BEASTWARS - The Ship // The Sea (Album Review)

Release Date: November 07th 2025. Record Label: Destroy Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

The Ship // The Sea - Tracklisting

1. We Don't Say Fear

2. Guardian Of Fear

3. Levitate

4. The Storm

5. Rust

6. Blood Will Flow

7. The Howling

8. You Know They're Burning The Land

9. The Devil

10. Lights Lead The Way

Members

Matt Hyde - vocals

Christian Pearce - guitars

James Woods - bass guitar

Nathan Hickey – drums

Review

Beastwars from Wellington, New Zealand, have been around since 2007. During this time they have amassed 5 full-lengths, 1 live album, 5 singles and a split and now they are back with opus 6, 'The Ship// The Sea'. Already a force to be reckoned with from the very beginning Beastwars have transitioned so perfectly and seamlessly throughout the years which leads to their latest creation.

On this brilliant recording the music weaves back and forth between tempos, mainly mid to slowish all while steamrolling the listeners throughout all the songs. What this allows is for the songs to go in circles creating perfect individual stories as well as keeping them cohesive and simply one of a kind.

'We Don't Say Fear' is an unrelenting lead-heavy beast which represents the album wholly as does the intense and hypnotic crusher 'The Howling'. Other standout compositions are the captivating annihilator 'The Storm', the unforgiving 'You Know They're Burning The Land' and the mercilessly slow and heavy 'The Devil'. And let's not forget 'Levitate' which comes across as early-days Killing Joke playing stoned heavy-ass sludge...brilliant!

Beastwars never disappoint with 'The Ship// The Sea' being a perfect example of. They go from strength to strength with each new release making them a band that stands above the rest. Not budging in what they're doing and believe in while always going their own way is the way to go when creating ever-lasting brilliant music!

Words by Håkan Nyman

Thanks to Sheltered Life for the promo.

The Ship // The Sea is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl from www.beastwarsband.com

Links

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Hardcore Punk/Sludge Metallers PARK+RIOT Release New Video For THE END And Announce UK/German Tour Dates

PARK+RIOT presents the second video from the band's intense live recording session, which was recorded at HoboRec Studios earlier this year. Watch the video for the track ‘The End’ by the MATHCORE/SLUDGE band from Leipzig HERE and share it. Tour dates for the UK and Germany announced!

 

Comments the band: "The track weaves together post-metal textures, spoken word, and black metal influences, revealing a more introspective side of the band. Lyrically, it confronts the emotional cost of staying engaged in a world that rewards apathy."

Park+Riot Share Live Session for "The End". To celebrate the first anniversary of their debut album Wise Words From Well-Fed Mouths, Leipzig’s sludge/mathcore duo Park+Riot have unveiled a live session of their track “The End” — recorded in collaboration with producer Ulf Blomberg (HoboRec).

A departure from Park+Riot's high-energy and chaotic mathcore sound, “The End” dives into darker, more atmospheric territory.

Fittingly the session was captured at The End Studios in Sweden, with Blomberg bringing out the band’s dynamic depth and sonic tension — all created with just two instruments and voices.

UK Dates:

Tues 21 Oct – Oxford | The Wheatsheaf
Wed 22 Oct – Bristol | The Gryphon
Fri 24 Oct – Bournemouth | Anvil
Sat 25 Oct – London | The Dev

German Dates:

14.11.2025 Eberswalde | Exil
15.11.2025 TBA
16.11.2025 TBA
17.11.2025 Bamberg | Live Club
18.11.2025 Osnabrück | K.A.F.F.
19.11.2025 Köln | Sonic Ballroom
20.11.2025 Oberhausen | Druckluft
21.11.2025 Dannenberg | Raum2
22.11.2025 Kiel | Schaubude

In case you missed it: Watch the First VIdeo for the Track "Lungs Out" From the same Hobo-Rec Live Recording Session Earlier via INVISIBLE ORANGES RIGHT HERE.

"Interspersing bitter melodies and surprisingly intricate vocals with loud, crashing noise and screams, the album whips up a furious storm of discontent." Invisible Oranges

Debut Full-Length "Wise Words From Well-Fed Mouths" Released via THIS CHARMING MAN RECORDS. Make Sure to Check Out This Amazing Duo.

