US Heavy Rock Powerhouse ABRAMS to issue new album "Loon" on Blues Funeral Recordings this spring; first single "Glass House" streaming!

Denver-based heavy rock and post-hardcore goldsmiths ABRAMS blast the blistering debut single and visualizer taken from their upcoming new full-length "Loon", to be issued on April 17th through Blues Funeral Recordings.

With American idealism and societal unity in flames, ABRAMS’ ethereal ambiance has been permeated by vibrating, hair-trigger fury. 2024’s soaring and driving Blue City was a record full of arresting, nostalgic textures. This is no longer the world of that album.

The grinding hopelessness and chaos of these times have infused ABRAMS with the shattering intensity of Converge. Urgent and abrasive, Loon is acerbic, fed up, and riddled with pulverizing fury. Wistful melodies warp into dissonance and aggression. Crystalline beauty is inhabited by bitterness and rage. The band’s instinctive hooks aren't gone, and hopeful moments do shine intermittently through. But it’s clear that ABRAMS, like a lot of us, are pissed off. Desperate and seething, Loon is an irresistible, frenzied purge from a band refusing to give in.

️ Watch new Abrams video Glass House below ️+ listen to the single on all streaming services

On the album, guitarist and vocalist Zach Amster comments: "With each album, our goal is to evolve and not write the same record over and over again. There is no doubt in my mind our album "Loon" is the most unique Abrams record to date. It features some of the most aggressive and heavy Abrams tunes while also sharing some of our most poppy and melodic moments. Vocally, this is the most confident I have felt performance-wise, which sets the mood for the rather dark lyrical content, fitting for the daily bullshit and volatility we are forced to endure. The lead single and opening track, Glass House is a good precursor of what to expect with "Loon". We hope you enjoy!"


New album "Loon" - Out April 17th on Blues Funeral Recordings
Preorder via BFR website / Bandcamp / SPKR Shop

TRACKLIST:

1. Glass House
2. White Walls
3. Last Nail
4. Said & Done
5. Waves
6. How Did I Lose My Mind?
7. A State of Mind
8. Home
9. Remains
10. Sirens

ABRAMS blast forth a cathartic mix of driving rhythms, soaring vocals and dreamy ambiance. Fusing melody and dissonance, guitarist/vocalist Zach Amster, bassist/vocalist Taylor Iversen, drummer Ryan DeWitt and guitarist Graham Zander wield elements of heavy rock, shoegaze, grunge and hardcore with ease and fluency, crafting a blend that's bittersweet and familiar while urgently gazing forward.

Hailed as “one of the most musically diverse and emotionally impactful bands in the scene" by Distorted Sound Magazine, the Denver band's captivating approach finds them sharing terrain with the likes of Torche, Cave In and Converge, while their command of chunky, hooky riffs recalls alt-rock icons Hum and Quicksand, though this swirling amalgam of influences isn't the totality of ABRAMS. Having shared the stage with Dozer, Unsane, KEN mode, King Buffalo, Khemmis and Emma Ruth Rundle, the foursome has always strived to deliver memorable live shows.

A spearhead of the Denver rock scene, ABRAMS joined the ranks of tastemaker label Blues Funeral Recordings in 2024 for the release of their cornerstone album Blue City. Recorded and produced by Kurt Ballou (Converge, High On Fire), it saw their genre-defying heaviness and perfect melodic songcraft meld seamlessly into what Metal Hammer Magazine described as "an upswell of positivity in the face of frustration that’s sure to shake you from your existential slumber".

Their new album Loon will arrive on April 17th, 2026 on Blues Funeral Recordings, just in time for their first European tour the following month, including a performance at DesertFest London.

ABRAMS is:

Zachary Amster – guitar, vocals
Taylor Iversen – bass, vocals
Ryan DeWitt - drums
Graham Zander - guitar

ABRAMS links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

BLUES FUNERAL RECORDINGS links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the details.

Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows - Inexorable Opposites (Album Review)

Release Date: February 06th 2026. Record Label: Magnetic Eye Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Inexorable Opposites - Tracklisting

1.Moss

2.Venomous 

3.Mt. Macedon

4.Dave Is Done 

5.Junior Fiction

6.Seer

7.On The Overwhelm

8.To Die

Members

Tim Coutts-Smith – vocals, guitar

Jordan Richardson – guitar

Brayden Becher – drums

Liam Barry – bass

Review

Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows with their fourth album Inexorable Excuses which sees the hugely talented foursome wander into the mist of Appalachian grooves or dare I call this “Mountain Rock”. As the main theme feels inspired by a slightly deep “Country” feel that this band gives a rather Sludge-tastic makeover with the multitude of different sounds that are contained within the record.

Lead vocalist Tim Coutts-Smith takes on a more “storyteller” role within this album and perhaps inspired vocally by the legendary Dave Wyndorf as there’s an epic resemblance on how TIm delivers his world-weary vocals and loud screams. The whole atmosphere is dominated by an aggressive Space Rock, Psych Rock and Cosmic Rock drive which comes across spectacularly well on the opening track Moss. The instrumental passages draw Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows closer to the likes of Monster Magnet, VOLUME and NEBULA than ever before.

There is a heavier and aggressive Sludge Rock aspect currently brewing in the background and fully takes over when the band let fly with some of the catchiest, freshest and heaviest melodies on the record. Though, the band never rely on any cheap progressive gimmicks as they just explore the Doomed Out and Cosmic surroundings of the entire WEEDIAN scene with distorted FUZZY passages dictating the action especially on tracks such as Venomous, Mt. Macedon and Dave Is Done. 

With a cool reliance on Science Fiction at times, Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows sounds like they’ve never been this angry especially when compared to their previous albums. This feels like a band “reborn” and delivering their most mature and grown up sounds to date that actually dares to be different at times. The later stages of the album moved into different areas of Heavy Rock perhaps dominated by the likes of All Them Witches and King Buffalo.

I fell in love with this album from the very first listen with the band using dramatic soundscapes and certain ambient melodies that still retain that “MOUNTAIN ROCK” feel. Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows aren’t afraid to slow things right down and let a more soulful Blues Rock style of Cosmic Doom to lead the listener on a trippy hallucinogenic journey but with that thrilling rhythm section of Brayden Brecher (Drums) and Liam Barry (Bass) exploring different musical dimensions of the whole Cosmic Doom/Stoner Metal movement.

Tim Coutts-Smith and Jordan Richardson level the Space Rock playing field with their epic guitar playing which does remind me of classic era Monster Magnet but still having their own original and highly vintage sound. Other standout tracks include Junior Fiction, Seer and To Die which includes some real “world-building” within the lyrics and the main creative theme of Inexorable Opposites. 

When you listen to this album multiple times you begin to notice the smaller things in the background that make this record work so well. The shift to Post-Rock, Grunge, Blues and Post-Doom landscapes is quite therapeutic and superbly hypnotic to listen to. Though, the main standout of the whole album is the lyrics. Damn. The lyrics are absolutely wonderful with Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows perhaps releasing their best story driven record to date. Everything has meaning here even when they go for an outlandish premise. This is cinematic storytelling of the highest order that left me on the edge of my seat. I maybe going slightly over the top with that observation but I’m sticking by that statement. 

However, that doesn’t stop the potential for Inexorable Opposites for being one of the standout Doom/Stoner Metal releases of the year already. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to All Noir PR and Magnetic Eye Records for the promo.

Inexorable Opposites is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Magnetic Eye Records.

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Void Sinker - Depth (Album Review)

Release Date: January 16th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Depth - Tracklisting

1.Depth 

2.Dragged

3.Drowned

4.Dredged

Members

Guglielmo Allegro - Everything

Review

One man Drone/Doom wrecking crew Void Sinker returns with their sixth full length album Depth which continues with creative mastermind Guglielmo Allegro’s deep fascination with the ocean and aquatic world that’s dominated his musical landscape of the last couple of years. The sound once again is haunting with brooding Drone textures developing with the darker depths of the ambient surroundings that Void Sinker purposely takes a slow time to deliver. However, this is the style of music that Void Sinker has used for the majority of their releases. Guglielmo does change musical direction with a lo-fi brooding style of Doom Metal that has elements of SUNN 0))), CONAN and ELECTRIC WIZARD.

Depth lasts for around eighty minutes in length spread across four tracks which gives Guglielmo plenty of opportunity to challenge your patience for long drawn out DRONE METAL passages. With a neverending style of down-tuned and amplified DRONE heaviness, there’s an undercurrent of bleak progressive elements forming very early on within the epic opening title track. The later stages of the track become heavier, aggressive and even stripped back with Void Sinker allowing the listener to explore the dark undercurrent of Sludge/Stoner Metal melodies forming quietly into the distance.

Void Sinker does play with a cold and highly calculated precision where the music could even be classed as methodical which becomes more part of the action on tracks such as Dragged, Drowned and Dredged. Guglielmo perfectly captures the bleak experience of reaching the bottom of the ocean and not knowing if you’re going to make it out alive. That sense of fear transfers over to real musical mention with Void Sinker developing heavier, progressive and emotionally charged sounds that delves further into the DRONE METAL abyss. 

There are moments with Void Sinker playing with a more riff-centric sound with eerie shadows of Ambient Metal, Post-Rock, Stoner Metal and Blackened Sludge starting to fully emerge. The standout tracks on Depth are most definitely Depth and Dredged. As this is where Guglielmo creates the most interesting ideas and themes on the album though the other tracks perhaps the heaviest and distorted grooves on Depth. As with previous Void Sinker releases, this can be a tough and challenging listen but this album is perhaps more about endurance with the record running for around eighty minutes in length.

Void Sinker once again has delivered a brutally tough and emotionally destructive record that brings some of the most thrilling Droned Out Metal sounds around from within the underground scene.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Sludge/Stoner Metallers HOT RAM Release New Song BLACK WEED From Upcoming New EP NEAR FALL

HOT RAM is an Atlanta based Stoner Metal band formed in 2016. It was during this time that Billy Konkel, HOT RAM founder, while working as a sound man in local Atlanta’s clubs, realized that he needed to be on the other side of the microphones and that he had a lot of music to write. Konkel enlisted Gordon White (Tetsu Nakasaka a local bassist/guitar player to play drums. Gordon brought along Dee Flores on bass and together they recorded 2017’s E.P. “Leave A Beautiful Corpse”, 2018’s “Where Light Goes to Die”, and 2021’s “Electric Medicine”.

In 2020, Covid did a number on the band as Gordon White moved to Japan, and Flores left the band to take care of his ailing father, just as “Electric Medicine” finished production and was released in 2021. Konkel played on with different drummers and bass players until settling with the current line up of Dwayne Jones on drums (Sourvein/Order of the Owl/Royal Thunder) and Jerimy McNeil on bass (Dayglo Mourning/Decibel Guitar Company).

HOT RAM has played shows with The Maryland Doom Fest 22 & 23, Snowblind Fest, Crowbar, Slomosa, Conan, Black Tusk, Howling Giant, and Heavy Temple while simultaneously working on a new album. Konkel was dealing with some personal issues during this time, with the loss of his grandmother in 2021 followed soon afterwards by his mother’s diagnosis of cancer and eventual passing, making 2021 through 2024 difficult but fruitful years.

Billy Konkel and HOT RAM powered through all life’s obstacles and delivered 2026’s new E.P. “Near Fall”, (self-released on their home imprint Second Down Records) The album’s title was inspired by watching copious amounts of pro wrestling with his wrestling obsessed wife. “Near Fall” epitomizes and accurately describes the last few years that Konkel and HOT RAM were pinned to the mat for a 2 count (a “Near Fall”) and always getting back up to live another day….

“Near Fall” began recording in 2022, tracking drums at Leadbelly Studios and the rest of the album was recorded and mixed by Konkel at “Dark Overlord Studio” an over 100 year old warehouse/punk house. 

The opener “Vimana Swamp” is an about an ancient spaceship that crashed into a southern
swamp and hidden in obscurity waiting for a return trip home. 

“Black Weed” Is about the smoking of the green: getting high and then Netflix and chilling with Lucifer himself from these self proclaimed “ High Priests of Dank Majik”. 

Lastly “Ironbound” lays up huge slabs of riffage —enough to tranquilize an elephant, lyrically forged with the hammer and brimstone of the Crusades.

HOT RAM’s “Near Fall” E.P. is for anyone that’s been on the ropes with little hope, but digs deep and finds the passion for dusting yourself off and not giving up!

February 2026 is the 10th anniversary of HOT RAM, and they look for it to be their brightest and loudest year yet. They start off the New Year opening for “High on Fire” in January, following it up with a couple of still un-announced festival dates this spring and summer to build some tour runs around what is expected to be a busy year.

FFO: Melvins, High on Fire, Clutch, Black Sabbath, Acid King

Near Fall Credits:

Billy Konkel Guitar/Vocals
Brian Ricks Drums
Jerimy McNeil Bass (Black Weed/Ironbound)
Dan Giampietro Bass (Vimana Swamp)
Drums recorded @ Leadbelly Studio-Matt Washburn
Guitars/Bass/Vocals/Mixed @ Dark Overlord Studio-Billy Konkel
Mastered @ Sound Artillery Studio-Jonathan Nunez (Torche)

HOT RAM 2026:

Billy Konkel - Guitar/Vocals
Jerimy McNeil - Bass
Dwayne Jones - Drums

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thanks to Desert Bloom PR for all of the details.

Near Fall is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from January 30th 2026.

Exclusive Song/Video Premiere Of MONSTERNAUT New Single APPROACHING DOOM From Upcoming New Album

Approaching Doom is the third album by Monsternaut, a darker and heavier representation of the band’s established devotion to groovy riffs and to the point compositions. The songs took shape over several years, during which the arrival of a new drummer opened the door to more adventurous rhythms and riff ideas, pushing the band into new territory while staying true to their roots.

Sonically, the album leans toward the grit and weight of early 90s metal rather than polished modern production, giving it a raw and immediate edge. Its lyrics and atmosphere follow a naturally darker direction as well, adding an extra layer of tension beneath the grooves.

Recorded entirely the old fashioned way, straight to analog tape with no digital editing, it captures the band playing as they are, relying on performance, chemistry, and feel rather than correction. The result is a record that hits harder, feels more focused, and marks a confident new chapter in Monsternaut’s evolution.

To get you into the mood we're excited to premiere the song/video for their excellent new single APPROACHING DOOM thanks to the great folks at Purple Sage PR and Heavy Psych Sounds.

Biography

Monsternaut is a stoner metal trio from Finland, formed in 2012 by guitarist Tuomas Heiskanen and bassist Perttu Härkönen. Fueled by the grit of Fu Manchu, Corrosion of Conformity, and Down, the band deals in heavy grooves, hard hitting riffs, and hooks built for pure head banging. On stage, Monsternaut keeps it loud, tight, and straight to the point, delivering a high energy set with no filler.

After two early demos, the band released their self-titled debut in 2016 through Heavy Psych Sounds, followed by Enter the Storm in 2018. They hit the road across Europe and later crossed the Atlantic for shows in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, backing up their reputation as a live band worth witnessing.

Drummer Patrik Kuitunen joined after the second album, bringing new rhythmic fire and pushing the music toward bolder riff ideas. That momentum led to Approaching Doom, their heaviest album to date, recorded entirely on analog tape with no digital editing and capturing Monsternaut as they are: loud, raw, and locked in. Notable Finnish producer and sound engineer Anssi Kippo, known for his extensive work with Children of Bodom, also added valuable expertise to the sessions and strengthened the process. Set for release in 2026 through Heavy Psych Sounds, Approaching Doom shows the band tighter, darker, and more focused than ever.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Approaching Doom will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from March 27th 2026.

Gavran - Dutch Post-Doom Collective Return With New Album "The One Who Propels" & New Video For "Zora" Out Now!

In the aftermath of deeply uncertain times marked by serious illness, Dutch post-doom collective Gavran return with The One Who Propels, a powerful new chapter that follows their critically acclaimed dunk!records release Indistinct Beacon.

Re-emerging as a renewed four-piece, the band have once again collaborated with Marius Prins (Throwing Bricks) and Tim de Gieter (Amenra, Doodseskader), resulting in their most expansive and emotionally charged work to date.

Drawing fluidly from doom, sludge, shoegaze, and post-rock, The One Who Propels unfolds as a massive yet intimate wall of sound, heavy and deeply reflective and is set to be released on January 30 once again via dunk!records.

Alongside the album announcement, Gavran have unveiled a new video for the striking track “Zora”, offering a first, immersive glimpse into the emotional and sonic essence of The One Who Propels.

Watch the video for "Zora" below:

Gavran was conceived in the fall of 2017 during a period of personal struggle, when guitarist Freek van Rooyen and drummer/vocalist Jamie Kobić were searching for something to hold on to. With the addition of bassist Ritsaart Vetter in October 2018, the band’s first solid lineup took shape.

Their debut album Still Unavailing (2020) was met with strong acclaim. Inspired by the spiritual intensity of Neurosis, YOB, and Amenra, and mixed and produced by Tim de Gieter, the record delivered a sound that was massive, heavy, and emotionally charged. Released during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Still Unavailing became an unintentional soundtrack for isolation and introspection, earning a nomination for Album of the Year in their hometown of Rotterdam.

Gavran followed with Indistinct Beacon, again working with de Gieter and adding a final mastering touch from Jack Shirley (Deafheaven, Oathbreaker). The album revealed a more melodic and spacious side of the band, while retaining their crushing core.

After a prolonged period of uncertainty caused by the guitarist’s serious illness, Gavran now return with The One Who Propels, a record that is both emotionally vulnerable and sonically intense. Reuniting with Marius Prins and Tim de Gieter, the band deliver a record that is both emotionally vulnerable and sonically intense.

The release also marks a major lineup evolution. Drummer/vocalist Jamie Kobić transitioned to guitar and vocals, joined by Tinus Kardolus on bass and Roy Zwinkels on drums. The addition of a second guitar has expanded the band’s sonic depth, resulting in their biggest, most layered sound yet.

“Gavran is our vessel to look life and death straight in the eye. It allows us to observe our shared consciousness and embrace despair, doubt, desire, grief, pain, and anger with absolute attention and without distraction. Join us in this visceral journey toward the timeless space of inner silence.” Says Jamie Kobić.

While Gavran’s earlier work leaned toward hope as a guiding force, The One Who Propels shifts its focus toward necessity, the inner energy required to initiate real change, beginning not outwardly, but from within.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/gavran_band
https://www.facebook.com/gavranband
https://gavran.bandcamp.com

Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the details.

New Mexican Doom Cult - Ziggurat (Album Review)

Release Date: January 23rd 2026. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records. Formats: DD

Ziggurat - Tracklisting

1.The Church of Starry Wisdom

2.Metatron

3.Cloudrider 

4.Return to Babylon

5.Criosphinx

6.Sungod

7.I Stand Alone

Members

Nils - Guitars/Vocals

Fredrik - Bass

David - Guitars

Magnus - Drums

Review

Ziggarut is the sophomore album from Doom/Stoner Metallers New Mexican Doom Cult who impressed me greatly with their 2023 debut album Necropolis. I’m not sure if I have the correct line-up in the review as the PR blurb I received states different members to the ones listed on BandCamp so apologies to the band if that is the case. Anyway, this record oozes Proto-Metal appeal with the band touching upon areas of Doom, Psych, Stoner, Fuzz and Occult Rock overtones.

Aligning themselves closely to the likes of Electric Wizard, Saint Vitus and The Obsessed for this record. The whole tone and sound is quite filthy that has HUGE levels of destructive FUZZ and AMPLIFIER HEAVINESS along the seedy journey which allows New Mexican Death Cult to play with a meaty cosmic style of sludgy surroundings. 

The vocals are delivered with expert precision by Nils who channels his inner WINO and JUS OSBORNE for a record that’s never afraid to get down and dirty with the fuzzy instrumental movements that can be quite PROTO-DOOM obsessed. This sees them play with a passionate Psychedelic energy throughout the excellent opening tracks of The Church Of Starry Wisdom, Metatron and Cloudrider.

New Mexican Doom Cult are quite adept at switching musical gears for a breathtaking style of melody which can be quite fast-paced at times but also adding layers of distorted Doomed Out heaviness. There is the added use of freak-ish musical solos with the guitars reminding me of Acid Mammoth and Green Lung in places. The lyrics are quite subversive which taps right into the Occult Rock philosophy but the mood is always grounded in reality. 

You have to give credit where it’s due with New Mexican Doom Cult adding areas of Grunge and Ritualistic elements which just elevates this album onto an entirety different Cosmic Plane of existence altogether on tracks such as Cloudrider, Return To Babylon, Sungod and I Stand Alone being my favourite tracks on the album. As the sound becomes way progressive with even areas of Darkened Post-Whatever holding those heavy melodies and extended instrumental solos together. 

There’s an eerie sense of DOOM & GLOOM becoming more dominant as the record progresses to its natural conclusion. This is a powerful record that sees New Mexican Doom Cult bringing a murky and creepy sense of evil OCCULT terror into the famed Swedish Doom/Stoner Metal underground scene. The production values have an intense “vintage” flow built into the whole record which allows the band to offer an album that has a “timeless” feeling but still sounding refreshingly modern at the same time.

Ziggurat is jam-packed full of great grooves and riffs that will leave you on the edge of your seat time and time again. New Mexican Doom Cult may well become your “favourite new band” to discover right now. As this is a first rate album you cannot possibly ignore. Jaw-dropping stuff. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the details.

Ziggurat is available to buy now digitally from all good digital stockists thanks to Majestic Mountain Records.

Links 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newmexicandoomcult
Bancamp: https://newmexicandoomcult.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newmexicandoomcult