Acid Mammoth - Supersonic Megafauna Collision (Album Review)

Release Date: April 05th 2024. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Supersonic Megafauna Collision- Tracklisting

1. Supersonic Megafauna Collision

2. Fuzzorgasm (Keep On Screaming)

3. Garden Of Bones

4. Atomic Shaman

5. One With The Void

6. Tusko's Last Trip

Members

 

Chris Babalis Jr  - Vocals/Guitar

Chris Babalis Sr - Guitar

Dimosthenis Varikos - Bass

Marios Louvaris - Drums

Review

Supersonic Megafauna Collision sees the return of one of the European scenes essential Stoner Metal bands with Acid Mammoth delivering a stirring blend of down-tuned and seedy FUZZ grooves that takes all the essential sounds the band are known for and gives it a more drugged out and psychedelic attitude. The movement can be quite sludgy and downtuned at times but this is still classic sounding Acid Mammoth through and through the album.

The opening tracks of Supersonic Megafauna Collision has that stripped back sound Acid Mammoth have become widely known for with that seedy Progressive flow appearing very early on. The song is quite slow paced at times but with Acid Mammoth allowing their music to breathe with that wicked Cosmic Doom drive heard within their last couple of albums. The vocals from Chris are once again rooted in 70’s Classic Doom with a twinge of classic 90’s Stoner Metal attitude. 

Supersonic Megafauna Collision starts off rather brightly and hopeful for a Doom/Stoner Metal record but slowly becomes darker, sinister and even quite heartbreaking when the last track of Tusko’s Last Trip appears. As that song tells “the heart-wrenching real story of Tusko, an elephant who was murdered as a result of cruel human experimentation."

Before we reach that vital part of the story, Acid Mammoth stroll through their treasure chest of FUZZED UP grooves and Doomed Out sounds for a record that always strives for excitement and excellence which Acid Mammoth paying homage to bands such as Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, Cathedral, SLEEP, Electric Wizard, KYUSS and Truckfighters. However, one thing remains the same is how Acid Mammoth deliver their own original style of WEEDIAN sounds on tracks such as Fuzzorgasm (Keep On Screaming), Garden Of Bones and Atomic Shaman. As Acid Mammoth slowly transforms into SHAMANIC DOOM OVERLORDS with the help of some first rate storytelling within their lyrics and classic sounding vocals from Chris.

Supersonic Megafauna Collision becomes more daring and emotionally driven within the final two tracks of One With The Void and Tusko’s Last Trip and that’s one thing that showcases how Acid Mammoth have matured as songwriters and storytellers with two superb songs that pull on the heartstrings. There’s still an abundance of heavy Doom/Stoner Metal instrumental passages which remain seedy and essential as ever.

Acid Mammoth are continuing their epic journey with Heavy Psych Sounds who have been with the band ever since their acclaimed 2020 release Under Acid Hoof and it’s great to see that relationship continuing with this brilliantly produced release. 

Acid Mammoth are perhaps my favourite band from the Greek Doom/Stoner Metal scene and Supersonic Megafauna Collision is another must have album and definite Album Of The Year Contender from the band. This is a record that’s full of vivid sounds and exciting instrumental passages that should see the band vastly becoming one of the most important Doom/Stoner Metal bands within the underground scene we have right now.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Supersonic Megafauna Collision is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from Friday April 05th 2024.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Greek doom metal heroes ACID MAMMOTH announce new album "Supersonic Megafauna Collision" on Heavy Psych Sounds; debut single available!

Athens doom metal pillars ACID MAMMOTH return this spring with their anticipated fourth album "Supersonic Megafauna Collision", to be released on April 5th through Heavy Psych Sounds. Blast the title track now below

Get ready to be overtaken by a storm of pachyderm-hefty riffs, wooly bass, fierce drumming, and witchy vocals. ACID MAMMOTH's highly anticipated fourth album is an unholy celebration of all things heavy, and as the album progresses, it just keeps getting doomier. “Supersonic Megafauna Collision” is an evil and explosive album drenched in 666% fuzz!

About this new album, vocalist and guitarist Chris Babalis Jr. says: "While the previous album was composed and recorded during a state of total COVID lockdown in 2020, our new album was composed and recorded after the world had gotten back to a new state of normalcy, after we had toured and played shows all over Europe, and all that enthusiasm and excitement we gathered while touring was put into this new album. 

We wanted to record a heavy and explosive album with lots of fuzz, that retains what made our sound great in our previous releases but take it a few steps further, and that’s exactly what we did. The album starts as a celebration of all things fuzzy with the title track “Supersonic Megafauna Collision”, and it just gets darker and darker as the album progresses, until it concludes in complete and utter heartbreak with the song “Tusko’s Last Trip”, telling the heart-wrenching real story of Tusko, an elephant who was murdered as a result of cruel human experimentation."

"Supersonic Megafauna Collision" was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Descent Studio, with drums recorded at Ritual Studios. The artwork was created by Branca Studio.

ACID MAMMOTH "Supersonic Megafauna Collision" -  Out on April 5th on Heavy Psych Sounds

TRACKLIST:

1. Supersonic Megafauna Collision
2. Fuzzorgasm (Keep On Screaming)
3. Garden Of Bones
4. Atomic Shaman
5. One With The Void
6. Tusko's Last Trip

ACID MAMMOTH is a doom metal band from Athens, Greece. The band was formed in 2015 by Chris Babalis Jr. (vocals & guitars) and Dimosthenis Varikos (Bass), good friends since high school, with a deep love for Sabbath and other heavy music. They were quickly joined by their long-time friend Marios Louvaris (Drums) and Chris Babalis Sr. (Guitars), Jr.'s father. Acid Mammoth is more than just a band of friends: they are a family.

In September 2019, ACID MAMMOTH inked a worldwide deal with Heavy Psych Sounds Records, on which they released three studio full-lengths and a "Doom Sessions" split EP with Italian labelmates 1782. Described as "loud-as-fuck psychedelic doom that sounds as if it were conjured from an acid trip" by Decibel Magazine, their 2021 album "Caravan" garnered high praise from across the media sphere, from UK's Classic Rock Magazine stating "Acid Mammoth are operating on a higher plane than most" to Metalsucks affirming that "their zero gravity doom blasts them past the stratosphere". On the heels of this success, they trampled upon every city on the European continent between 2022 and 2023 with two extensive tours, also appearing at various festivals such as Desertfest London, Desertfest Antwerp, Heavy Psych Sounds Fest and Sonic Blast.

ACID MAMMOTH is

Chris Babalis Jr. - Vocals & Guitar
Chris Babalis Sr. - Guitar
Dimosthenis Varikos - Bass
Marios Louvaris - Drums

ACID MAMMOTH links

Website ⎜ Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Spotify

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website ⎜ Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Youtube

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the info.

Acid Mammoth - Caravan (Album Review)

Release date: March 05th 2021. Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Caravan – Tracklisting

Berserker (5:01)

Psychedelic Wasteland (8:53)
Ivory Towers (6:18)
Caravan (11:07)
Black Dust (8:57)

Members

Chris Babalis Jr. – Vocals, Guitars
Chris Babalis Sr. – Guitars
Dimosthenis Varikos – Bass
Marios Louvaris – Drums

Review

Acid Mammoth are quickly becoming my favourite band from the Greek Doom/Stoner Metal scene with their style of heavy and spaced out grooves which becomes better with each album they release. It’s hard to believe that Caravan is their 3rd full length album. I remember being impressed by their self titled debut album back in 2017 and then releasing their even better follow-up with 2020’s Under Acid Hoof.

Caravan is more of the same style of music from their last album but perhaps heavier, gloomier, progressive and even daring in all of the right places. Taking Sabbathian sounds and bring a Space Rock perspective to the classic style of Doom/Stoner Metal the band are known for. It’s good to see the band continuing their excellent relationship with Heavy Psych Sounds Records for this album.

Opening song – Berserker – is full of GIGANTIC sounds like both the song title and band name suggests with powerful Occult style imagery being played with dynamic flair and epic progressive vibes along the way. The vocals from Chris Jr have shades of that classic “DOOM” persona that’s becoming quite distinctive and popular nowadays. I will admit these are my favourite style of vocals. As they are quite distinctive and pack a mighty punch for the great riffs the band play on this song and the entire album.

Acid Mammoth have brought a mightier and powerful level of DISTORTED FUZZ compared to their previous releases and the Psychedelic elements of Caravan give a more nomadic feel as well which the band use to their advantage on the next 2 superb songs Psychedelic Wasteland and Ivory Towers.

Psychedelic Wasteland offers almost 9 minutes of FUZZED OUT Doom/Stoner Metal that starts with a slow paced guitar before the powerful drumming of Marios brings a more filtered approach. The instrumental work is quite forceful in all the right places before Acid Mammoth settle down playing Occult based Doom/Stoner grooves.

Third track – Ivory Towers – continues with the slow-pounding hybrid Doom/Stoner Metal sound that offers some of the heaviest sounds of the entire album. There is a vintage SABBATH influence ruling the roost here but still allowing Acid Mammoth dictating their own rebellious blend of music. The lyrics are superb with Chris Jr offering more of his excellent and highly confident vocals.

The final two songs – Caravan and Black Dust – sees Acid Mammoth offer 20 minutes of Progressive and Riff Driven modern Doom/Stoner Metal with Caravan being perhaps the best song the band have released to date. It’s quite a daring song with Acid Mammoth offering a different style of music than before.

With these 5 songs, Acid Mammoth have proven they are one of the best bands from the European Doom/Stoner Metal scene. I can see these guys making major strides on the international stage with this album when the world gets back to some sort of normality when COVID-19 is fully under control.

Caravan is another welcome addition to Acid Mammoth’s already highly impressive back catalogue but perhaps stands out as their most creative and exciting release to date. This is definitely an album of the year contender from Acid Mammoth. Be sure to join the party when the album is released.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR and All Noir PR for the promo. Caravan will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds Records from March 5th 2020.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Acid Mammoth - Under Acid Hoof (Album Review)

Release date: January 24^th 2020. Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Under Acid Hoof – Tracklisting

Them!

Tree Of Woe

Tusks Of Doom

Jack The Riffer

Under Acid Hoof

Members

Chris Babalis Jr. – Vocals, Guitars

Chris Babalis Sr. – Guitars

Dimosthenis Varikos – Bass

Marios Louvaris – Drums

Review

Acid Mammoth come roaring back with their epic sounding second album Under Acid Hoof and it’s a groovy slice of Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Rock with influences diverse as Electric Wizard, Black Sabbath and Uncle Acid. Newly signed to Heavy Psych Sounds, the band waste no time in playing a vintage and classic style of Psychedelic Doom and Stoner Rock whilst offering a modern heavy groove as well.

Opening song – Them! – is a deliciously heavy opener with the band settling on an addictive slice of Psychedelic and Trippy Stoner Rock with a groovy Doom atmosphere that paves the way for the rest of the album to follow. The guitars have quite an epic quality to them. The vocals are inspired by the “Ozzy Osbourne” and “Uncle Acid” style of Classic Doom Rock with the lyrics adding an extra gloomy feel to the tone of the album.

Second song – Tree Of Woe – is where the band show their true talent for creating epic sounding classic Doom/Stoner Rock grooves. As this song runs past the nine-minute mark and Acid Mammoth play a more hard-hitting and heavier style of music with flashes of Prog Rock and Psych Rock taking their time to appear. This is quite a clever song with the vocals and lyrics playing a major part allowing the band to focus more on the “Doom Metal” part of their overall sound. Though the band still play a fine amount of Stoner Rock/Metal riffs along the way.

Third song – Tusks Of Doom – carries on the heavy distorted Psychedelic Doom sounds but with a more laid-back aggression that takes time to fully get going but the sound is still wildly addictive. This is perhaps the song where the band impressed me the most. Mostly with their overall vision of the whole album. The lyrics and vocals are first-rate on this song. Sure they’re over the top but it matches the context of the actual song. The heavy pounding rhythms feel quite original in places and never feel forced or out of place.

The final two songs Jack The Riffer and Under Acid Hoof offer almost sixteen minutes of intense and massive sounding Doom/Stoner Metal riffs that has a more Progressive feel and perhaps the heaviest riffs on the album. Acid Mammoth play some of the best riffs on these two songs with Under Acid Hoof being the main highlight of the entire album.

The whole album is a wonderful sounding Doom/Stoner Metal experience that gets the new year off to a fantastic start. I know this is one of the first albums I’ve reviewed for the new year but I feel that we’ve found a genuine Album Of The Year contender right here. This is a powerful and addictive experience that demands your full undivided attention.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR and Mona at All Noir PR for the promo. Under The Hoof will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from January 24th 2020.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp