DIMWIND - The Carrion Waltz (Album Review)

Release Date: April 10th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD.

The Carrion Waltz - Tracklisting

1.The Chime

2.My Uninvited Host 05:50

3.The Antagonist's Speech

4.Counterglow

5.Exit Talon Grasp

6.Absorbing The Infinite Impermanence

Members

Andreas Hansen – Guitars

Jonas Eriksson – Drums

Misha Sedini – Vocals

Review

The Carrion Waltz is the third full length album from Progressive Sludge/Post-Metallers DIMWIND which has a wave of different levels of Doom, Sludge, Stoner and Psychedelic movements contained throughout the album. The album is beautifully melodic with a classic style of Post-Metal aggression fuelled by the likes of Cult Of Luna and ISIS with DIMWIND bringing in areas of music inspired by the likes of Baroness and Mastodon. However, they instantly make their music, time and space within their own creative making. The band have transitioned from an Instrumental Post-Metal band to one that now has a lead vocalist with the addition of Misha Sedini on lead vocals.

The record is quite daring with the lyrics and vocal arrangements with a multitude of different styles forming from the very start within the stunning opening track of The Chime. DIMWIND combine a real life and haunting message into the album as even the band themselves call this record their “FUCK CANCER” album which it beautifully thrives upon. 

I’m going to post a blurb from their PR document why this record is called their “FUCK CANCER album”.

“For their third full-length album, Dimwind marks a powerful evolution — transitioning from an instrumental duo to a vocal-driven trio. But in the midst of writing and searching for the right vocalist, life took an unexpected and harrowing turn when drummer Jonas Eriksson’s wife was diagnosed with cancer. The creative process slowed, becoming both a refuge and a way to cope with the emotional weight of the situation.

Eventually, the diligent search for a vocalist paid off and the missing piece fell into place with the arrival of Misha Sedini, whose story brought an uncanny and deeply personal parallel. Misha had recently survived an aggressive form of blood cancer — and soon after his recovery, his wife was diagnosed with the exact same type now affecting Jonas’s partner.”

The addition of Misha Sedini as vocalist for this album allows DIMWIND to add a heavier element and progressive dimension to their music which makes this record their most complete and outstanding album to date. With the band using their recent life experiences for The Carrion Waltz, this gives an extra level of emotionally charged heaviness and bleak challenges for the listener to get through.

However, there’s also a high level of hopefulness throughout the album. The music is always heavy, dynamic and superbly realised with a truly cinematic style of technical proficiency being developed that’s played on tracks such as My Uninvited Host, Counterglow and Exit Talon Grasp.

DIMWIND use a some great Ambient and Post-Rock musical techniques which is mostly hidden in the background but that allows the album to have quite a stripped back feel whilst they mainly focus playing on their epic Progressive Metal and Post-Metal sound that results in a FUCK-TON of massive thuggish grooves. There’s some incredible fast-paced beat downs which do have a certain “mainstream” energy to them whilst allowing DIMWIND to keep within the boundaries of the underground HEAVY METAL scene.

The Carrion Waltz is a cautionary tale of human survival when the odds are completely stacked against you but it’s one that offers hope and ultimately survival. This record did make think of family and friends lost to cancer over the years which I thank DIMWIND for allowing me them to remember in a loving light especially within the fucked up times the world is currently going through.

DIMWIND put in an incredible performance in almost every aspect of The Carrion Waltz which could allow this album to be one of the most devastating and uplifting albums of the year so far. With exquisite production values and a superbly realized creative vision then I can’t recommend this album highly enough. I hope this record gets the full respect and attention it richly deserves. This is Post-Metal music of the highest order. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to DIMWIND for the promo..

The Carrion Waltz is available to buy from all good digital stockists now

Links 

Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Linktree

Yeast Machine - Bad Milk (Album Review)

Release Date: March 20th 2026. Record Label: Noisolution Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl.

Bad Milk - Tracklisting

1.Globalized Condolences 01:22

2.Falling Rocks (feat. The Red Flags) 03:29

3.Bad Milk 04:52

4.Foreshadowing 00:38

5.Dust on the Radio 04:14

6.Feeding Poison to the Spiders Was Never Really My Thing 03:39

7.Karthago 02:38

8.Honey & Sweat 03:33

9.Wobbly Wizzard 04:39

10.The Golden Cage 05:05

Review

Grunge/Stoner Rockers Yeast Machine offer their second album Bad Milk which builds upon the hard-rocking themes of their celebrated 2024 debut album SLEAZE. The record is still dominated by a heavy mix of Desert Rock, Psych Rock and Fuzz Rock attitude with that extra level of sleazy goodness that made their debut album such a delight. Yeast Machine once again still takes creative cues from the likes of FU MANCHU, QOTSA, KYUSS and ALICE IN CHAINS with a record that likes to play fast and loose with the rules of Stoner Rock in general.

Bad Milk allows the band to operate into other areas of music with strands of Punk, Garage Rock and Alt Rock. There’s a sublime Nineties quality to the whole album which fully kicks into gear very early on through the tracks of Globalized Condolences, Falling Rocks and Bad Milk. Yeast Machine develops a muscular presence with highly powerful FUZZED UP AMPLIFIERS and seedy Grunge theatrics that you can easily detect where the Alice In Chains influence comes from. 

Though, that doesn’t stop the band performing their own great style of rebellious music which is outshined by superb vocals and grounded lyrics on certain sections of the album. The album can be quite low-key with Yeast Machine playing a stripped back style of music that taps into the underground realm superbly well. There’s not many progressive moments on the album with Yeast Machine fully confident in playing a great style of Stoner Rock that fuses classic themes and modern day sensibilities which perhaps come into focus more on the longer tracks contuined on the record.

Yeast Machine prove their musical and creative worth perhaps more within the second half of the album as it has the most exciting melodies and aggressive moments on the record within tracks such as Dust On The Radio,  Honey & Sweat, Wobbly Wizard and The Golden Cage. Everything becomes quite darker and seedier with perhaps the “GRUNGE” aspect of Yeast Machine’s musical personality dictating the action of the rest of the album which absolutely leaves you wanting to hear more before everything is brought to a natural conclusion.

The musical performances are top-notch with the band building upon the great momentum they achieved with their debut album. The production values are handled superbly well that allows the music to grow naturally and sound super-fresh at the same time.

Bad Milk is a superb record through and through that allows Yeast Machine to prove once again what a great band the Grunge/Stoner Rock scene truly needs right now.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Broken Music and Noisolution for the promo..

Bad Milk is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Noisolution Records.

Links 

Official | BandCamp | LinkTree

Stoner Metallers Solar Mantra Reveal New Album “State of Joyful Lightness” and Release Second Single “Dynamite”

Following the release of their comeback single “A Brand New Grave,” Roman stoner rockers Solar Mantra unveil full details of their upcoming sophomore album “State of Joyful Lightness,” set for release on May 8th, 2026 via Argonauta Records on CD and digital formats, alongside the release of a brand new track, “Dynamite,” now available with an official lyric video: 

With “Dynamite,” the band delivers a powerful statement of their renewed sound, combining crushing riffs, driving grooves and a darker, more aggressive edge while maintaining the hypnotic and melodic traits that define their identity. The track further expands Solar Mantra’s sonic palette, balancing heaviness and catchiness with a raw, organic feel.

“State of Joyful Lightness” marks a significant evolution from the band’s 2021 debut “Away.” While rooted in stoner and heavy rock traditions, the new album dives into a more shadowy and intense atmosphere, enriched by psychedelic textures and emotionally driven songwriting.

The band comment:

“State of Joyful Lightness is a different album from our previous work, ‘Away,’ with a generally darker and more sinister sound. We’ve retained some psychedelic elements and lyrics focused on personal experiences, relationships, and obsessions, but always prioritizing heaviness and some catchy melodic moments. The most notable features, however, are the live recording sessions, which allowed us to capture the naturalness of our performances, captured via analog mixing system, which gave a warmer and more vintage flavour to our songs.”

Recorded through live sessions and analog mixing, the album captures the band’s natural energy and delivers a warm, vintage infused sound that enhances both its heaviness and dynamic range.

Drawing inspiration from acts such as Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Clutch, The Sword, Greenleaf, Dozer and Danzig, Solar Mantra continue to refine their blend of desert rock, grunge and heavy psych, pushing their sound into a more mature and cohesive direction.

Tracklist

Dynamite 05:15
Avetrana 02:30
Appaloosa 05:53
A Brand New Grave 03:42
Holy Water 04:59
Lucky Mia 05:13
Morning Glory 05:03
Shelter 05:07
Piñacolada 04:17
Raging River Of Fear (Captain Beyond cover) 03:50

For more info:

https://www.facebook.com/SolarMantraStoner
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

Psych Stoner Rockers MISTER EARTHBOUND Release Live Video For FOOLISH EYES From Their New EP OSTARA

Four years after their release of 2022's Shadow Work album, Mister Earthbound is resurrected with their newest 3-song seasonal release, Ostara. Featuring lush instrumentation, blooming harmonies, and driving percussion, Ostara is a heavy, bluesy, psychedelic reflection on the vernal.

Produced, tracked, mixed, and mastered by the band's own Walter Gray at his studio The Funhouse, Ostara is the first in an ambitious new series of EPs in 2026. Each is set to launch on a seasonal solstice or equinox, with the bound collection being released as their sophomore record, Endless Man.

The brainchild of guitarist Walter Gray, Mister Earthbound originally emerged after its founder returned to his hometown of Richmond, Virginia in 2016 armed with a pocket full of riffs and a drive to hit the road with a new project. Named as a homage to Napoleon Hill's book "Outwit The Devil", the quartet rapidly established themselves in their region and beyond as pioneers of a new breed of swamp rock, and have been captivating a diverse and growing fanbase ever since.

Building on the foundations laid by influences from the trippy tones of the 13th Floor Elevators and the raucous early days of Pentagram to the eerie blues of Robert Johnson with a psychedelic, doom-tinged approach, Mister Earthbound’s signature blend of searing riffs, haunting vocals, and driving rhythms transports audiences to the depths of the swamp both through their studio recordings and their electric live shows alongside sonic titans like Dead Meadow, Kadavar, Weedeater, YOB, and Black Mountain.

With a host of achievements already under their belt, including the release of their debut record "Shadow Work" via Kozmik Artifactz and a feature in Embassy Skateboards' "Winter Warriors", Mister Earthbound's momentum is at an all-time high as they prepare for their biggest undertaking yet with the Endless Man series of EPs.

Ahead of OSTARA's release tomorrow, the band have released a live video for the standout track Foolish Eyes for you to check out below:

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the details.

Ostara is available to buy from all good digital stockists now.

Links 

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Linktree

Doom/Stoner Rock Troublemakers BONG VOYAGE Release New Song ONE HUNDRED MILLION BILLION BEERS For From Upcoming New Album

Oslo rock'n'roll quintet BONG VOYAGE have signed to Ripple Music for the release of their debut album "Hedonistic Hard Rock" this May 8th 2026.

Those who want respect, give respect. You might see Bong Voyage as a problem: they're not, they are the solution. The solution to all of life's hardships. When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. 

So you think you’ve heard rock? Well, not like this! Bong Voyage are finally ready to release their super highly anticipated debut album, Hedonistic Hard Rock, in cahoots with Ripple Music. This album is a larger-than-life tribute to the very music that made your mom fall in love with your dad, and your friends fall in love with your sister. This album will take you from the dirtiest dive bars to the ring of Uranus, and everything in between.

Thanks to the amazing folks over at Purple Sage PR and Ripple Music we're excited to premiere the new song.for ONE HUNDRED MILLION BILLION BEERS. 

Ripple Music · 04_One Hundred Million Billion Beers

The Lowdown ON "Hedonistic Hard Rock"

Hedonistic Hard Rock is pure sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll incarnate, inspired by the true hedonists from the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘00s - the pioneers of pure overindulgence. Join Bong Jovi, Abuse Springsteen, Elton Bong, Bong Iver and Kim Bong Chill committing all the seven deadly sins, through the nine circles of hell, and back into-a-gadda-da-vida, baby!

New album "Hedonistic Hard Rock" - Out May 8th on Ripple Music (LP/CD/digital)

TRACKLIST:

1. Saturday Rite Special
2. Large and In Charge
3. UFOria
4. One Hundred Million Billion Beers
5. Escape Prison Planet Earth
6. Outer Space Freebase
7. Enabler
8. Wizard of Ozlo
9. In Possession

Bong Voyage blasted into the Norwegian heavy rock scene after releasing a bunch of independent singles, which instantly made them the most exciting new band in town. Their motley crew consists of known offenders from established acts such as Håndgemeng, Suncraft, and Buskas. They are a bunch of road-worn greasers who want to make a living playing rock ‘n’ roll. Give in to the beer pressure and lose yourself to hedonism — this is the perfect soundtrack to your next bender. As the Bong-boys say: live bong and prosper!

Bong Voyage is

Charlie Ytterli = Vocals
Simen Andersen = Guitar
Kim Grannes = Guitar
Tobias Paulsen = Drums
Asbjørn Halsten = Bass

Bong Voyage links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Ripple Music links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Fuzzing Nation - Mothertruck (Album Review)

 

Release Date: March 27th 2026. Record Label: Octopus Rising Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl.

Mothertruck- Tracklisting

01. Burning Roads 3:42

02. Mothertruckers 3:26

03. The Open Wound 5:21

04. Dead Old Tree 6:20

05. The Elder’s Code 3:58

06. I Don’t Believe 2:59

07. Fallen Angel 4:09

08. The Core Machine 4:19

09. Turn The Key 4:53

10. I Don’t Care At All 3:57

Members

Angel Ioannidis – Vocals, Guitars

Steve Giannakos – Bass

Terry Moros – Drums

Review

Greek Stoner Rockers Fuzzing Nation release their debut album Mothertruck and it has all of the right ingredients for making a truly spectacular debut album if you like your Stoner Riffs more MAMMOTH SIZED with fast-paced aggression leading the actual charge. The band hone their musical craft being influenced by the likes of KYUSS, FU MANCHU and TRUCKFIGHTERS though I would also add KOMATSU to that great list as well. Fuzzing Nation shares many musical similarities with that great band. The vocals are quite similar and they have a similar aggressive sound that almost goes into heavy Doomed Out waters. 

Though, Mothertruck has a highly impressive array of Nineties Stoner Rock/Metal melodies with a refreshing Grunge outlook when it’s really needed though the first couple tracks of Burning Roads and Mothertruckers follows the old school Desert/Stoner Rock template down to a fine art. There’s flashes of Psych Rock surroundings being played with Fuzzing Nation moving between different areas of HEAVY RAWK. The band perfectly balances classic eras of Stoner Rock laid down over the last forty years or so. 

Things change within the standout third track of The Open Wound with Fuzzing Nation experimenting with sonic dimensions and post-stoner passages which allows some of the heaviest and intense sounds to fully appear. There’s still a grounded aspect heard within the band’s music where the guys add a certain Greek Stoner Rock flavour into the mix that reminds me of 1000MODS, Nightstalker and Planet Of Zeus. The music can be slightly Progressive in places which shows a new wealth of creativity starting to emerge for the later stages of the album.

Fourth track Dead Old Tree does become slightly outlandish with the vocals that have a certain Bruce Dickinson energy to them. The album doesn’t go into NWOBHM territory but there’s a wicked Doom Rock sound emerging from behind the scenes which isn’t too surprising with Angel Ioannidis and Steve Giannakos being part of Greek Doomsters SORROWS PATH. Terry Moros was once part of Power/Heavy Metallers InnerWish. So they guys are seasoned pros but it’s perhaps with this track where the band fully solidifies this as an excellent Doomed Out Stoner Rock album of sublime instrumental passages and subversive psychedelic imagery throughout.

The rest of the album sees Fuzzing Nation continue to explore their musical horizons with Post-Stoner and Sonic surroundings which can be quite distorted from time-to-time. Though, the majority of the music is pure STONER ROCK magic that KYUSS and FU MANCHU first laid down the groundwork at the start of the legendary nineties scene. You can detect a rebellious Punk Rock attitude on tracks such as The Elder’s Code, Fallen Angel, The Core Machine and Turn The Key.

Mothertruck has all the makings of becoming a real firm favourite within the global underground scene as there’s enough outstanding sounds to allow Fuzzing Nation to become more well known in the future. And with the full power and backing of Italian Powerhouse Record label ARGONAUTA RECORDS behind them though released through their parallel label OCTOPUS RISING then I expect big things to happen for FUZZING NATION in the years to come.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grand Sounds PR for the promo..

Mothertruck is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Octopus Rising (Argonauta Records).

Links 

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Axe Dragger - Axe Dragger (Album Review)

Release Date: March 08th 2026. Record Label: Ripple Music. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl.

Axe Dragger - Tracklisting

1. Axe Dragger

2. Give You The Rope

3. Fight Another Day

4. Iron Rider

5. Eat Me From The Inside

6. Shock 'Em Dead

7. El Toro

8. The Damned Will Cry

9. Fire In The Madhouse

10. Death Is Calling My Name

Members

Terry Glaze - vocals

Bob Balch - guitars

Fredrik Isaksson - bass guitar

Pete Campbell - drums

Review

Calling a new band a super group is always a tricky proposition. Bringing established and renowned musicians together for a project disappoints much more often than it excites. Too many ideas and strong wills throws a wrench in the proceedings. That is not the case with the super group Axe Dragger however, quite the opposite in fact. Consisting of Terry Glaze (Pantera), Bob Balch (Fu Manchu, Big Scenic Nowhere), Fredrik Isaksson (Dark Funeral, Grave, Therion) and Pete Campbell (Pentagram, In-Graved, Place Of Skulls) Axe Dragger really came together and forged one hell of an album full of brilliant old school heavy metal but recorded with modern technology. Thus making it so rich and full in sound!

The title track, 'Axe Dragger' opens up the proceedings and unleashes a tight, razor sharp guitar and a crushing rhythm section. The band goes for weight instead of speed something which works great. 'Give You The Rope' follows and is full tilt heavy metal as the band goes for the jugular. Great guitar solo. Dropping in pace a little, 'Fight Another Day' is dark and lurking and chock-full of bad-ass riffs...great song, indeed! 'Iron Rider'  is like 70's blues-influenced Whitesnake mixed with Iron Maiden with some Dio thrown into the cauldron. Doesn't get much better than this! Keeping it slow and punishing 'Eat Me From The Inside' is also sinister and claustrophobic and works wonderfully well. 

Everything flows so well in 'Shock 'Em Dead' which gets an immediate grip and won't let up...again, listen to those riffs! 'El Toro' definitely lives up to its name by unleashing a total onslaught like a raging bull. Beware because Axe Dragger will pulverize you. 'The Danbed Will Cry' is gripping right from the start. Again the band goes for weight instead of speed something which is their trademark in lack of better words. Axe Dragger ups the pace on 'Fire In The Madhouse' with these razor sharp riffs leading the way. Controlled chaos which suits this neckbreaker perfectly. This excelent debut ends with 'Death Is Calling My Name'. It's eerie with a strong sense of impending doom hanging over it as the band takes it away.

This international quartet put the bar very high with this brilliant debut. It's such a relief when seasoned players continue to create music that is great and matters.  Personally it means music is truly well and alive and keeps pushing boundaries. 'Axe Dragger' is an album which be in every record collection out there, don't miss out!

Words by Håkan Nyman

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Axe Dragger is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music.

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram