Hebi Katana - Doom N' Bloom 2024 (Album Review)

Release Date: May 28th 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Doom N' Bloom 2024: Tracklisting

1.Intro - Debtor 05:08

2.Pain Should I Take 05:45

3.Struggle with a Lie 05:29

4.No Sorrow 04:46

5.Drum Solo - The Hole 07:04

6.Darkest Priest 05:00

7.Hallelujah Anyway 05:21

8.Intro - Direction for Human Hearts 06:08

9.Darkest Priest 04:58

10.Drum Solo - The Hole 05:42

11.Pennsylvania Blood 04:23

12.Zephyrphobia 01:34

13.Struggle with a Lie 04:09

14.Pain Should I Take 05:21

Members

Nobu: Guitars, Vocals

Laven: Bass, Vocals

Goblin: Drums

Review

Doom N' Bloom 2024 is the first live album from self proclaimed SAMURAI DOOM ROCKERS - Hebi Katana - and it’s made up of two concerts the band performed earlier this year which is explained below:

Side A (Track 1 - 7)

Live at Sengoku-Daitoryo 戦国大統領 Osaka, Japan

April 13 2024

Side B (Track 8 - 14)

Live at Niman-Denatsu 20,000V 二万電圧 Tokyo, Japan

April 12 2024

The concerts were in support of their 2023 acclaimed album “III” and features tracks from that album and tracks from their other great releases. The album is not the best sounding LIVE recording and the volume is perhaps a bit too LOW at times but this record still shows what a great LIVE act that Hebit Katana are becoming within their home country of Japan. 

I’m a huge fan of their music and love their Proto-Doom style of Stoner Metal which has elements of Punk Rock, Heavy Metal, Speed Metal and other fine amounts of 1980’s Hard Rock that gives Hebi Katana’s music a more EXCESSIVE feel compared to other Doom/Stoner Metal bands from the Japanese scene.

Despite the rough production values, you instantly become part of the actual audience with the band's collection of great songs that are delivered with gritty determination especially in the extended instrumental solos that become quite THRASH based within the first half of the album.

Some tracks do appear twice within the album which is understandable being from different set-lists but feel quite different at times and that’s down to the appreciative reactions from the audience especially with Struggle With A Lie and Darkest Priest. 

Hebi Katana are becoming a force to be reckoned with within the Doom/Stoner Metal scene and they’re only going to become bigger and better with future releases. They’re about to embark on a short European Tour visiting France/Italy in July 2024. If you want to see what all the fuss is about with Hebi Katana and you want to hear a superbly entertaining LIVE album which pays respect to the LIVE BOOTLEG albums from the good old days then Doom N’ Bloom 2024 fits that bill perfectly.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Black Rainbows - Cosmic Ritual Supertrip (Album Review)

Release date: May 22nd 2020. Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Cosmic Ritual Supertrip – Tracklisting

1.At Midnight You Cry 02:57

2.Universal Phase 03:47

3.Radio 666 04:32

4.Isolation 03:38

5.Hypnotized By The Solenoid 05:36

6.The Great Design 02:00

7.Master Rocket Power Blast 03:21

8.Snowball 04:17

9.Glittereyzed 04:30

10.Sacred Graal 05:01

11.Searching For Satellites Part 1 & 2 04:33

12.Fire Breather 04:46

Members

GABRIELE FIORI

FILIPPO RAGAZZONI

EDOARDO MANCINI

Review

Italian Fuzz Rock Legends – Black Rainbows – return with their latest and perhaps greatest album to date with the band offering a more refined and action-packed sound that takes all the best elements of previous albums whilst allowing Black Rainbows moving their sound forward into the next decade and beyond. Black Rainbows continue their journey with Heavy Psychedelic Grooves that has their trademark style of Fuzz Rock, Psych Rock and Stoner Rock with a kick-ass 70s vintage sound.

The album starts with the fast-paced and upbeat sounds of – At Midnight You Cry – with the bands trademark FUZZY riffs moving along with a nice addictive edge. Gabriele is on inspired form with his excellent vocals that offer his usual top-notch performance with soulful attitude and experience to match. The music has always been Black Rainbows main strength and the band don’t disappoint with this hard-edge rocker that runs under 3 minutes but it’s a good indicator of how good this album really is and I appreciated the more sleazier sounding aspects of the album but that could be my own personal conclusion.

Second song – Universal Phase – is classic Black Rainbows through and through with a deeply satisfying vintage Psych/Space Rock sound with a dirty FUZZ Rock atmosphere allowing the band to add soundbytes to their music that brings in a 50s B Movie attitude to the mix. The song becomes a more livelier affair when the 50s soundbytes dictate on how the song plays out with great vocals and lyrics adding an extra layer of Stoner Rock class to the overall feel and sound of the album.

Third song – Radio 666 – is easily one of the most addictive songs on the album with superbly written lyrics that are quite easy to remember which allows the listener to become part of the action. The music does take time to fully get going but Black Rainbows have more time to play with this song and they play a more well rounded style of music on this song which is one of my favourite songs on the album.

The band continue their epic journey of focusing upon the best years of 70s Hard Rock and combining the Psychedelic Aggression of 90s Stoner Rock/Metal that will leave you with an almighty warm glow despite the current dark times that the whole world is going through.

Other standout songs on the album include, Isolation, Hypnotized By The Solenoid, Master Rocket Power Blast and Sacred Graal. Though the real highlight is perhaps the final two songs (Searching For Satellites Parts 1 & 2 and Fire Breather) which sees Black Rainbows offer an Acoustic Style of music we rarely hear from the band but this is a superbly written collection of two songs that we would perhaps expect from Gabriele other musical project – The Pilgrim.

Cosmic Ritual Supertrip features fantastic production which is always a given with Black Rainbows and albums released by Heavy Psych Sounds. So expect a vibrant and quite loud album especially when the DOOMIER aspects of the record appear throughout the album.

Overall, Cosmic Ritual Supertrip only enhances Black Rainbows reputation as one of today’s best bands within the Stoner Rock/Metal scene. This is a Top 10 album of the year contender for myself and I believe you will see this album in similar positions on other lists when the year is out.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo. Cosmic Ritual Supertrip is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl from Heavy Psych Sounds.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

MENDOZZA - Soul Nebula (Album Review)

Release date: February 28th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: DD/Vinyl

Soul Nebula - Tracklisting

1.Capsized 02:11

2.The Black Sunstone 05:17

3.Death March 03:31

4.Soul Nebula 07:48

5.Two Lane Blacktop 03:56

6.Beyond The Tomb 05:44

7.The Gates of Sleep 08:58

8.Just One Fix 04:48

Members

Drums - masterbeater

Guitar - Deuce

Bass Guitar - the Judge

Review

Canadian Doom/Stoner Riff Merchants – Mendozza – are back with their first new album in 8 years with Soul Nebula. I will admit it’s been a long while since I’ve heard the band. So I didn’t know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised with Mendozza style of highly atmospheric blend of Doom/Stoner Metal As this album has a spaced out aggressive attitude to it all.

The album is quite complex in places with both it’s lyrical themes and progressive grooves the band have adapted for this album. Soul Nebula never talks down it’s audience and sees the band portray a dark complex journey told through the power of Doom/Stoner Metal.

The opening songs – Capsized and The Black Sunshine – superbly portray what to expect on this album with heavy pounding psychedelic riffs and bleak lyrics to match. The music has a “Mastodon” feel to it but this is still Mendozza’s show with the ever caustic approach to their music. The “Doom” metal aspect of the album is quite cold in places but still has a soulful vibe to it all.

Soul Nebula feels like the perfect album for the current global crisis happening in front of our very eyes with the lyrics portraying the near end of the world. So don’t expect an easy listen with this album. Mendozza don’t shy away upon touching some harsh realities for some.

The rest of the album carries on the aggressive spaced out attitude with a few surprises along the way. The music does veer into classic Heavy Metal territory in places and it’s good to hear how the band are quite inventive with their music. The vocals play an integral part to Mendozza’s overall sound as this album is perhaps more narrative that you would initially expect. So the vocals need to be clear, powerful and precise and they are on this album.

If you’re hear solely for the music then you can be treated to some epic “Power-Trio” classic sounds of 70s Hard Rock merged with the more modern sounding Doom/Stoner Metal with influences such as Mastodon, Clutch, High On Fire and Black Sabbath leading the way.

Soul Nebula is an album packed full of many different surprises that will impress you in many different ways. The top-notch production is another highlight that allows Mendozza to open their sound up like never before. This is the most bombastic and expansive release that the band have released to date. And this is their 6^th album overall.

It’s good to have Mendozza back to lead us through these dark times. I’m hoping we don’t have to wait another 8 or 9 years for the next album. If that’s the case then savour this album as it’s another thrilling record from this great band.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Brien Montgomery for the promo. Soul Nebula is available to buy digitally now. Vinyl will be available to buy on from April 1st 2020.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Stoned Monkey - S/T (Album Review)

Release date: December 06th 2019. Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD

Stoned Monkey – S/T – Tracklisting

1.Pain of Mind 03:36

2.Stoned As Fuck 05:17

3.U-Boot 05:36

4.Slow Sickness 05:26

5.OG-China 02:47

6.Green House 05:49

Members

Desa: guitar

Tia: bass

Cpx: drums

Review

Stoned Monkey self-titled debut album takes influence from Weedeater, BONGZILLA, SLEEP and BELZEBONG. I would also add Karma To Burn to the mix as well with these guys being an Instrumental Stoner Metal Band. So you know where Stoned Monkey are going with this album. It’s an album about WEED, Influenced by WEED and contains some EPIC WEEDIAN SOUNDS.

Though the band do show a cool flair with heavy sounding Progressive grooves here and there. The album does hold a bleak atmosphere within it’s musical DNA. The songs on offer are perfect for your next “STONED OUT” session and will induce a few outlandish theories along the way and that’s mainly down to the use of clever audio-clips spliced throughout the album.

The production is good and allows Stoned Monkey to perfect their bleak and blazed out sound especially on songs such as: Pain Of Mind, Stoned As Fuck, Slow Sickness and Green House.

As you can tell by the song-titles they all have the same clever hidden meaning but there is an air of intelligence to Stoned Monkey’s grooves. The music is heavy and confident from start to finish and this all adds up to a nightmarish addictive ride into the realm of WEEDIAN/STONER METAL.

The album also has it’s fair share of Noise Rock style moments and that gives Stoned Monkey an unpredictable aggression to their music. So it’s quite original in that respects but it’s primarily a Doom/Stoner Metal album that ticks all the right boxes.

Shame the album is very short running under 30 minutes. I wanted to hear a couple more songs on the album. Though, apart from that, Stoned Monkey album is definitely worth your time.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mona at All Noir PR. Stoned Monkey debut album is available to buy now on CD/DD via Argonauta Records.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Caustic Casanova - God How I Envy The Deaf (Album Review)

Release date: October18th 2019. Label: Magnetic Eye Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

God How I Envy The Deaf – Tracklisting

1.Fancy English 06:00

2.Filth Castle 05:10

3.If Your Brain is Properly Oiled 04:47

4.Memory King 05:45

5.Donut and the Golden Hen 02:57

6.Taos Lightning 04:33

7.Truth Syrup 05:12

8.Roger B. Taney (Feat. Emily Danger) 05:52

9.Boxed and Crated 10:00

Members

FRANCIS BERINGER - Bass, Vocals

STEFANIE ZAENKER - Drums, Percussion, Vocals

ANDREW YONKI - Guitar

JAKE KIMBERLEY - Guitar

Review

God How I Envy The Deaf is the 3^rd from Noise/Sludge/Stoner/Psych Rockers Caustic Casanova and it features all their trademark riffs and dark humour that they’ve made their own within their almost 14 year career. Caustic Casanova have always pushed the boundaries of their music with each record they’ve released ever since their formation back in 2006. Though this album is perhaps their most daring and creative to date but also perhaps being their most accessible to date a well, Making it easy for first time listeners to enjoy the wild ride the band have in store for everyone.

The album is packed full of heavy sounding riffs that stretch the boundaries of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal but with Sludge, Doom, Stoner and Noise Rock being the main strengths the band have made their name with. The Psychedelic grooves hold everything together and allows Caustic Casanova to push their music into different musical directions than ever before.

The songs are packed full of rich inventive ideas where the music moves effortlessly from one genre to the next without losing it’s Psychedelic edge or focus.

Opening song – Fancy English – is a combination of 90s Noise/Grunge Rock sounds with a dark pop sensibility moving further into Heavy Sludge Rock vibes and fantastic vocals from Stefanie and Francis as well. The Alternative Rock/Metal flavour of the song bodes well for the rest of the album but this song also shows the creative lengths the band aim for the majority of the album.

Second song – Filth Castle – offers a more jangled and unsettled Noise Rock approach with a Punk Rock sensibility shining through. The heavy sludgy and stoner sounding guitars is quite experimental places but it shows why Caustic Casanova have never been afraid to take risks with their music. You can hear influences diverse as The Melvins, The B-52’s and Talking Heads on this song. Well I can but I could be looking too much into that. However, this is weird and addictive slice of Hard Rock that shows you the different styles of music the band will play on this record.

Third song – If Your Brain Is Properly Oiled – opens with a troubling Sludge groove before traces of Psychedelic sounds appear for a more threatening and aggressive approach. This is one of the standout songs on the album with aggressive lyrics having a more gloomier effect. There is some wicked dark humour with the lyrics as well but it’s the music that holds your attention.

Fourth song – The Memory King – is another wonderfully sounding epic from the band with a more laid back approach with hazy guitars slowly building upto a powerful and heavy rhythm. The vocals are more withdrawn but it draws you into Caustic Casanova dark world. The music is quite LO-FI in places but still sounding fresh and dramatically heavy when the moment calls for it. The song sees the band draw on their Post-Hardcore roots that build up to a highly dramatic finish.

Caustic Casanova carry on their dark and twisted style of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal for the remaining 6 songs left on the album but still offering a few delicious and heavy surprises along the way. The music becomes even weirder on the 2^nd half of the album with different strands of Psychedelic Rock, Sludge Metal and Stoner Metal giving way to a more Progressive sound.

Other cool songs to check out are: Donut and The Golden Hen, Taos Lightning, Roger B. Taney and the gloriously insane final song – Boxed And Crated.

God How I Envy The Deaf is a stunning album on all levels with top-notch production showing folks what Caustic Casanova do so brilliantly well. This album proves that Caustic Casanova are a brilliant and original band in their own right. There is no other band like them around at this moment in time and this album is perhaps their best album to date.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

DENIZEN - High Winds Preacher (Album Review) and Exclusive Album Stream

Release date: November 29th 2019. Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

High Winds Preacher – Tracklisting

1.Shadow Dancer 03:33
2.Among The Trees 04:54
3.Ears Wide Opened
4.Chasing The Guru
5.The Beast
6.Mandrake Is Everywhere
7.White Flamingo
8.Deaf Taint
9.Punch Out
10.Tomahawk

Members

Fabien Aletto : Vocals
Yann Chinette : Guitars
Andreas Goumy : Drums
Colin Trognée : Bass

Review


High Winds Preacher is the new album from French Stoner Rockers – Denizen – and it’s a gloriously heavy affair which doesn’t take itself too seriously with the different strands of Stoner Rock the band employ throughout the album. Denizen take the standard Kyuss and Fu Manchu style of Stoner grooves and put their own creative spin on things.

