Red Sun - Songs From Hidden Places (Album Review)

Release Date: June 19th 2026. Record Label: Subsound Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Songs From Hidden Places - Tracklisting

1.. Hidden Places

2. Details from the Past

3. Sleeping Brainqui

4. The Hidden Truth

5. All Things Are Written There

6. A Hidden Bond

7. The Secret Dope

Members

Stefano "Eno" Dusi (guitar)

Mirco Dugaria (bass)

Federico Rivoli (drums, synth)

Elisa Brusati (vocals)

Review

Psych/Space/Stoner Rock collective Red Sun take a major creative risk with their latest album Songs From Hidden Places by moving from their core instrumental sound and adding a vocalist to the mix. Elisa Brusati has joined the band and this gives Red Sun a more mystical and ethereal progressive quality to their music which aligns them more closely to the likes of TOOL and A Perfect Circle from a musical perspective at times.

Elisa’s vocals are quite grounded which gives Red Sun quite a Spaced Out energy compared to their previous albums. Their trademark style of Acid Rock, Psych and Jam based melodies are fully intact but with a heavier presence which fully comes to life very early on within the excellent opening track Hidden Places. There’s some trippy sounds building up behind the scenes as different layers of musical themes overlap each other whilst still being quite low-key and remarkably subdued.

Songs From Hidden Places does take time to find it’s emotional core but it’s a journey worth taking with the lyrics inspired by the likes of WINDHAND which is powered by some epic gloomy soundbytes being played from the instrumental melodies that accompany each track. There are some interesting themes developing within the hard-hitting tracks of Details From The Past. Sleeping Brain and The Hidden Truth.

The album does have a kaleidoscopic sound that’s developed throughout the album where the music constantly evolves with different hooks, riffs and progressive sounds allowing Red Sun fully reinventing themselves for the better. Red Sun perhaps had to change their music to form around Elisa’s superb vocals which can be quite direct one moment and beautifully sincere the next which left me impressed on an emotional level.

The second half of the album does allow Red Sun to play heavier grooves and wonderful ambient synths which can be considered Doomgaze in some aspects with the most powerful moments appearing on tracks such as All Things Are Written There and The Hidden Dope. 

Songs From Hidden Places is an emotionally charged record that allows Red Sun to open a highly exciting new chapter for themselves. The record is quite daring but one that offers the listener a highly rewarding experience that you will remember for a very long to come.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Metaversus PR for the promo.

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FANGUS - Emerald Dreams (Album Review)

Release Date: March 13th 2026. Record Label: From The Urn Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Emerald Dream - Tracklisting

I - Howling Hammer

II - Pyre Of Love

III - Psychoïd Telepath

IV - Quest For Fire

V - Emerald Dream

VI - Time Gambler

VII - Shapeshifter

VIII - Stardust Regulator

Members

Alex Bigras - Guitars

Snake St-Louis - Drums

Vick Trigger - Bass

Chub - Synths/Organ/Backing Vocals

Jim Laflamme - Lead Vocals/Tambourine

Review

FANGUS debut album Emerald Dream is an intoxicating mix of Psych, Acid Rock, Doom Rock, Proto-Metal, Occult Rock, Blues Rock and Stoner Rock. The album is quite wild and wickedly vivid with how FANGUS blend different genre conventions with an outlandish premise that pushes the boundaries of Heavy Psychedelic music.

The music is mostly sourced from the legendary sounds of the Sixties and Seventies scenes with the band never venturing into modern day themes. This makes the album quite a cool sounding and hip leaning slice of RETRO ROCK with a great attitude to match.

The record starts off spectacularly heavy and fast paced through the opening tracks of Howling Hammer, Pyre Of Love and Psychoïd Telepath which relies quite heavily on the extraordinary talents of Chub who provides an amazing array of Synths, Organs and sublime backing vocals along the way. His performance was what instantly drew me in at first though the rest of the band are amazing musicians as well with all them putting in first rate performances. Though, it took me a few listens to actually listen to each individual performance on certain sections of the album.

The lead vocals from Jim Laflamme feels like he was brought up on a steady diet of The Doors, Black Sabbath, Led Zepp, Alice Cooper, MC5 and The Who with his vocals having a slightly grizzled Classic Rock and Heavy Rock feel. The album does lean into early Seventies Proto-Doom metal records with a sudden outburst of Heavy Psych and Garage Rock making the album sound quite heavier and vindictive at times. The Occult Doom themes become the most interesting aspect on the later stages with FANGUS feel like they’re developing a soundtrack for a lost classic horror movie that’s being discovered for the very first time.

Everything is bloody OVER THE TOP and insanely dramatic but you can’t deny how beautifully melodic and insanely addictive the album is at the same time. The record moves to more demented areas of Occult Rock with some amazing FREAK-OUT instrumental passages courtesy of some wonderful guitars laid down by Alex Brigas. 

There’s also a slightly Ritual and Tribal aspect to Emerald Dreams that starts to break through on tracks such as Quest For Fire, Emerald Dreams, Shapeshifter and Stardust Regulator where the album does have a minor Space Rock aspect starting to form which allows the album to become ever more unpredictable.

The production values are outstanding which allows FANGUS to transport not only themselves but also the listener to another forbidden dimension told through the power of music.

Emerald Dreams doesn’t feel like a debut album. This feels like a greatest hits collection with FANGUS providing their best musical output for a new legion of followers to discover for the very first time in the present day. That’s the best way I can describe Emerald Dreams and I’m have no doubt that FANGUS will start to build quite a loyal cult following within the underground scene thanks to this superb album. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Emerald Dreams  is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via From The Urn Records.

Links 

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Some Pills For Ayala - Dystopia (Album Review)

Release Date: October 21st 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Dystopia - Tracklisting

1.Little Fingers 08:00

2.Black Rains 04:39

3.Above and Below 08:52

4.Regrets 04:28

5.Flying to Nowhere 04:40

6.Falling Down 08:05

7.Rise to the Surface 05:43

8.Dystopia 02:57

Lineup

Music played and recorded by Néstor Ayala Cortés

Review

Dystopia is the latest sonic adventure from Some Pills For Ayala which is the solo project from Néstor Ayala Cortés better known for his work with the Chilean Doom/Fuzz/Stoner Metal band At Devil Dirt. The record should appeal to fans of Brant Bjork, KYUSS, QOTSA and Yawning Man. The record is given a freakish and fuzzed up makeover with an escapist Southern American underground flavour that allows Some Pills For Ayala to move into areas of Drone, Psych, Space and Electronica which is quite potent to hear from the very offset.

Some Pills For Ayala offer a more mind-expanding and lysergic experience which taps quite heavily into the SONIC and FREAKOUT surroundings of Stoner Rock/Metal that feels like Néstor is tapping into multiple worlds and dimension for some of the music he conjures up here. 

The mood is quite laid-back for the most part within the opening track Little Fingers where there’s a deep BRANT BJORK energy resonating from the vocals and lyrics before a seedy aggressive burst of Fuzzed Up Stoner Metal taps into heavier influences but still allowing Some Pills For Ayala to generate their own style of epic music of their own making. The trippy and middle eastern beats appear minimally but make a massive impact and impression which becomes quite a common theme throughout the album.

Second track Black Rains is a soulful slice of Space Rock with a great style of Grunge, Stoner Metal and Alt-Metal forming with influences such as Monster Magnet and Alice In Chains beginning to emerge. The whole mood does feel inspired by Alice In Chains especially with the vocals, lyrics and musical tempo changes which makes this such a great track to listen to repeatedly before moving onto the next track on the album. You can expect to hear more SONIC and AMPLIFIER DISTORTION which allows the Sludge Rock aspect of the track to take complete control.

Third track Above and Below sees Some Pills For Ayala to change musical direction yet again with an abstract style of Grunge, Desert Rock and Fuzz Rock with the soulful Stoner based melody having a long distance approach. The song does take time to fully come together but when it does then you’re treated to one of the standout tracks on the album. Levels of synths appear which add a cool sounding ELECTRONIC vibe to the hallucinogenic journey that becomes heavier, faster and aggressive as time passes by. With a rich sounding Post-Rock narrative slowly transforming into finely played strands of Experimental Rock that becomes a majestic Post-Stoner and Space Rock sound before the song beautifully fades into the distance.

Fourth track Regrets is a sullen Ambient/Post-Rock number with brooding vocal passages set against a bleak Psychedelic tunnel which isn’t heaviest but contains some of the most interesting musical arrangements on the whole album.

Fifth track Flying To Nowhere is the most experimental track held on the album with Some Pills For Ayala playing with distorted feedback loops, warped electronics and vocals from another dimension. You can expect to experience areas of sonic experimentation and upbeat space rock grooves. The song is filtered through levels of twisted amounts of DRONED OUT electronics which leave you quite unsettled in places. 

For the final three tracks of the album (Falling Down, Rise to the surface and Dystopia) Some Pills For Ayala continues with their warped sense of melody and sonic distortion amongst the world of Heavy Psychedelics and intense Stoner Rock/Metal energy with some of the best grooves appearing on this part of the album. The whole musical dynamic is quite offbeat but also paying loving respect to the Nineties Stoner Metal scene. Vocals are excellent yet again from Néstor with some great lyrics allowing him to demonstrate what a great vocalist he actually is.

Dystopia is quite a challenging and highly unusual record but it’s one that offers a wealth of classic sounding Grunge, Psych, Space Rock, Fuzz Rock and Stoner Metal instrumental passages which is such a dangerously addictive record to fully experience. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

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Aganoor - Doomerism (Album Review)

Release Date: June 06th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Doomerism - Tracklisting

1.Bury my soul 06:13

2.Icarus 05:43

3.Nadir 05:59

4.Emerald lake 07:43

5.Morbid skin 06:10

6.Mind shadowing 07:34

Members

Dan Ghostrider - Vocals

Anth Maelstrom - Guitars

Stephen Drive - Bass

Alex Leonov - Drums

Review

Doomerism is the debut album from Doom Rockers Aganoor who play a seedier, fuzzier and acid-tinged take on the standard Grunge/Stoner sound that builds up a wild assortment of distorted movements and eerie melodies throughout the album. You can hear influences from the likes of Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, The Obsessed and Goatsnake at times. However, Aganoor truly come into their own sound when they develop their music with a sublime Psychedelic and Acid Rock flavour with down-tuned moments of Sludge Rock swagger on the excellent and downright catchy opening track Bury My Soul. 

There’s a certain Proto-Doom or Devil-Worshipping flavour to Aganoor at first but their dominant Grunge sound keeps everything in check which also allows the Psychedelic grooves being direct and downright effective when the music is playing to higher levels of distorted hysteria. The vocals from Dan Ghostrider have the perfect balance of 1980’s Hard Rock EXCESS and 1990’s Stoner/Grunge magic which also have a certain “LONER” aspect to them. 

Aganoor plays a great style of distorted FUZZ sounds against a seedier backdrop of Sludge Rock that develops on the following tracks of Icarus and Nadir which feels like BLACK SABBATH jamming with SOUNDGARDEN at times. Doomerism captures the 1990’s underground rock scene perfectly and transforms it with Acid Rock and Psych Rock landscapes which gives the record a soulful and dangerous quality at times. The music is always memorable with Aganoor writing intense lyrics that taps right into the DOOM & GLOOM movement which also adds a sense of OCCULT ROCK when the time calls for this.

Other great tracks to immerse yourself with include Nadir, Emerald Lake and Mind Shadowing which sees Aganoor experiment with that monolithic hybrid Grunge/Doom sound that becomes quite original before the album finishes. The band will keep the listener on their toes with the many different directions and diversions the album throws their way. This is one of the main strengths of Aganoor’s music. They’re willing to take risks and FUCK AROUND with genre rules and conventions. It’s perhaps the main reason why I absolutely adore Doomerism as it dares to be different whilst offering a great musical journey along the way.

With excellent production values throughout, Aganoor is a band that deserves wider recognition within the underground scene as Doomerism is an unmissable record that demands your full and undivided attention now!!!

Words by Steve Howe

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The Spiral Electric - In Too Deep (Single Review)

Release Date: May 16th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

In Too Deep - Tracklisting

In Too Deep

Members

Clay Andrews : Vocals / Guitar / Piano / Percussion

Nicolas Percey : Guitars

Ryan McKnight : Bass

Matias Drago : Drums

Review

In Too Deep is the latest single from Heavy Psych Rockers The Spiral Electric with this being their first new song in two years. The song is a stripped back song with a hazy Acid Rock and Shoegaze approach. The flow is constantly mellow with The Spiral Electric keeping the mood nuanced and superbly melodic. There’s some brief moments where the band almost branches out into heavier waters but the message here is one of “CALM and PEACE”. 

There’s a subtle 1990’s Alt Rock vibe coming from Clay Andrews warm-hearted vocals which allows a sudden shift into Grunge sounding dynamics where the best instrumental solos appear towards the end of the song. In Too Deep is superbly written with heartfelt lyrics that leave you with a warm emotional glow and is perhaps the perfect sounding Stoner Rock track for the upcoming SUMMER season.

If this is an indication of what The Spiral Electric’s upcoming new album will sound like then we’re in for a real treat. Check out this great track now. It’s sublime. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

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Some Pills For Ayala - ...and we leave the planet? (Album Review)

Release Date: December 14th 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

​.​.​and we leave the planet? - Track Listing:

1.YOU ARE DEAD 04:05

2.COUNTING CLOUDS 04:04

3.I AM RIGHT 04:33

4.THE PILOT KNOWS... AND WE LEAVE THE PLANET? 05:10

5.NO THIRD EYE 06:24

6.THIS IS WHERE WE STAND 03:47

7.BE AWAY 03:42

8.LAST ChANCE 06:34

Members

Néstor Ayala Cortés - Everything

Review

​..​.​and we leave the planet? is the new album from Some Pills For Ayala which is the solo project from Néstor Ayala Cortés better known for his work with the Chilean Doom/Fuzz/Stoner Metal band At Devil Dirt. Some Pills For Ayala have released a few other records before this one and I’m quite late to the party of enjoying Néstor’s great style of Fuzz, Grunge, Doom, Psych, Stoner, Drone and Acid Rock that he created for this project alone.

There’s a similar creative structure and sound to At Devil Dirt but with a more refined Drone Rock appetite which reminds me of early era QOTSA with the flirtatious blend of anthemic Stoner Rock that oozes 1990’s appeal and credibility. There’s a certain mainstream flare to Some Pills For Ayala which is quite radio friendly in places but Néstor adds that classic underground and seedy style of Fuzz, Doom and Space Rock musical surroundings which comes fully into play on tracks such as: You Are Dead, Counting Clouds and I Am Right. 

With a record called …and we leave the planet?, you would expect full on Space Rock explorations but to Néstor’s credit he keeps the mood moving along at a cracking pace where there’s a great sense of fun to be had especially with the vocals moving from areas of 1960’s Psychedelia right upto the modern day. The production values are quite LO-FI where the record is most definitely part of the underground DIY scene and I wouldn’t have this any other way. This gives the album a more dangerous quality where anything goes but still having a delicious and wicked sounding POP edge.

The standout tracks of the record have to be The Pilot Knows… And We Leave The Planet?, No Third Eye and Last Chance with Some Pills For Ayala perhaps aiming for a heavier and progressive sound whilst keeping in with the addictive blend of music heard on the previous tracks. Some Pills For Ayala becomes quite trippy and abstract with the subtle Acid Rock melodies that appear on the second half of the record. Néstor even finds the time to add an aggressive form of Doom Rock which brings a whole level of destructive FUZZ into the mix.

..​.​and we leave the planet? is quite a refreshing and highly original record where nothing as it seems with Néstor having a chameleon like quality to his entire performance throughout the whole album. I would call this record a tour-de-force performance from Nestor, as not only did he play everything on the record but he mastered, engineered, recorded and produced everything himself. Like he says on his BandCamp page for this album - “By the way, the whole album was made by a human being, there is no fucking AI in this work.”

AMEN to that and that’s even more reason to listen to this brilliantly entertaining album.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

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Magick Potion - Magick Potion (Album Review)

Release Date: November 08th 2024. Record Label: RidingEasy Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Magick Potion - Track Listing:

1.Fever Dream 05:36

2.Empress 04:03

3.Love With A Wizard 05:54

4.Chateau Nights 06:15

5.Never Change 03:38

6.Pagan 04:03

7.Ultraviolet 03:20

8.Wild Perfumes 05:57

Members

Dresden Boulden on Guitar and Vocals

Triston Grove on Bass

Jason Kendall on Drums

Review

Magick Potion are blasting full speed onto the scene with their self-titled album, boasting an impressive and nostalgic nod to the late 60’s and early 70’s. The band wears their influences on their sleeves and it’s evident in the songs as you hear a plethora of bands from the bygone era. Not only are the songs themselves steeped in the vein of classic rock in style and composition, so too is the production, truly taking the listener back in time. 

I can promise that you will hear the many bands that have influenced Magick Potion along their musical pathway as they are scattered across the album. In fact, they will put a smile upon your face when you make the connections. Magick Potion are convincing in their efforts to revamp the sound of the past. The thing is, they never truly rip-off anyone, they make it all their own with a fresh take upon proto-metal, heavy rock, and psychedelic ideas in a spectacular fashion. 

Comprised of vocalist/guitarist Dresden Boulden, bassist Triston Grove, and drummer Jason Kendall, the power trio from Baltimore have created a spellbinding formula with this release. The vocals obviously differ from the more upbeat songs to the slower ones, ranging from the higher register voice cracks on ‘Fever Dream’ to lighter more reserved moments such as on ‘Pagan’. 

Proto-metal blues-based rock guitar riffs with just the amount of fuzz indigenous of the time warp Magick Potion demonstrate fill the album, as do the hammer-on riffs, and string bending guitar solos. ‘Empress’ is an example of the band dipping their toes into the blues, while ‘Never Change’ is a proto blast from the past. 

‘Love With A Wizard’ flaunts the surging bass lines and sliding of the strings, though the album is full of impressive bass playing as it weaves and walks throughout the album. The drums are amazing. I love the style of playing, and the sound of the kit. I believe on a few occasions I even heard some timpani being played. Just listen to the percussion on my favorite track ‘Chateau Nights’ if you need further confirmation of the complexities and talent of Mr. Kendall. 

I’ve always felt the flow of an album is especially important and this one has that special type of movement, as it never stagnates, never losing the listener along the way. You could easily believe this was released in ’70 or ’71 and you could file it between any vintage albums of that period. Though the heavy underground retro scene may not be as populated as it was five or ten years back, Magick Potion has conjured up the evidence that it has never truly disappeared, nor will it. 

Words by Jon McGough

Thanks to RidingEasy Records for the promo.

Magick Potion self titled album is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via RidingEasy Records

Links

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