Heavy Psychedelic Rock Trio Juke Cove Announce New Album “Tempest” and release new single: “Glow”

Juke Cove - Photo credit: Alicja Koślaga]

The Leipzig based heavy psychedelic rock trio Juke Cove announce the release of their 3rd album “Tempest” on May 3 on Interstellar Smoke Records. The album builds on the eclectic character of their previous LP “Remedy”. On “Tempest” Juke Cove skillfully blend elements of psych rock, doom, stoner rock, and punk.

“When we started writing songs for the new album, we decided not to aim at one genre, nor did we have any bands that we wanted to imitate. We wanted to let loose and see where our ideas and jamming would bring us. So, there’s a lot going on in each song, you have blues rock mixed with grunge, hypnotic doom with intense metallic hardcore or airy psychedelia with melodic punk. There are some calm moments but there are many powerful ones too. So, we felt the album has this huge chaotic, yet coherent energy, just like in a violent storm and that’s where the name comes from.” – says the band.

Listen to Juke Cove’s new track Glow here:

“Glow” is the second single from the album, after the song “Wait” which was released in February. It starts with fast paced stoner laced with thrash metal and plunges into melodic doom to smoothly transition into energetic jams in the end. Lyrically, the band addresses the feeling of impending doom: “We wrote the song after Russia invaded Ukraine, so a potential nuclear war is definitely a topic there, but so is climate change and other human-induced crises that might lead to our demise. If you listen to the song, you’ll know that we’re not entirely pessimistic though.”

Album Artwork. Captions: Artwork made by Doomed Creations

Tracklist:

1. The Path
2. Hypnosis
3. Wait
4. Confined
5. Tempest
6. Glow
7. Burst
8. Xanadu

Juke Cove are:

Mateusz Pietrzela – Guitar & Vocals
Dima Ogorodnov – Bass & Vocals
Maxim Balobin – Drums

Juke Cove Tour Dates

09.05. Berlin, Reset Club

10.05. Eisenach, Open Air

11.05. Leipzig, Noels Ballroom

Follow Juke Cove:

Bandcamp: https://jukecove.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jukecove
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jukecove
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7de5EZFBo4ckF2YLzRG591?si=- nCbeBXxS6qNq01g9yFB5Q

Art by Doomed Creations: https://linktr.ee/doomedcreations

Thanks to Juke Cove for all of the info.

EMPRESS - Premonition (Album Review)

Release date: July 24^th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: Cassette/CD/DD

Premonition – Tracklisting

1.A Pale Wanderer

2.Sepulchre

3.Passage

4.Trost

5.Hiraeth

6.Premonition

7.Lion's Blood

Members

Peter Sacco: Guitars/vox

Brenden Gunn: Bass

Chris Doyle: Drums

Review

Premonition is the debut full length album from Canadian Progressive Sludge/Stoner Metallers – EMPRESS – who released their debut EP Reminiscence back in 2018. The band sadly lost bassist Brenden Gunn last year and this album is a fitting tribute to Brenden’s legacy not only for the band but also Brenden’s family and friends.

The album is a more grown-up offering compared to their debut album as they deal with some deeply haunting and emotional themes on the album and it’s quite a dark, rich and varied journey that will surprise people in many ways. The band are perhaps more musically aligned to the earlier sounds of ELDER, Mastodon and Baroness though still standing tall on their own musical endeavours.

Opening song – A Pale Wanderer – offers eight minutes of Post-Doom grooves that branch out into different elements of Sludge Metal, Post-Metal, Psychedelic Rock and Stoner Metal with a YOB-esque influence running deep within the lyrical content. The vocals are some of the best I’ve heard this year with Peter showing a sense of maturity beyond his years with harsh growls, clean vocals and almost ethereal chants that show you EMPRESS are quite a force to be reckoned with. Even so early on with the opening song.

Second song – Sepulchre – was released as single earlier this year and I was lucky enough to premiere the song and showed me how different EMPRESS had become from their acclaimed debut EP. This song is more of a Hard-Edged Progressive Stoner Rock/Metal song with the band showing they know how to write a kick-ass song packed full of violent energy that oozes confidence. The song lasts under 5 minutes but EMPRESS show a real flair of playing a more standard Sludge/Stoner Metal song.

Third song – Passage – is another stylistic change with the band playing a more laid-back style of music with lush psychedelic grooves directing the action before the song changes into a more threatening style of “DOOM” based atmosphere. The progressive guitars are quite familiar in places and I’m reminded of TORCHE but when the harsh vocals kick-in, EMPRESS become EMPRESS again for some epic riffs being played for good measure.

There are 7 songs on offer here and I don’t want to spoil the hidden surprises and emotional depths that EMPRESS have created for the 2^nd half of the album and that’s is where perhaps the album truly shines and stands out from the Post-Metal/Sludge/Stoner Metal crowd. As EMPRESS focus more on lyrical content and allowing the whole flow of the album to build up at a natural pace. There are still fantastic heavy riffs spliced throughout the album but it’s the lyrics and vocals that make this album ultimately work.

The standout songs from the 2^nd half of the album have to be: Hiraeth, Premonition and Lion’s Blood – as this is where everything comes together and pays off big time for the band. Everything sounds fresh and original which is also helped by top-notch production the album holds from start to finish.

There were a few moments on this album that connected with myself emotionally and I was thinking about close friends and family members that I’ve lost over the last few years. So that was an unexpected thing for myself to go through whilst listening to this album.

Premonition is a deeply satisfying and superbly made album that allows it to be an Album Of The Year contender for myself personally and I wouldn’t be surprised if this happens elsewhere for other folks as well.

Do yourself a favour and check this epic and brilliant album out when you get the chance.

You won’t be sorry...

Words by Steve Howe

Premonition will be available to buy on Cassette/CD/DD from July 24th 2020

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp | Linktree

MEGATHERIUM - GOD (Album Review)

Release date: April 10^th 2020. Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

GOD – Tracklisting

1.(generate) 02:51

2.The One 06:32

3.The Holy 06:08

4.The Truth 08:19

5.(organize) 01:28

6.The Eye 10:46

7.(destroy) 02:26

8.The Strength 09:43

Members

Manuele ‘Manu’ † vocals, fx

Fabio ‘Zekimmortal’ † bass, vocals

Stefano ‘Torre’ † drums

Alberto ‘Tode’ † guitar

Review

Italian Doom/Stoner Metallers – Megatherium – return with their new album GOD and it’s a bold statement to call your album that but the band aren’t afraid to push new boundaries and create new sounds on this release compared to their debut album. This hasn’t got the highly addictive grooves of their debut album Superbeast. As the band have opted for a darker and bleaker style of music.

This album sees Megatherium play a darker blend of Progressive Doom/Sludge Metal with elements of Psychedelic Grooves adding a more unsettled tone with opening song – (generate) – being an Ambient/Drone based song with voices appearing in the background with the Doom based elements slowly bringing the song to a slow finish.

Second song – The One – is a song that reminds me of their debut album but the bleaker sounds appear early and the band just carry on with their more Post-Apocalyptic style of music with superb vocals by Manuele. The added Psychedelic Effects offers a more Post-Metal vision to the feel and flow of the album with the Progressive Guitars being the main driving force of the song. The production is quite raw and abstract but allows Megatherium to build upon their sound for maximum volume levels.

Third song – The Holy – is another Post-Apocalyptic based song with a heavy stylized version of Doom/Stoner Metal being played and it has quite a “Grunge” feel to it as well. The song takes time to get going and only starts to come alive when Manuele vocals appear then everything makes sense and the band create one of the strongest songs on the entire album.

Despite the dark poetic lyrics and ideas running throughout this album, Megatherium manage to play some epic sounding riffs on this album with a twinge of Classic Hard Rock that you wouldn’t really expect. So it’s good to see the band trying something different on this album whilst remaining true to their roots.

The band draw influences from bands such as ISIS (The Band), Neurosis and UFOMAMMUT on certain parts of the album.

Other standout songs to check out are: The Truth, The Eye and The Strength. As that’s where the bands reach their creative peak with these songs and offer a more daring and perhaps even heavier experience with the different levels of Progressive sounds within the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal spectrum.

I’m still torn deciding which album do I prefer the most – Superbeast or GOD. Both albums are vastly different to each other though it’s going to be quite exciting personally for myself deciding in the future. As I get to spend more time with this wonderfully dark, daring and exciting album.

Overall, GOD may not be an easy album to listen to but it’s got a SHIT-TON of Heavy Riffs to keep fans of the genre happy for a long time to come….

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mona at All Noir PR for the promo. GOD is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Argonauta Records now.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Black Tundra - Daylight Dark (Album Review)

Release date: December 16th 2019. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Daylight Dark – Tracklisting

1.Red Tide 07:28

2.Anybody else 07:22

3.Eyes Burned 06:58

4.The Passing 04:35

5.Made to end 06:13

6.In my Blood 09:33

Review

Daylight Dark is the new album from Sludge/Doom Metallers Black Tundra who return with a more focused and progressive sounding album compared to their excellent debut album. This album is heavier and more “Post-Metal” based with the band adding more “metallic” groove to their overall sound. If you’re a fan of CONAN, DO, Pelican and Mastodon then Daylight Dark will take you on a heavy musical odyssey that is quite adventurous as well.

Opening song – Red Tide – sees Black Tundra head towards a Post-Rock/Post-Metal style of delivery but with flashes of Psychedelic Doom and Sludge Metal for a more expansive sound. The harsh vocals are matched superbly well against the aggressive melodies driving the song forward to its natural conclusion. The song does have a few “Stoner” based grooves that allows the band to play some friendlier guitar solos which remain quite heavy at the same time. The vocals disappear on the second half of the song and Black Tundra allow the music to fully take over.

Second song – Anybody Else – opens with a heavy bass driving the music along before the Post-Rock sounding guitars merge into a more Progressive style of Doom/Sludge Metal. The song carries on the bleak aggressive sound from the opening song but a more twisted outlook especially where the lyrics are concerned. Black Tundra struggle at first to keep the momentum going but soon get back on the right track to play some epic riffs along the way.

Third song – Eyes Burned – has a more cosmic feel and it’s quite a cool sounding change of pace that allows the band to play a more settled style of music with heavy bouts of psychedelic aggression being one of the best parts of the album. The ambient sounds are another nice touch which allow this song to be one of the main standout songs on the album.

The second half of the album continues with Black Tundra’s style of Cinematic Doom/Sludge Metal with the bleak atmosphere being played at heavier level especially on the final two songs Made To End and In My Blood. In My Blood is a nine minute plus epic which sees Black Tundra experiment with their music even further and ending the album in superb fashion.

Overall, Daylight Dark is another winning album from this Polish collective. The production is excellent and the album is quite loud and intense from start to finish which can be quite unsettling in places.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

VESSEL SIGNS TO MAJESTIC MOUNTAIN RECORDS FOR WORLDWIDE VINYL RELEASE OF THEIR THIRD ALBUM AND HEAR NEW SONG - TWENTY TWENTY

VESSEL SIGNS TO MAJESTIC MOUNTAIN RECORDS FOR WORLD WIDE VINYL RELEASE OF THEIR THIRD ALBUM IN FEBRUARY 2020 

Majestic Mountain Records is very proud to welcome Australian based Vessel to the label and we're so excited to bring the new album 'Vagabond Blues' to all of you in February!   

'Vagabond blues' is a 7-songs genre-defying tour-de-force album covering metal, doom and of course fuzz!  As can be heard with the first single 'Twenty Twenty' the current enviroment situation is one of the HOT topics on the album and something that Majestic Mountain Records supports to 100%. Albums like 'Vagabond Blues' is what keeps the Majestic Mountain machine rolling and we can't wait to share the album with you! 

'Vagabond Blues' drops the 7th of February 2020 and the vinyl pre-order will open in the end of January! Stay tuned for more information about the content of the vinyl release! 

To get you in the mood for the album you can hear this Exclusive Premiere of the new song TWENTY TWENTY from the upcoming new album from the link below:

https://soundcloud.com/thevesselproject/vessel-twenty-twenty/s-mhqXf
Vessel Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Links: Majestic Mountain Records Shop 

https://majesticmountainrecords.bigcartel.com/ 

Majestic Mountain Records Social Media

https://www.facebook.com/majesticmountainrecords/  https://www.instagram.com/majesticmountainrecords/ 
https://twitter.com/majestic_vinyl 

Ghastly Sound - Have A Nice Day (Album Review)

Release date: September 13th 2019. Label: Magnetic Eye Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Have A Nice Day – Tracklisting

1.Bait and Switch

2.We're All Shadows

3.Deathlogic

4.War

5.No Security

6.Selina Kyle

7.The Holocene Has Ended

8.Electric Tumor

9.Have A Nice Day

Members

Tyler Gurwicz

Ryan Lewis

TJ Maynard

Review

Ghastly Sound debut full length album – Have A Nice Day – is a vivid, bold, brash and violent delight that sees this hard hitting power trio drawing influences from Torche, At The Drive-In, Red Fang and Kylesa. As the band play a mix of Sludge Rock, Doom Metal, Punk Rock, Stoner Metal with violent Psychedelic Rock tendencies.

The opening two songs Bait and Switch & We’re All Shadows have a fast-paced and complex rhythm merged with a harsh “Doom-Pop” sound that Floor and Torche are known for. Add aggressive riffs, vocals and lyrics where the Psychedelic Grooves hide a darker and progressive sound that Ghastly Sound fully explore on the later stages of the album.

Ghastly Sound explore the darker side of their music compared to their previous EP’s. This album takes you places that you wouldn’t expect with socially aware lyrics having a distinctive edge to them and all set against a backdrop of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal grooves that shouldn’t really work this well. However, Ghastly Sound make you believe in their overall creative vision of the entire album.

Songs such as Deathlogic, War, No Security, Electric Tumor and Have a Nice Day sees the band continue to offer a bleak and harsh vision with brash and pissed off soulful vocals to match.

The albums production is quite intense and allows Ghostly Sound to preach their hard-hitting message with expert precision. The best parts of the album is when the “poppier” moments appear and allow the listener to catch their breath and take every trippy psychedelic sound into their own being. Though the album doesn’t stay silent for long as Ghastly Sound thrive upon playing music that is LOUD, ANGRY and PRIMAL that leaves you wanting more.

Have A Nice Day is an epic sounding album that has BRAINS as well as BRAWN. This is an album that sees Ghastly Sound fully live up to their huge potential and deliver a record that’s packed full of different sounds that allows you to have a completely different kind of Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal experience.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Jadd at Red Lead PR for the promo. Have A Nice Day will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Magnetic Eye Records from September 13th 2019.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Cowboys & Aliens - Horses Of Rebellion (Album Review)

Release date: March 15th 2019. Label: POLDERRECORDS. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Horses Of Rebellion – Tracklisting

1.Soaking 04:05

2.Still in the Shade 03:36

3.Two Time a Man 04:44

4.Sheep Bloody Sheep 05:01

5.Take a Good Look Around 04:21

6.Horses of Rebellion 03:58

7.Morning Again 04:14

8.Hollow 03:41

9.Refuse 03:10

10.Walk a Mile in my Shoes 04:20

11.Splendid Isolation 02:19

Members

John Pollentier

Henk Vanhee

Peter Gaelens

Tom Neirynck

Review

Cowboys & Aliens return with their 5^th album – Horses Of Rebellion. This album sees the legendary Stoner Rock band add a more thunderous Alternative Rock groove to their classic Stoner based sound. The album is more aggressive compared to their previous albums and it’s good to hear the band trying something different instead of releasing the same album over and over again.

The album never stops with it’s fast-paced aggression from the opening song – Soaking – for the majority of the album. Cowboys & Aliens will please not only long-time fans of the and but also the casual observer or first time listener. As this album ticks all the right buttons with melodic psychedelic Desert/Stoner Rock sounds that bands such as Kyuss and Monster Magnet made famous back in the day. Though please remember this band has been going strong since 1996. Well they did have a brief 5 year hiatus from 2006 to 2011. The fact remains that it’s still great these guys are still around making great music such as Horses Of Rebellion.

Horses Of Rebellion has it’s fair share outstanding songs such as: Soaking, Two Time A Man, Sheep Bloody Sheep, Horses Of Rebellion, Morning Again, Hollow and Release. The only weak part of the album is the final song – Splendid Isolation. As the song doesn’t really go anywhere and leaves you wanting more. Maybe it was best to end the album with a different song.

Apart from that minor complaint, Horses Of Rebellion is a great album and sounds excellent from the start. The production is first-rate and this allows the album to flow at such a natural and addictive pace. If you’re in the mood for a heavier and different style of Stoner Rock then Horses Of Rebellion has you fully covered and proves once again why Cowboys & Aliens are one of the best Stoner Rock bands the European scene has to offer.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to POLDERRECORDS for the promo. Horses Of Rebellion is available to buy now via POLDERRECORDS.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

KADAVAR - Live In Copenhagen (Album Review)

Release date: October 12^th 2018. Label: Nuclear Blast Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Live In Copenhagen – Tracklisting

1. Skeleton Blues

2. Doomsday Machine

3. Pale Blue Eyes

4. Into The Wormhole

5. The Old Man

6. Die Baby Die

7. Black Sun

8. Living In Your Head

9. Into The Night

10. Forgotten Past

11. Tibulation Nation

12. Purple Sage

Review

A lot of live albums I’ve listened to recently have really disappointed me. As the overall sound of the album has been too flat or the live album doesn’t match up to the classic live albums that were released years ago. Kadavar have just released their 2^nd live album with Live In Copenhagen and it’s an album I wanted to change my overall conception of modern live albums.

Kadavar’s last live album “Live In Antwerp” was released in 2014 before the band released their “breakthrough” album, Berlin back in 2015. Berlin was an album that made people finally take notice of Kadavar and their excellent blend of Classic Rock, Blues Rock, Psych and Stoner Rock riffs.

Live In Antwerp was a very good and highly entertaining album that showed the full power of Kadavar’s classic rock sound. However it left me wanting more. As I’ve seen Kadavar live in action and the album failed to show the bands majestic live performance. So I was a little bit worried when the band announced a new live album with Live In Copenhagen.

I shouldn’t have worried. As this album is one of the best live albums I’ve heard in some time. The album is bang on point by presenting Kadavar as a true force of nature. This is Kadavar at their majestic best. They’ve picked the best songs to perform from their superb back catalogue.

Kadavar blast their way through songs such as: Skeleton Blues, Doomsday Machine, Pale Blue Eyes, Into The Wormhole, Die Baby Die, Black Sun and many more. The whole atmosphere is very raw but that works to the albums favour.

Live In Copenhagen is ALL KILLER AND NO FILLER. Kadavar are one of the hardest touring bands currently working in the Stoner Rock scene today. The band never seem to stop touring at the moment and Live In Copenhagen proves why their fans will see the band as many times they possibly can.

I will admit I was slightly underwhelmed by Kadavar’s last album – Rough Times. However, listening to some of the songs from the album played live, has allowed me to revisit that album and I rate it more highly. It took some time for me to finally come round and I’m contributing that change of heart to this live album.

Live In Copenhagen is light-years ahead of Live In Antwerp. As Kadavar have matured as musicians and have a more magnetic stage presence. If you’re a long-time fan of Kadavar then Live In Copenhagen is an essential record to add to your existing Kadavar record collection.

Live In Copenhagen ranks as one of the best live albums I’ve heard in a long time….

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mona at All Noir PR. Live In Copenhagen is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl now via Nuclear Blast Records.

Links:

Official | Facebook

New Video From Progressive Doom Rockers ANCESTORS

Release date: August 24th 2018. Label: Pelagic Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Suspended In Reflections – Tracklisting

1.Gone
2.Through a Window
3.Lying in the Grass
4.Into the Fall
5.Release
6.The Warm Glow

Members

Justin Maranga
Jason Watkins
Daniel Pouliot

The Lowdown

On August 24th 2018, Progressive Doom/Post-Rockers ANCESTORS will be releasing their epic new album SUSPENDED IN REFLECTIONS via Pelagic Records.

This is their first album in 6 years and sees the band adapt a more Progressive Doom and Psychedelic Post-Rock sound. This is still unmistakably ANCESTORS but with a more progressive groove.

You can read my review here:

To get you into the mood for the upcoming album, ANCESTORS have just released this new video for one of the standout tracks from the album - GONE

Thanks to Daniel from CZ Promotions. Suspended In Reflections will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Pelagic Records from August 24th 2018.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

An Introduction To Brass Owl and Exclusive Stream Of Their Debut Self Titled EP

On June 22nd 2018 BRASS OWL will release their self-titled EP. The band's blend of stoner, psychedelic and heavy metal is highly recommended for fans of  Corrosion of Conformity, ZZ Top, Cream and Pride And Glory.

About BRASS OWL:

Formed in the conservative world of southern Ohio, Brass Owl has never been a typical band. With a bonafide shred master on guitar, an award winning session drummer and a bassist with a distinctive retro style this power trio is poised to take over the scene. Their jam oriented sound isn’t just a testament to the bands past accomplishments, but also reflects how tightly they have gelled as a unit. Their music is reflective of a lifetime of playing music a deep understanding of rock and roll. With a new record coming out soon, one can’t help but to get excited for what these Ohio boys are going to be pulling out of their hats next.
 

The mastermind behind this project, Brian Tarter is thrilled to finally have a band where he has embraced being both lyricist and vocalist. This music gives him a platform to not only show off his Steve Vai approved licks (Tarter performed with Vai after winning a shred contest in the 90s) but also bring his songwriting to a new level. The band act as a tight unit combining all manner of musical ideas through a unique blend of jaw dropping hooks and thrilling, largely improvised solos. Avoiding both tired stoned rock and roll cliches and maintaining a concise approach to songwriting, Brass Owl aspire to be a new kind of jam band.

Brass Owl is a band who have not only paid their dues, they have nearly a centuries worth of experience between the three of them. They are ready now to go out once more and claim the hearts of a legion of fans. With a sound that appeals to everyone from modern rockers to stoners, classic rock maniacs to acid jazz heads, Brass Owl are unafraid to push the boundaries. This is not just another jam band, this is a group with a distinct artistic vision, a motivated team, and the passion, combined with the know how to go far beyond the dives they cut their teeth in.  

Links

Official | Facebook

You can listen to their superb debut EP below courtesy of the good folks over at Dewar PR.

Morag Tong - Last Knell Of Om (Album Review)

Release date: May 18th 2018. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Last Knell Of Om – Tracklisting

1.Transmission

2.New Growth

3.We Answer 08:12

4.To Soil

5.Ruminations

6.Ephemera / Stare Through The Deep

Members

Adam Asquith - Drums/Vocals

Alex Clarke - Guitar

Lewis Crane - Guitar

James Atha - Bass

Review

Morag Tong debut album - Last Knell Of Om - is one of those rare albums that show waves of huge psychedelic creativity throughout the entire record. Morag Tong are very hard to describe. As they blend a lot of different sounds in their music.

Take the opening track - Transmission - for example. This is an Ambient Post-Rock/Post-Metal song that feels influenced by Pelican and Russian Circles. However Morag Tong add psychedelic/spaced out moments that leave you wanting more. It's quite restrained compared to the other songs on the album. Though it gives the listener a good indication on how spaced out and trippy the album becomes.

Second track - New Growth - sees Morag Tong adding a heavier Sludge/Doom Metal groove whilst keeping the Psychedelic elements firmly part of the action. The vocals from Adam are superb. Blending angry Sludge/Doom based vocals with trippy based lyrics is a work of genius from the band. The vocals become softly spoken towards the end of the song with Morag Tong play a quieter style of music. Though the heavy loud progressive riffs soon make a welcome return as the song becomes more aggressive.

Third track - We Answer - opens with a subtle post-rock/sludge rock groove as Morag Tong take time in bring the heavy sounds to the listener. Though the album starts reflecting a more seventies prog-rock feel. The vocals from Adam are straight on point yet again. I admire how Morag Tong's music can be so quietly restrained one moment and pure sludge metal aggression the next. It's a hard sound to pull but Morag Tong excel on all levels here.

Fourth track - To Soil - feels like We Answer Part Two as this song continues the heavy distorted psychedelic sounds of the previous song. It's a beautifully played song that has the right balance of post-rock passages and the familiar psychedelic doom/sludge metal riffs. This is perhaps my favourite song on the album.

The final two songs Ruminations and Ephemera / Stare Through The Deep - perhaps contain the heaviest moments of the album with Morag Tong excelling once again in creating eerie familiar sounds but still maintaining an air of originality around the entire album. The production is first rate. Though I'm not surprised with Slabdragger's Sam Thredder behind the production desk.

Last Knell Of Om is a deeply ambitious album and one that sees Morag Tong play to their absolute strengths. The album is a dazzling and superb combination of so many different sounds that you'll be listening to this album over and over again just to make sense of it all.

Last Knell Of Om is another album that I will rank as one of the best albums of the year.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Lisa at Hold Tight PR for the promo. Last Knell Of Om will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from May 18^th 2018.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp