Midnight Whiskey Massacre - Satan's Grin (EP Review)

Release Date: March 18th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Satan’s Grin - Tracklisting

1.Satan's Grin 06:38 

2.The Decline 04:21

3.Rocking Chair 05:12

Members

Guitars, Vocals and Lyrics by Darren Ironside

Bass on 'The Decline' by Samuel Jurrell

Drums- Loius Osman

Review

Satan’s Grin is the new EP from Doom/Stoner Rockers Midnight Whiskey Massacre who play an intoxicating mix of Psych, Punk, Alternative, Blues, Fuzz and Southern Rock on their new EP. This feels like a classic sounding Post-Punk band finding the joys of Stoner Rock/Metal and just saying “FUCK IT” lets play whatever comes to mind. There’s a sense of experimental creative freedom on this EP with Midnight Whiskey Massacre feeling inspired by the likes of The Pogues for a start. 

Lead vocalist Darren Ironside feels like he’s channeling Shane McGowan and Mark E Smith at times. This shouldn’t really work but the blistering WEEDIAN grooves with the Post-Punk lyrics is downright original and brilliant at times especially on the excellent opening track Satan’s Grin. The song is too wonderfully surreal to fully describe and the chaotic style of Black Sabbath / Electric Wizard based grooves that are merged with a subtle Classic Hard Rock sound leave you wondering how crazy can this EP actually become. And the answer is quite simple with Midnight Whiskey Massacre continuing on the same style of Decadence and Debauchery on the final two tracks.

The final two tracks of The Decline and Rocking Chair do have more  of a reliance on Proto-Doom sounds with a subtle Thrash based attitude appearing within The Decline which reminds me of Metallica in places before the band return to the Doom/Stoner realm. Though, the Post-Punk vibe of Darren’s vocals are never fully absorbed into the Doom/Stoner Metal world which the EP wholly becomes a part of when the final moments of Rocking Chair is fully over.

Satan’s Grin is quite a deceptive and deceiving EP with Midnight Whiskey Massacre creating their own great style of music where I wanted the band to include perhaps one final track with the fantastic instrumental sounds that Darren, Samuel and Louis fully commit themselves to. Though, the real highlight is Darren’s superbly offbeat vocals and insightful lyrics which you don’t fully come across within the underground scene.

I want a full length record now and I want it now GODDAMMIT!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Links

 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Fuzz Evil - Smear Merchants (Album Review)

Release Date: March 21st 2025. Record Label: Desert Records. Formats: CD/DD

Smear Merchants - Tracklisting

1.The Fraile Mourning of Eternity 00:16

2.Wanderer's Wake 04:54

3.Doomsayer's Lament 02:23

4.The Juice is Loosh 04:56

5.Sermons of the Defiant 01:50

6.Smear Merchants 06:15

7.Progression of the Black Sun 08:02

8.Under the Starlit Grave 04:30

9.How to Vibe Alone 07:01

10.Whispers from the Abyss 05:11

Members

Vocals/Guitar: Wayne Rudell: 

Bass: Joseph Rudell 

Baritone Guitars: Preston Jennings 

Drums: Cajun Adams

Review

Doom/Stoner Rockers Fuzz Evil always embraced the “FUZZ” part of their name with only slight and brief excursions into the “EVIL” part of their name. However, that creative stance has changed with their new album Smear Merchants with the band a fully fledged four piece with Cajun Adams being added to drums. Smear Merchants is a gloomy and angst based journey into Fuzz Evil’s psyche where the melodic harmonies of their previous albums being replaced by an obsessive Black ‘N’ Roll sound that still allows Fuzz Evil to be part of the ever growing fabric of the Stoner Rock/Metal scene.

There’s an evil aspect that comes shining throughout Fuzz Evil’s music with some certain commercial poppier aspects being possessed by an evil spirit with some catchy vocals and no-fucks-given based lyrics thats used superbly on early tracks such as Wanderer’s Wake, Doomsayer’s Lament and The Juice Is Loosh. Fuzz Evil don’t lose sight of their offbeat humour which made their earlier albums such an absolute blast to listen to. 

Smear Merchants has harsh vocals, sludge metal grooves and distorted passages which I never thought I would hear from the band. This record feels like it’s been conjured by Fuzz Evil making a deal with the devil as they project some gloomy atmospherics that taps right into the 1970’s Occult Horror scene at times which feels inspired by Electric Wizard and dare I say Mastodon at times with the progressive sludge angle that appears.

This does feel like early-era QOTSA jamming with Black Sabbath especially with the more riff-fuelled parts of the album on Doomsayer’s Lament and The Juice Is Loosh. There is a deep sense of fear, dread and paranoia being included on the record which only adds the devilish sense of fun that Fuzz Evil brings to their overall sound. 

The vocals are handled primarily by lead singer/guitarist Wayne Ruddell and he’s superbly backed up by his brother Joseph Rudell who handles bass duties. However, the added inclusion of Cajun Adams on drums is the real surprise as he adds a violent and disruptive influence to Fuzz Evil’s music with his wonderful harsh growls and primal drumming.

He’s given Fuzz Evil a more muscular and progressive energy that becomes ever more domineering as times goes on especially on tracks such as: Smear Merchants, Progression Of The Black Sun and How To Vibe Alone being some of the heaviest and meanest tracks on the whole album. Plus I have to give credit to Preston Jennings (Guitars) as he adds some epic Psychedelic and Space Rock textures that showcase a fine style of cinematic storytelling to the album.

However, Fuzz Evil still offer plenty of moments where they relive their early formative years and play a classic style of Hard Rock, Stoner Rock and Fuzz Rock before it’s transformed into their new found style of nightmare fuel and I mean that as a huge compliment. 

Smear Merchants is without doubt Fuzz Evil’s best record to date though it could be hard sell for some of their established fanbase to embrace their new found style of Doom Metal creative energy. However,  that could be offset by the band gaining a potentially bigger audience with this record allowing them a chance to join the ranks of Doom Metal Overlords in the years to come. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Desert Bloom PR for the promo.

Smear Merchants is available to buy on CD/DD via Desert Records.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

THAMMUZ ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM "III" – REVEAL FIRST SINGLE "WHEN DARKNESS COMES"

Argonauta Records is thrilled to announce the return of Dutch heavy rockers THAMMUZ with their third studio album, "III", set for release on May 9, 2025. Available in CD, Colored Vinyl and Digital formats, this highly anticipated record promises to deliver an intense fusion of fuzz-drenched riffs, hypnotic grooves, and powerful songwriting. Pre-orders will be announced soon!

With the album announcement, THAMMUZ also unveil their brand-new single, "When Darkness Comes", a thunderous and atmospheric track that showcases the band’s signature blend of stoner rock, doom and psychedelic influences, further cementing their place in the underground heavy music scene, also feat. Jelle Aaron Scholtes of Baardvader as guest vocals: https://song.link/Thammuz_WDC

Emerging from the Netherlands in 2020, THAMMUZ was formed by members of former bands Dreckneck and Fuzzboar, combining years of experience and a shared passion for heavy, groove-driven music. Their debut album, Into the Great Unknown (2020), quickly gained traction, reaching #2 on the international Doom Charts upon release. Following up with Sons of the Occult in 2022 via Argonauta Records, the band explored darker, more immersive soundscapes, solidifying their reputation as a formidable force in the stoner/doom genre.

Now, THAMMUZ are back with "III", an album that promises to push boundaries even further. Stay tuned for more details and prepare to immerse yourself in a sonic journey that blends raw power, haunting melodies, and crushing heaviness.

TRACKLIST:

When Darkness Comes
Old Man
Ishtar
Bloodlust
Risen
Boy in the Crow's Nest
Azazel
Dissolution
Devil's Gallow

"III" will be released on May 9, 2025, via Argonauta Records. Pre-orders coming soon!

For fans of Kyuss, Orange Goblin and Wo Fat, this is one release you won’t want to miss!

INFO:

https://www.facebook.com/ThammuzBand
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords
https://grandsounds.net/

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for all of the details.

Evil Still Remains. An Interview With MAT DAVIS From Doom Metallers CASTLE (The Electric Highway Festival Interview Special)

Doom Metallers CASTLE are performing at this year's The Electric Highway Festival on Friday April 05th 2025 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They released their new excellent new album EVIL REMAINS in 2024 to critical acclaim and it's not hard to see why as the record is a cold hard classic Doom Metal album of the highest order.

I caught up with Mat Davis (Guitar/Vocals) from the band to discuss what folks will have in store from CASTLE ahead of their festival performance.

How are things with you today?

Hi, things are going great. Thanks for reaching out with the interview.

How are the preparations currently going?

We have 28 shows coming up split into a couple of tours in the US/CAN and also Europe so right now there's a lot of planning. The first show is Electric Highway Fest in Calgary and really we're looking forward to it.

What can people in attendance expect from CASTLE for this festival performance?

We're stoked to be closing night one of the fest so we'll probably do our full set, usually it's a mix of high energy and heavy vibes.

What type of set will you be performing though I presume it will be focusing upon your excellent new album EVIL REMAINS.

Yeah we're currently playing 6 of the songs from the new album. We're also playing at least a song or two from every release including one we haven't played in a while from In Witch Order for these upcoming shows, so between the new ones and a few older deep cuts I think people will dig it.

What bands are you looking forward to see performing live at The Electric Highway Festival?

I'm looking forward to seeing as many bands as possible. A couple I've seen here in Vancouver so will be cool to see them again, hopefully, I can catch Chunk and Blacksmith & Brewer. There's a bunch of local Calgary bands which will be cool to see too.

Your new album EVIL REMAINS was released last year and what a brilliant record that was. Have you been pleased with the responses it's received so far. What can people expect from this record compared to your previous albums.

Awesome thanks. You never know what to expect but we were happy with the finished record. We spent a long time on it for us, about 5 years; which was enough to let the songs evolve so that there was a natural flow to them and our producer Jesse Gander here in Vancouver also did an awesome job on the sound. Having said all that it's extra cool when people are into it.

What has been the high points and low points performing with the band?

I think the high point is getting to traveling and also meeting/seeing people. Not many lows but they usually involve long travel days or feeling like crap on the road!

Do you have any exciting releases coming in the future?

We'll be working on new Castle music over the summer and fall so hopefully we'll have something next year. 

How did you get involved with music? Was it a particular album, group or artist that made you want to write and play your own music?

I don't think there was one band in particular but I started playing guitar at a pretty young age. At the time I listening to Priest, Dio, Ozzy, Sabbath, Maiden, Metallica... this would have been like '83/84. I would say I was and still am inspired by the riffs.

Will you be performing any gigs later in the year?

We're looking into some more North American shows in late 2025, we'll keep you posted.

Before you go, do you have any words of wisdom for your fans currently out there?

Thanks for the support and hope we see you on the road!

Words by Steve Howe and Mat Davis

CASTLE "Evil Remains" North America

04/04 Calgary, AB - Electric Highway Fest
16/04 Sacramento, CA - Cafe Colonial
17/04 Los Angeles, CA - Knucklehead
18/04 San Francisco, CA - Kilowatt
19/04 Mt Shasta, CA - Vet's Club
20/04 Portland, OR - High Water Mark
21/04 Seattle, WA - El Corazon
30/04 Toronto, ON - The Garrison
01/05 Detroit, MI - Smalls
02/05 Chicago, IL - Legions Of Metal Fest
03/05 Madison, WI - Gamma Ray Bar
04/05 Pittsburgh, PA - Poetry Lounge
05/05 Brooklyn, NY - The Woodshop
06/05 Boston, MA - Middle East Club
07/05 Montreal, PQ - Piranha Bar
08/05 London, ON - Palasad
09/05 Hamilton, ON - Doors Pub
10/05 Ottawa, ON - Dominion Tavern

CASTLE "Evil Remains" Europe 2025

29/05 Muskelrock Fest @ Tyrolen, SE
30/05 Hamburg, DE - Bambi Galore
31/05 Desertland - Berlin DE
01/06 Prague, CZ - Modra Vopice
02/06 Goppingen, DE - Zille
03/06 Düsseldorf, DE - Pitcher
04/06 Rotterdam, NL - V11
05/06 Landgraaf, NL Nieuwe Nor
06/06 GockelScream Fest - near Dresden DE
07/06 Battle Cry Fest @ Turock, Essen DE

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

​Electric Highway Festival Info:

Website: TheElectricHighway.ca​
Facebook: Facebook.com/ElectricHighwayFestival​
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1149647296782460/​
Instagram: Instagram.com/TheElectricHighway​
X: X.com/TheElectricHwy​
​​
Hashtag #BuckleUp #EHF2025

Thanks to Mat for doing the interview and for Asher Media PR for arranging the interview

Amammoth - Distant Skies And The Ocean Flies (Album Review)

Release Date: March 21st 2025. Record Label: Electric Valley Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl.

Distant Skies And The Ocean Flies - Tracklisting

1.Intro

2.Among Us

3.Chosen

4.So High So Numb

5.Sink or Swim

6.Satellite 05:34

7.Ashes Remain

8.Interstitial

Members

Scott Fisher – vocals, guitar 

Scott Wilson – drums 

Warwick Poulton – bass

Review

Aussie Sludge/Stoner Metallers Amammoth second album Distant Skies And The Ocean Flies is quite an aggressive and obsessively bleak record with the band developing harsh atmospherics with a violent Fuzz Doom sound. With the band aligning themselves more closely to the likes of CONAN, High On Fire, BONGZILLA and SLEEP. There’s a deep fascination with LOW & SLOW and REVERB based heaviness within this record which comes out in full force across the opening tracks of Intro and Among Us. The sounds are weighed down by a mighty thick level of NOISE and GRIME which Amammoth have used on their previous records but not as fully developed or as heavy as this great album.

Second track Among Us is the longest track on the album with Amammoth using a classic ELECTRIC WIZARD mentality for their lyrics and how Scott Fisher’s muscular vocals are delivered. The sound may seem simplistic at times but it’s the little things that you begin to notice at how progressive and refreshing everything sounds. Subtle flashes of Psychedelic Beats and that claustrophobic Doomed Out energy that resonates from the excellent rhythm section of Scott Wilson on Drums and Warwick Poulton on Bass respectively. The song is quite slow to begin with but the band speed things up ever so slightly with a killer Blues Rock sound developing which allows the record to become more OCCULT focused at times.

Distant Skies And The Ocean Flies lyrical themes cover topics such as extraterrestrial life, religion, aquatic and UFO’s that will thrust the listener into many complex ideas and theories. However, Amammoth have quite the talent of keeping everything grounded and realistic. The sounds become more blurred with elements of Groove, Drone and Space Rock appearing more on more on tracks such as Chosen, So High So Numb, Sink Or Swim, Satellite and Interstitial which allows Amammoth the perfect opportunity to finely tune their seedy style of LOW & SLOW to reach greater musical heights. 

The record never loses its sense of bleakness and self-loathing at the world. There are no uplifting instrumental passages or tracks for Amammoth to lighten the mood with. This is a band who focus upon the darker side of Sludge/Stoner Metal and just run RIOT with this style of music. Distant Skies And The Ocean Flies is an exhilarating experience where you may need to switch off from the world after listening to the album. 

Amammoth are one of the heaviest and filthiest bands to emerge from the Aussie Sludge/Stoner Metal scene in recent years and they sure do have the necessary talent to back that up with a MASSIVE SOUNDING record that should propel the band onto bigger and greater things. Be prepared to see this album claiming one of those important Album Of The Year Contender spots before the year is out. It’s already grabbed a place on mine….

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Qabar PR for the promo.

Distant Skies And The Ocean Flies is available to buy on DD/Vinyl from the links below.

Electric Valley Records Official

Electric Valley Records BandCamp

Glory Or Death Records (North America Only)

Links

 

https://www.facebook.com/amammoth

https://www.instagram.com/amammothdoom
https://amammoth.bandcamp.com

Introducing Bear Bones: doom-infused blues featuring members of Elephant Tree, Limb, Swedish Death Candy, Black Moth and Morag Tong

Bear Bones was born from a whiskey-fueled jam session between Rob Hoey (Limb) and Pete Holland (Elephant Tree), riffing on old blues tunes deep into the night. When they stumbled upon Vanilla Fudge's 1967 debut album—packed with raw, soulful covers and a single original track—they found their blueprint. In true blues rock tradition, they set out to create something that felt just as authentic and unpolished.

The duo brought in heavy hitters from across the underground scene: Alex from Morag Tong, Marco from Swedish Death Candy, and Federica from Black Moth. As the sessions heated up at Bear Bites Horse Studios with the legendary Wayne Adams behind the board, more friends jumped in for the ride. Scott from Green Lung, Susie from Brume, and Jack from Stubb all laid down killer grooves, adding to the album's gritty, old-school vibe.

With Wayne capturing the raw energy of the room, the result was pure magic—a true jam session that oozes vintage blues rock soul. No gimmicks, no gloss. Just pure, unfiltered sound straight from the gut.

Bear Bones is a doom-infused blues supergroup rising from the underground, featuring members of Elephant Tree, Limb, Swedish Death Candy, Black Moth and Morag Tong. Steeped in the raw soul of the blues and the crushing weight of doom, their sound is both haunting and hypnotic—where fuzz-drenched riffs meet smoky, melancholic grooves. With guest appearances from members of Green Lung, Stubb, Brume, and more, Bear Bones is set to shake the foundations of heavy music. With a new album on the horizon, this is just the beginning. The blues has never been heavier—welcome to Bear Bones.

First single “Waitin' Around to Die" was written and originally performed by Townes Van Zandt. Listen now:

Bear Bones will be performing The Black Heart, London on Friday April 4th. There will also be guest appearances during their set.  Support comes from Sky Valley Mistress, Okay You Win and Blue Tree Monitor. 

Tickets: https://www.ourblackheart.com/events/2025/4/4/bear-bones

Socials:

https://bearbonesgang.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/bearbones_band/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574133934922

Thanks to For The Lost PR for details.

L'IRA DEL BACCANO / YAMA - Tempus Deorum (Split Album Review)

Release Date: March 28th 2025. Record Label: Subsound Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Tempus Deorum - Tracklisting

L’Ira Del Baccano -. Tempus 25 (Sempiternal Rapture)

Yama - Wish to go under

Yama - The Absolute

Yama - Naraka

L’Ira Del Baccano Members

Alessandro Santori: guitars, loops, synths.

Roberto Maldera: guitars, FX, Slide Guitar, Synths.

Gabriele Montemara: Bass.

Gianluca Giannasso: Drums.

Yama Members

Alex Schenkels: vocals, bluesharp.

Sjoerd Albers: guitar.

Peter Taverne: bass.

Joep Schmitz: drums.

Review

Tempus Deorum is a new split album featuring the talents of Italian Spaced Out Doom Riff Wizards L’IRA DEL BACCANO and Netherlands Doom/Stoner Rockers YAMA. This is YAMA’s first batch of new material in eleven years since the band reformed in 2024. Both bands operate on different ends of the Doom Metal spectrum but are united within their core belief of creating HEAVY GROOVES that have a subtle Space Rock energy to them. Both bands get the perfect opportunity to showcase their musical talents on this epic split release.

Up first is L’IRA DEL BACCANO with their classic track Tempus 25 (Sempiternal Rapture) which is a slightly modified version of the original track Tempus Inane Flago, Requiem Spatiumque Furori which appeared on their classic 2007 Live Album Si Non Sedes Is - Live MMVII which was actually one of the first albums I ever reviewed when I created The Sludgelord blog back in March 2011. So, this track feels like reconnecting with an old friend that you haven’t seen for a very long time. 

The song still feels vital and has a modern day sound compared to the original. This is perhaps L’IRA DEL BACCANO’s most famous track with the band playing a spellbinding mix of Psych Rock, Doom Metal, Space Rock and Stoner Metal that’s held together by a cinematic Progressive Rock energy. This version is more stripped back and feels like it’s been built from the ground up with a haunting DRONE aspect which wasn’t heard within the original. The song starts off quietly but slowly transforms into different and heavier DOOMEDELIC passages within its epic nineteen minutes runtime. The instrumental grooves are played to perfection with L’IRA DEL BACCANO once again proving why they’re one of the most essential bands to come out from the Italian Doom/Stoner Metal scene.

Yama are up next with their side of the split record where they offer three new tracks that have a heavier riffier approach compared to L’IRA DEL BACCANO. With flashes of a riff-centric based sound that dives head into a Prog Rock direction compared to their 2014 debut album Ananta. The opening track Wish To Go Under sees Yama have a heavier Progressive Sludge sound with moments of Thrash based energy being played at a thrilling fast pace. The song is quite vivid with flashes of Psychedelic Grooves coming from all corners and angles with Alex Schenkels vocals perfectly leading the HEAVY METAL charge throughout. 

The second track from Yama, The Absolute is one built on distorted rhythms and fractured melodies which have a harsh Drone sound slowly emitting from the speakers with the band wisely taking their time in bringing a heavier DOOM/SLUDGE atmosphere which is way heavier than you initially expect. The song can be quite THEATRICAL with Yama using the many ploys of HEAVY METAL dynamics to create the standout track of their batch of songs. The final stages of The Absolute allows Yama to demonstrate a new found style of Progressive Heaviness which results in some splendid instrumental grooves to lose yourself in.

The final track from Yama, Naraka is a stunning Psych/Doom/Stoner Metal based track with the band creating sounds that could have easily fitted on their excellent debut album but this has a more modern sound. As Yama merges Post-Stoner / Post-Doom surroundings with that cinematic sound being applied to a heavier Progressive attitude which ends the song on a triumphant note. I’m hoping that Yama will have more new material to be released in the future, as on this evidence alone, they have sorely been missed.

Tempus Deorum is a must have split-record featuring two great bands that allows them the perfect opportunity to gain a considerable following within their respective genres. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Shake Promotion for the promo.

You can pre-order ‘Tempus Deorum’ split album from Subsound Records where it's due to be release on March 28th 2025.

L’Ira Del Baccano Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

YAMA Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram