Lizzard Wizzard - WORM WAR III (Album Review)

Release Date: March 08th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

WORM WAR III - Tracklisting

1.Interlude 01:01

2.Cryosleep Paralysis 02:54

3.Spillsuit 05:54

4.Gorgon Ramsay 05:45

5.Parramatta Speedway 05:08

6.Just Piss 00:17

7.Ape Escape 07:36

8.Birdworm 04:17

9.Worm War III 04:44

10.Snake Who Eat He Own Ass 03:39

11.Mantis Khan 11:28

Members

Luke Osborne

Michael Clarke

Nick McKeon

Stef Roselli

Review

Doom/Stoner Metallers Lizzard Wizzard awaken from a nine year slumber with their new WORM WAR III which has an epic modern day relevance to the ongoing wars currently happening in the world. This is quite a nihilistic record and is quite different to their previous albums with a certain Death Metal edge contained within the lyrics. The music itself has a Blackened Doom and Sludge Metal vibe with a down-tuned Stoner Metal sound that allows Lizzard Wizzard to perhaps align themselves closer to bands even from the extreme scene.

However, they never fully abandon their WEEDIAN ideals with stripped back melodies and distorted Psychedelic passages never too far within the bombastic opening tracks Interlude, Cryosleep Paralysis and Spillsuit. They still have the certain BONGZILLA and WEEDEATER influences hidden within their music but they have written mature themes for their lyrics that gives this record a highly unsettling quality.

Sometimes, the music is played at a cautious slow-to-mid pace which only adds extra weight to the already pitch-black musical horizons. They tapped into this style of music very briefly within their last album Total War Power Bastard but this time round this is a full on Sludge/Stoner Metal assault on the senses with some pitch-black comedic lyrics being added along the way mostly on tracks such as Gorgon Ramsay, Parramatta Speedway, and Snake Who Eat His Own Ass.

The real standout moments perhaps appear on tracks such as Just Piss, Ape Escape and Mantis Khan which sees Lizzard Wizzard change their musical direction for with strands of Progressive Metal forming that allows the band to comprise more intricate soundscapes whilst keeping their murky harsh tone. If you dig the likes of CONAN, HIGH ON FIRE, EYEHATEGOD and -(16)- then you’ll find much to admire on these tracks alone.

WORM WAR III really puts the listener through a tough battle which is brutally violent or violently brutal which the band makes no apologies for. This is the heaviest record that Lizzard Wizzard have released to date. It may have taken them nine years but it’s been really worth the wait. This record destroys everything within its wake and is one of the most filthiest, heaviest and brutal Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal records I’ve heard so far this year. 

The production quality is excellent which allows Lizzard Wizzard to create multiple waves of destructive and apocalyptic sounds throughout which all take a “NO HOLDS PRISONERS” approach whilst still providing a shit-ton of epic grooves and riffs to fully lose yourself in.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp

Hibernaut / Face Pulp Split (Album Review)

Release Date: February 27th 2026. Record Label: What’s Left Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl/Tape

Hibernaut / Face Pulp - Tracklisting

Hibernaut - Mark of Shame 

Hibernaut - Intermundium

Hibernaut - Tongueless

Hibernaut - Bastardized Cultivation

Face Pulp - Ups and Downs and Crap

Face Pulp - Dicks, Pins, and Needles

Face Pulp - The One You Forgot 

Face Pulp - I'll Need Proof of Humanity

Face Pulp - Stereotypical Paths

Face Pulp Members

Steve - Vocals

MT - Guitar

Landyn - Bass

Randy - Drums

Hibernaut Members

Dave Jones - Guitar, Vocals

Zach Hatsis - Drums

Josh Dupree - Bass

Matt Miller - Lead Guitar

Review

This split album featuring Doom/Stoner/Sludge Metallers HIBERNAUT and Grindcore/Punk/Sludge Metallers FACE PULP is an interesting record with both bands coming from different musical backgrounds though they compliment each other very well. I consider myself a fan of Hibernaut but Face Pulp are an entirely new band for me as I’m not really into the whole Grindcore scene now.

Hibernaut offer the “SLUDGE METAL / STONER METAL” side of the record taking influence from the likes of SLEEP, HIGH ON FIRE, MASTODON and NEUROSIS. Their side of the album is spread across four tracks running around twenty three minutes of great music. The band play to their strengths with stripped back production values that gives a raw sludgy atmosphere developing from the opening track Mark Of Shame which does have an early “NEUROSIS” influence especially with the vocals and how the music is aggressively played.

This style of sound is the dominant style of music that Hibernaut superbly delivers throughout their entire set with mighty slabs of Prog Metal forming within the standout tracks of Interundium and Bastardized Civilization. The band have written some pretty hard-hitting lyrics for this record especially when compared to their previous albums. Hibernaut take creative cues from HIGH ON FIRE and MASTODON especially when the music changes into a heavier THRASH style with echoes of THUGGISH Stoner Metal grooves finally showing up. 

The band do experiment with their music by adding some cool sounding organs into the mix within Interunidum. The record changes into a Occult Doom Metal record for one of the best parts of Hibernaut’s set. Hibernaut once again prove what a great band they truly are with a highly unapologetic performance that leaves you wanting more. 

As I stated previously, I haven’t listened to Face Pulp before and this is my first experience with them but truth be told, these guys are FUCKING AWESOME. I loved their side of the record so much. Face Pulp provides five tracks and within true Grind/Death/Hardcore Punk fashion, their side only lasts thirteen minutes. 

Their style of Grind, Death. Sludge, and Hardcore Punk equals PURE FUCKING CARNAGE and VIOLENT BRUTALITY. There’s also some great rhythms and rocking melodies along the way especially on their tracks “Ups And Downs And Craps”, The One You Forgot and I’ll Need Proof Of Humanity.

Face Pulp live upto their “GRIND” and “DEATH METAL” influences in a huge way with big and brutal slamming riffs from the very start. Their music is the very definition of “MOSH PIT MUSIC”. As you can feel the intensity of their music being played at a very fast pace. It left me breathless at times. However, Face Pulp does slow the mood right down for a wicked Sludge Metal sound to fully emerge and take control in small doses.

Once Face Pulp’s set had finished, I needed a brief rest to collect my thoughts and question what I just listened to. I mean that as a huge complement. The production values are solid with Face Pulp having a raw aesthetic and violent energy that perfectly matches Hibernaut’s side of the split.

This is a great album featuring two amazing bands from different sides of the musical spectrum that should expand their fan base even more. And what’s most important for me is that I’ve become a fan of Face Pulp because of this outstanding album. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.

Hibernaut / Face Pulp Split Album is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl/Tape via What's Left Records via the links below:

Face Pulp BandCamp Page / Hibernaut BandCamp Page

Hibernaut Links:

Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Linktree

Face Pulp Links:

Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify

OREYEON - The Grotesque Within (Album Review)

Release Date: February 13th 2026. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Grotesque Within- Tracklisting

1.Echoes Of Old Nightmares 04:24

2.Nothing But Impurities pt.1

3.Nothing But Impurities pt.2

4.The Grotesque Within

5.Something Over There

6.I'm Your Mistake 04:25

7.Dead Puppet Eyes

Members

Pietro Virgilio - Drums

Richard Silvaggio - Bass / Vocals

Andrea Ricci - Guitar

Matteo Signanini - Guitar

Review

Psych/Space/Stoner Rockers OREYEON return with their fourth full length album The Grotesque Within which sees the band move away slightly from their Spaced Out and Cosmic roots for a more grounded Grunge makeover. You can hear a certain Alice In Chains and Soundgarden swagger behind the fuzzy sonic passages which has served the band superbly well over the last decade or so. This is perhaps the sound that OREYEON have been building upto ever since their 2016 debut album Builders Of Cosmos. Though, OREYEON are still part of the Spaced Out sound with that delicious and trippy levels of Fuzzed Out Doom still built upon from start to finish.

The first opening batch of tracks Echoes Of Old Nightmares, Nothing But Impurities Pt 1 and Nothing But Impurities Pt 2 allows OREYEON to expertly build waves of musical passages that forges a solid union of Doom, Psych, Sludge and Stoner melodies with that sudden shift to Grunge landscapes. The interplay of Space Rock moving throughout the classic era of Doomed Out underground scene with movements of trippy soundbytes and haunting Post-Stoner soundscapes becomes ever more heavier and aggressive which OREYEON use to their full advantage.

The lead vocals from Richard Silvaggio feel like he’s experienced that life has thrown at him and still comes out winning from the other side with his expertly driven vocals that can be ice cold as hell one moment and full of uplifting passion the next. When OREYEON decide to transform into a Sludge Rock Powerhouse then they’re really COOKING and playing some of the standout sounds contained on the first half of the record. The lyrics are perfectly captured or influenced from the Nineties era when the Grunge, Sludge and Stoner Metal scenes once reigned supreme. 

The Grotesque Within is OREYEON’s most mature and grown up record to date with the band exploring new areas of music that feels fresh and highly original on tracks such as The Grotesque Within, Something Over There and the brilliant final track Dead Puppet Eyes. The lyrics do become slightly depressing at times but OREYEON inject this against a ton of first rate Post-Stoner and Heavy Psychedelic melodies which sees them reach the same dazzling heights laid down by the likes of LOWRIDER, HOWLING GIANT and KING BUFFALO have made their names with. I can easily see OREYEON being classed as the same level as those great bands with this album alone.

The instrumental work is just immense from everyone involved and you have to give credit to Pietro Virgilio (Drums), Richard Silvaggio (Bass / Vocals), Andrea Ricci (Guitar) and Matteo Signanini (Guitar) for not only expanding on their great sound but injecting a new great style of SONIC and GRUNGE transformation into the mix that is quite refreshing and brilliantly exciting to hear. 

OREYEON have once again delivered a record of real quality that stands the test of time and will no doubt perhaps be considered one of the standout Heavy Psych / Stoner Metal albums of the year. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

The Grotesque Within is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds.

OREYEON links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

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

Ever Age - Ever Age (Album Review)

Release Date: August 01st 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD

Ever Age - Tracklisting

1.Coldera 03:31

2.Psychlone 03:39

3.The Great Beyond 05:38

4.Black Suede 03:06

5.Radiant Figure 04:54

6.RAMP 05:23

7.Everlanche 08:13

8.Memory Carve 00:54

9.Anytime 08:02

Members

Neil Snyder - Drums

Eli Saltzberg - Bass

Aiden Snyder - Guitar & Vox

Review

Ever Age's debut album is a heavy mix of Psych Rock, Blues Rock, Doom Rock and Stoner Rock where the band adds an ice cold blast of Mountain / Appalachian melodies throughout. The sound is always heavy with a refreshing Classic Rock approach which allows the record to be quite soulful with the heavy amount of Blues grooves that Ever Age lay down on the early stages of the record. 

There’s quite a heavy BASS HEAVY attitude being played by Eli Saltzberg’s dynamic and powerful presence which allows Neil Snyder (Drums) and Aiden Snyder (Guitar / Vocals) to perform a sublime Stoner Rock based sound which brings a refreshing Seventies RAWK & ROLL vibe on tracks such as Coldera and Psyclone.

The record becomes quite heavy with Ever Age frequently moving into DOOMIER pastures from the exquisite third track The Great Beyond with its subtle Blues Rock/Proto-Doom swagger which sees a slight variance of Sludge Rock appearing. Though, Ever Age keeps everything grounded with perhaps the first standout track of the album developing right here. 

The band marches fully into their POWER TRIO stance with Ever Age being influenced by the bands of the Sixties and Seventies era of Hard Rock. If you’re a fan of ALL THEM WITCHES then you’ll be right at home here as Ever Era taps into that superb aura of music which always feels fully fleshed out with hard-hitting melodies and supreme levels of intricate storytelling.

Other standout tracks to check out include: Black Suede, Radiant Figure, RAMP, Everlanche and Anytime. There’s an unexpected switchover to Prog Rock passages on the majority of tracks with Ever Age keeping in with their Blues Rock / Mountain Rock ideals whilst still playing superb levels of straight out Heavy Rock which results in some top-notch instrumental solos being delivered.

Ever Age is a winning combination of great melodies, fantastic vocals and excellent lyrics that allows Ever Age to release quite an original record that has a haunting emotional quality to it all.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

An Evening With Knives - End Of Time (Album Review)

Release Date: March 14th 2025. Record Label: Argonauta Records / Electric Spark Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

End Of Time - Tracklisting

1.Pride of Lions 03:01

2.All They Need 04:21

3.Death 03:40

4.Old Man 05:10

5.End of Time 03:32

6.Voices 05:45

7.The Mistake 05:47

8.S21 07:32

Members

Peter van Grunsven - Bass guitar Jarno van Osch - Drums & samples Marco Gelissen - Guitar & vocals

Review

Sludge/Stoner/Post-Metal collective An Evening With Knives firmly establish their Post-Metal sound very early on within their new album End Of Time. This is heavier and more aggressive compared to their last album Sense Of Gravity which was released back in 2020. The album allows the band to merge subtle Ambient Post-Metal vibes with an eclectic mix of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal movements with the vocals being quite different and daring at the same time.

You can hear influences from Neurosis, Deftones, Mastodon and even Faith No More at times with a despairing Alt Metal sound being unleashed on the opening tracks of Pride Of Lions, All They Need and Death. An Evening With Knives fully hit their creative stride when they bring a Post Hardcore and Progressive flair to their music with the music having different time signatures and frantic Post-Stoner based attitudes which have a cool experimental energy to them.

The length of the tracks is another highlight with the majority of the songs lasting between four mins to six minutes each. Sometimes the music can be considered straightforward but An Evening WIth Knives bring a world-building Progressive Sludge Metal attitude to the album with diverse melodies shining a light to their excellent songwriting skills and superb use of atmospheric textures.

With flashes of a more obsessive Post-Stoner and Post-Doom swagger taking complete charge on the second half of the record, An Evening With Knives still have plenty of tricks up their sleeves to unleash a cool and neverending style of heavy instrumental passages to lose yourself in. 

Other standout tracks to check out are End Of Time, Voices and S21 where the Cosmic elements merge spectacularly well with the Post-Doom atmospherics that shows how An Evening With Knives have delivered an action-packed and superbly constructed heavy record that sets out everything it needs to do and still leaves you begging for more action.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the promo.

End Of Time is available to buy now on CD via Argonauta Records and Vinyl via Electric Spark Records

Link

www.aneveningwithknives.com
www.facebook.com/aneveningwithknives
www.instagram.com/aneveningwithknives
www.electricsparkrecords.com
www.argonautarecords.com