Links

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Thanks to CZ Promotions for the details.

Honeybadger - Let There Be Light (Album Review)

Release Date: October 19th 2025. Record Label: SODEH Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Let There Be Light - Tracklisting

1.Before the Crash

2.Panic Button 

3.Filth and Disorder 

4.The Green

5.Diamonds

6.The Joke is on me

7.Empty handed

8.Let there be Light

Musicians

Dimitris Vardoulakis - Vocals/Rhythm Guitar/Lead Guitar

Vagg Oikonomou - Drums/Percussion

Dimitris Giannakopoulos - Lead Guitar

Dimitris Giannopoulos - Bass Guitar

Fogg - Bass Guitar

Christos Spiliopoulos - Trombone

Nikos Tattoo Vlachos - Trumpet

Review

Greek Stoner Rockers HONEYBADGER return after a five year absence with their sophomore album Let There Be Light which is another dominant style of Desert Rock, Stoner Rock and Fuzz Rock passages with a sweeping sideline in classic Grunge surroundings. The record has a Classic Rock vibe coming through very early on with boisterous vocals from lead vocalist Dimitris Vardoulakis boosting the HEAVY VOLUMES of the whole album with his excellent vocal performance on his own.

With flashes of CLUTCH, FU MANCHU, KYUSS and QOTSA influences being heard left, right and centre. The added aggression of Grunge adds an extra layer of grooved out heaviness with the band playing with a determined passion throughout the whole album. Let There Be Light is not the most necessarily modern of Stoner Rock/Metal albums but it perfectly captures the golden era of the actual scene which allows HONEYBADGER to develop melodies straight from the top draw on tracks such as Before The Crash, Panic Button, Filth and Disorder, The Green, Empty Handed and Let There Be Light being the songs that will have folks excited the most.

The music is fast-paced and laced with edgy Psychedelic movements which allows the record to continuously offer catchy, aggressive and soulful grooves. There’s a distinctive GARAGE ROCK energy developing within the production values as this record is very stripped back and this allows HONEYBADGER to rely solely on their musical and creative talents to prove what a great Stoner Rock/Metal band they have actually become since their 2020 debut album.

Let There Be Light has a muscular presence that could allow HONEYBADGER to become a firm member of the Greek Stoner Rock/Metal community which already has some amazing bands within their ranks. If you miss the good old days of the Nineties to Mid-Noughties STONER scene then HONEYBADGER have crafted a perfect “TIME CAPSULE” / “TIME MACHINE” of sorts to take you back where you can lose your whole self under a TON of blazing RIFFS of the highest order.

Words by Steve Howe

Let There Be Light is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via SODEH Records.

Links

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Exclusive Album Premiere Of Fuzz/Desert/Stoner Rockers HIGH ON WHEELS New Album THE MONKEY

After more than a decade of relentless touring and a reputation for electrifying live shows, French desert rock power trio High On Wheels are back with their highly anticipated new album, The Monkey, set to be released on October 17 via Klonosphere.

Known for their pure, gritty, and direct approach to rock, High On Wheels craft music that thrives on stage, where their three voices, three instruments, and unfiltered energy come alive without the need for synthesizers or any artificial gimmicks. The band embodies the spirit of a three-headed beast, delivering unrelenting riffs and desert-drenched grooves that strike a chord with fans of Kyuss, Red Fang, Fu Manchu, and Truckfighters.

High On Wheels first made waves with their 2015 demo, before unleashing their debut full-length FuZZmovies in 2021, which garnered attention from specialized press and earned them slots alongside heavyweights such as Geezer, Glowsun, 7 Weeks, Hangman's Chair, Nashville Pussy, and more. In 2023, they further showcased their versatility with the stripped-down Acoustic Tones For The Crazy Psychonauts EP, proving their music thrives whether plugged in or unplugged.

Their upcoming release, The Monkey, was recorded and mixed by Jordan Jupin at Studio de la Fuie, mastered by Florent Sicard at Bad Bean Mastering, and features artwork by Mr Grrra. Promising a heavier, dust-ridden soundscape, the record captures the essence of their live shows, thunderous, high-octane, and undeniably real.

With a reputation forged on stages across Europe and an unwavering dedication to authentic, live-driven rock, High On Wheels are set to unleash their fiercest and most uncompromising work yet.

The Monkey will be available on October 17 via Klonosphere on digital platforms and as a special double vinyl edition.

However, you can listen to this exclusive album premiere thanks to the amazing folks over at Viral Propaganda PR.

HighOnWheels · The Monkey Who Dipped His Balls In My Whisky

Line-up:

Beaumont Grégoire – Drums/Vocals
Guerra Bruno – Guitar/Vocals
Tantot Gilles – Bass/Vocals

European Tour Dates

The band are also going on a short European Tour in November 2025. Dates are listed below:

November 5 – Paris, France – Le Klub

November 18- Auxerre, France – Le Galopin

November 20 – Unquera, Spain – Los Bancos de Trás

November 21 – Ortigueira, Spain – Sala Asatru

November 22 – Porto, Portugal – Woodstock 69 Rock Bar

November 26 – Lyon, France – La Pente

November 28 – Limoges, France – Le Dropkick

November 29 – Chalons-en-Chanpagne – Shop & Bières Sacobri

High On Wheels

https://www.highonwheels.live
https://highonwheels.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/highonwheelsband
https://www.instagram.com/highonwheelsband

Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for all of the details

Basaltic Plateau - Dead Dinosaurs Echoes (Album Review)

Release Date: October 17th 2025. Record Label: Electric Valley Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Dead Dinosaurs Echoes - Tracklisting

1.Mystic Flow

2.Sleep Paralysis 

3.Summer Dream

4.Peyote Rising

5.Cuttlefish Galaxy 

6.Dead Dinosaurs Echoes

Members

Maurizio Cau – Guitars and synth

Marco Serra – Bass and effects

Roberto Loscerbo – Drums

Review

Dead Dinosaurs Echoes is the debut album from Psych Stoner Rockers Basaltic Plateau who play between a selfless style of Post-Rock and Ambient Interludes that’s matched against an aggressive style of Post-Doom and Stoner Rock movements. The album can be quite understated which means Basaltic Plateau can focus on the more important things such as constructing progressive melodies and levels of sonic surroundings that draws upon the likes of Red Sparrows, Yawning Man and Pelican. There is also the added bonus of classic Desert Rock vibes and certain Space Rock experimentation hanging in the balance.

The album does rely heavily on heavy synth work which can be quite Noise Rock and Prog Rock focused but allows Basaltic Plateau to play their own blend of Psychedelic Rock. The spaced out effects is another standout on the album which is fully realised very early on within the tracks Mystic Flow and Sleep Paralysis. Dead Dinosaurs Echoes never feels rushed with the band taking their time bringing the heavy FUZZED OUT and slightly Stoner Metal sounding aggressive melodies where you  can also hear a sludgy distorted atmosphere starting to burst at the seams. 

Basaltic Plateau aren’t afraid to move into Progressive based Post-Metal waters that provide a thrilling and chaotic sound into the mix. The production values do feel quite lo-fi and solitary at times but with Basaltic Plateau playing areas of Cosmic Rock and Space Rock dimensions then this helps the album’s cause to great effect. 

As the album moves through tracks such as Summer Dream and Peyote Rising then Basaltic Plateau becomes more tranquil and peaceful with the world. The whole flow is subdued with Ambient themes, Eastern Vibes and extended instrumental dreamscapes with a JAM BASED quality that remind me of EARTHLESS and WEEDPECKER at times.

Basaltic Plateau do offer an Experimental quality and identity to their music with the record including moments of Noise Rock, Sludge and Droned based surroundings that once again allows the POST-METAL aspect to fully take control on the later stages of the album on the final tracks of Cuttlefish Galaxy and Dead Dinosaurs Echoes.

I admire when the album becomes quite frenzied with Basaltic Plateau racing to the finishing line as everything is quite chaotic once more that allows the band to play some of the heaviest, frenzied and catchiest grooves on the whole album. Dead Dinosaurs Echoes is one of those “RARE” type of albums that you don’t know how it’s going to finish with Basaltic Plateau keeping the listener on the edge of their seats with instrumental sounds that have an air of intelligence to them.

Basaltic Plateau have released a stunning, beautiful and mysterious musical odyssey with Dead Dinosaurs Echoes which becomes more memorable every time you listen to the album.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Qabar PR for the promo.

Dead Dinosaurs Echoes is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Electric Valley Records.

Links

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Bear, Man Dangerous - When We Cease To Understand The World (Single Review)

Release Date: October 13th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

When We Cease To Understand The World - Tracklisting

When We Cease To Understand The World

Review

When We Cease To Understand The World is the latest chapter from Metal Experimental Collective Bear, Man Dangerous who I’ve featured on the blog a number of times now. If you’re new to their musical world then I’ll break it down for you what kind of music they actually play. Well, that’s very hard to describe as they crossover into areas of Psych, Punk, Stoner, Hardcore, Noise, Sludge, Americana and other weird elements into one fully cohesive style of music.

This track is one that’s built on Shoegaze, Psych, Post-Doom and Sludge Rock with an intense Noise Rock atmosphere. The music is very stripped back giving Bear, Man Dangerous and air of authenticity to their music especially when they talk about the current political landscape going on within the whole world. The music can be quite abstract and one that offers no answers at all. The added use of HARSH sound effects that’s spliced within the Ambient / Noise Rock structure make sure this track won’t be for everyone and is perhaps suited mostly for the Experimental Rock crowd.

For me personally, this is another excellent track from Bear, Man Dangerous and may perhaps offer as the perfect introduction to casual listeners into the band’s impressive discography.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

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DAYTRIPPER - The Alchemist (EP Review)

Release Date: October 24th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD

The Alchemist - Tracklisting

1. The Alchemist (6:16)

2. A New Leaf (5:14)

3. Ruinous Opus (8:13)

4. Hubris (8:59)

Members

The Scribe Sage - Vocals, Guitar, Violin

The Pírate Sage - Guitar

The Rogue Sage - Bass

The Warrior Sage - Drums

The Seer Sage - Vocals, Synth, Guitar

Review

The Alchemist is the new EP from Doom/Stoner Metallers DAYTRIPPER who bring a wealth of heavy bleak sounding Sludge Metal into their warped world that’s topped off by a healthy destructive appetite of Drone Metal. The whole thing has a truly apocalyptic feel as the band forge blackened METAL alliances with freakish instrumental melodies appearing within the first half of the album on tracks The Alchemist and A New Leaf

These two songs don't stick to the rules of modern day Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal with DAYTRIPPER introducing blackened harsh vocals and gloriously uplifting clean vocals with a slight DEVILISH persona behind them. DAYTRIPPER offer moments of Proto-Metal, Jazz, Prog and Heavy Psych into their record which has a deceiving and violent edge running throughout its creative being. With the added use of left-field instruments that allows the JAZZ METAL element of DAYTRIPPER’s music to make a damn fine impression.

The second half of the album sees DAYTRIPPER move into heavier areas of the Doom/Stoner Metal spectrum on the tracks Ruinous Opus and Hubris. DAYTRIPPER start focusing upon the BLACKENED DOOM aspect of their musical journey with flashes of down-tuned and distorted sludgy guitars keeping the WEEDIAN flavour perfectly at bay. Though, that mission is sidetracked from time to time as you detect moments of aggressive Psych Stoner Metal appearing very suddenly and quite sharply. 

The vocals from The Scribe Sage are fuelled by the stuff of nightmares with violent growls and pitch black surroundings emitting from every fibre of his being. The musical melodies and instrumental passages fully sell the dominant Black Metal obsessive landscape with great conviction though it’s the overlapping areas of Doom, Stoner, Sludge and Fuzz that makes these tracks really stand out especially with Ruinous Opus. 

WIth an epic musical performance from DAYTRIPPER, this is most definitely the most standout part of the record though I do admire The Seer Sage’s bewitching vocal presence even more within the first half of The Alchemist. 

DAYTRIPPER have the whole underground Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal underground fan base covered with this great release. As they play so many different genres that offer a fresh and unique perspective whilst retaining an ugly and downright mean sound that is too powerful to fully ignore. This is first rate entertainment and one that offers enough THRILLS, SPILLS and SCARES for the HALLOWEEN season.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.

The Alchemist is Brahman is available to buy now on CD/DD..

Links

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