to The Metallist PR for all of the details.

Introduce Yourselves: P+A+G+E+S

What is the name of your band?

The name of our band is, P+A+G+E+S, and it’s pronounced, “pages”. From 2014 - 2023, we used to call ourselves Morning Pages after the mind-clearing writing exercise by Julia Cameron from her book, The Artist’s Way. We mimicked the idea of catharsis and the improvisation of the writing method with a post-rock and soundscaping approach to visuals that we created internally and projected during live shows. We were (and still are) very inspired by Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

The ‘+’ in between the band name’s letters resemble an equation. It’s esoteric and spellwork in that it’s a metaphorical symbol so the name becomes imbued with meaning. It represents balance or equilibrium through equality and inclusivity for the marginalized. The Pages in tarot represents new beginnings and catalysts for personal growth. In 2017, we pivoted to a heavier sound to represent our views and, in 2024, we simplified our name to P+A+G+E+S as part of solidifying our statement. We support women, LGBTQI+, BIPOC, human rights and animal rights. 

What is the genre of music that you play?

We play atmospheric noise, doom, drone, sludge punk and post-metal.

Can you give a brief history of the band of how it came together and where it is today?

We are based in Cape Town, South Africa. Helo samo (the guitarist, vocalist and sample maker) and Frank Lunar (the bassist) came together in 2013 as an ambient duo. Caitlin Mkhasibe (the drummer) joined in 2014. Up until 2016, we had gone through various additional band members and, from 2017, the three of us became the stable members since then. Up until 2019, we were very underground in our approach. From 2019, we became intentional with how we put our current music out to the public and started planning to release our debut full length studio album, No More Can Be Done.

We are fully independent, remain very punk and DIY in our ethos as we’re all artists and do a lot of the band’s creative direction, copy, photography, illustration, design, videos and editing, social media, props and costumes. For this debut release, we’re extremely fortunate to be able to work with our good friend, Simon Ratcliffe of Sound and Motion Studios to record the album; the lovely folks that helped us create the Shine On music video, Louise Coetzer and Oscar O’Ryan; Rouleaux van der Merwe of Permanent Record, who organized the vinyl pressing and Warren Gibson of Plug Music Agency is helping us promote the album.

What can people expect from your music?

People can expect to hear low, raw, emotionally charged music with distorted, low tuned instruments and sparse vocal lines. The sound resembles the overlapping themes of existential dread, geopolitical and environmental despair caused by greedy, colonial imperialists while searching for light and resilience to fight back.

What is the best release that folks should check out from your band?

No More Can Be Done is our debut album and it was released on October 25th 2025.

We recorded it with Simon Ratcliffe and Carl Roberts at Sound and Motion Studios in Cape Town. It was a phenomenal experience as the studio’s team do a lot of work for film and TV, which meant Simon understood the atmospheric element of our album. He brought out the best in us and was one of the first people to believe in our vision for the album. The old church in which the studio is located is beautiful and really inspiring.

Do you have any live shows coming up?

We have a few upcoming live shows in Cape Town:

We will be the opening band at Madman Mayhem at District on November 28th 2025. This event is organized by FOUL PLAY and Planet Karavan (Rico Niezen). This will be our first public show as P+A+G+E+S.

On February 7th 2026, we will have our album launch at the Masque Theatre in Muizenberg. In the same month, we will record a Spinal Session at Spinal Tap Bar in Observatory, where we will work with Carl Nienaber to create a special beer on tap, which will be available for the public screening at his bar.

On April 4th 2026, we will play a doom-themed show at District again, opening for  bands, Constellatia and Vast Vale.

Where can people find you on Social Media?

People can find our music videos and recorded live sets on YouTube: @PAGES_DOOM

Our music is only available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp: pagesdoom.bandcamp.com

We are on Instagram as @pages_doom

Thanks Plug Music Agency for all of the details.

Betty’s Nuklear Ignite A New Era With Their Hard-Hitting Single “Beach Blood”

Recorded in the heart of the Garden Route, this self-produced anthem delivers raw emotion and rebellious spirit.

South African hard rock powerhouse Betty’s Nuklear are back with their explosive new single, Beach Blood — a track that perfectly captures the band’s fearless energy and uncompromising attitude.

Formed in 2020, Betty’s Nuklear have built a loyal following across the Garden Route and beyond, known for their dynamic, timeless vocals, nostalgic shredding solos, and a hard-hitting rhythm section that keeps fans coming back for more. With Beach Blood, they channel that same intensity into a song that hits as hard emotionally as it does sonically.

Inspired by their hometown and the people who’ve supported them since day one, Beach Blood is both a love letter and a battle cry. “The music-hungry fans that we’ve acquired over the last five years have been there every step of the way — and always supported us, even when the venues did not,” the band shares.

At its core, Beach Blood is “an anthem to people who are tired of being spoon-fed nonsense by the world, and just want to feel something real — feel something better.” Robust, honest, strong, and daring, the song is a reminder of what Betty’s Nuklear stand for: raw truth and real connection.

Buy / Stream BEACH BLOOD

The track was born in the band’s jam room, “We took that inspiration and beat that nail until the concept was born,” says vocalist Chad Abnett, who channels the emotion of the music into lyrics that reflect the genuine human experience. “It’s about deciphering the feelings of the song and personifying them in a way that’s real — something people can feel deep down.”

 

True to their DIY ethos, Beach Blood was recorded at the band’s own home studio in Hoekville, nestled deep in the valleys of the Garden Route. The process — powered by guitarist Darragh Concannon and his “beautiful mind,” as the band affectionately puts it — has evolved over time into a tight, collaborative effort. One-on-one tracking sessions capture every nuance of their sound, leading to a product that’s both polished and full of heart.

 

With Beach Blood, Betty’s Nuklear have crafted a bold statement — a rallying cry for authenticity in a world that often feels artificial. Join the movement. Join the Nuklear family.

Links

Facebook
Instagram
SoundCloud
YouTube

Thanks to Plug Music Agency For The Details.

Groove/Doom/Stoner Metallers PATRIARCHS IN BLACK release new digital single and lyric video I'm Coming Home

PATRIARCHS IN BLACK release new digital single and lyric video I'm Coming Home.

Dan Lorenzo (Guitars) from the band said the following about the track:

"When Johnny Kelly and I handed in our 4th original album (HOME) to MetalVille Records we had to cut a few songs out of the 17 we handed in. 

We chose to hold off on the track I'm Coming Home because we already had a bluesy track with Frankie Diaz on vocals.

The track which also features former Andrew Dice Clay bassist Sal Iuvara and Dave Seubert from Ten Ton Mojo on harmonica is out now EVERYWHERE digitally as well as a lyric video.

I wrote the song and played guitar and of course Johnny is on drums."

Links

www.instagram.com/patriarchsinblack
www.facebook.com/people/Patriarchsinblack/61559097640883
www.danlorenzo.net