Denizen have been going as a band for over quite a while now and they’ve released a wide range different releases over the years that all play to their creative strengths and High Winds Preacher is no different. The band add a clever style of distorted Fuzz Rock on this album with the opening songs Shadow Dancer and Among The Trees showing two different sides to the band. Shadow Dancer has a more playful energy and intense blend of Stoner/Fuzz Rock whilst Among The Trees feels more restrained but with a lot more going on in the background.

The vocals are quite different on this album as they feel more experimental and you should expect to hear different styles of vocals on this album. Though it won’t spoil your overall enjoyment album. Far from it. As it makes the album to have a unique personality of its own.

The album becomes more focused when the third and fourth songs of the album appear with Ears Wide Opened and Chasing The Guru sees Denizen playing a classic style of Desert/Fuzz/Stoner Rock with Psychedelic vibes ruling the roost. The album still allows Denizen to experiment with their sound for a wilder style of music that we haven’t heard from the band before.

Other songs to check out are: The Beast, Mandrake Is Everywhere, White Flamingo and Tomahawk – being the songs with the heaviest and exciting riffs on the album. Tomahawk is perhaps the standout song with the band having more time to fully explore and create more vivid sounding Stoner riffs.

High Winds Preacher does sound and feel like a concept album of sorts with a loose story being told throughout the album. It may take a few listens for the overall themes of the album to fully shine through but as a Stoner Rock album, Denizen have released another wild and highly adventurous slice of Stoner Rock/Metal that will no doubt impress their established fanbase and maybe gain some new fans along the way.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

You can hear to the album this full with this exclusive album stream. Thanks to Mona at All Noir PR for all of the details.

High Winds Preacher will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from Argonauta Records on Friday 29th November.

  
Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

BRUNT - Ataraxy (Album Review)

Release date: November 30th 2019. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Ataraxy – Tracklisting

The Grauballe Man

Light Of The Mire

Ataraxy

Black Smoke

Members

Elliott Mariess (bass)

Christian Mariess (drums)

Ave Thompson (guitar

Review

Ataraxy is the new album from Guernsey Psychedelic Post-Rock/Stoner Rock band BRUNT and it’s their first new record in 3 years. The band have spent that time wisely creating a more cinematic style of music with the music being more driven by Post-Rock sounds than ever before. This makes Ataraxy a more interesting prospect with the different styles of music on offer.

BRUNT still manage to create LOUD and HEAVY Stoner Rock/Metal grooves throughout the album and it’s quite creative in places and the album becomes a more rewarding experience every time you listen to it. Though it will take a few listens to fully understand it all. The album is purely instrumental but that doesn’t stop BRUNT telling an intriguing story that packed with depth and emotion from start to finish.

Opening song – The Grauballe Man – feels influenced by ISIS/Russian Circles style of Post-Rock that sets up the scene beautifully well and the ambient sounds further draws you into BRUNT’s dark world. The song is quite gloomy and claustrophobic in places but it fully comes alive when the Stoner Rock or Post-Stoner vibes appear and things become HEAVY and VOLATILE rather quickly. Though it’s the opening Post-Rock moments that impressed me the most.

Second song – Light Of The Mire – is another 9 minute epic where BRUNT deliver another superb piece of Progressive Post-Stoner grooves with elements of Sludge Rock that begin to show a more creative side to the band that we haven’t heard before. The song is quite complex in places but BRUNT deserve credit for trying something different for the sound they’re initially made their name with. This album feels like BRUNT are starting to come of age and wanting to make a real name for themselves and the opening two songs shows that the band have accomplished that mission.

Third song – Ataraxy – is the shortest song on the album but perhaps the most interesting. As the band have less time to play with here but still manage to weave a stunning blend of Psych Rock. Stoner Rock and Space Rock that manages to feel fresh and original.

The final song – Black Smoke – sees BRUNT return with another epic 9 minute song that follows the same setup as the opening two songs but allowing BRUNT to try different things as well. This is my favourite song on the album as it feels more emotional and more focused as well. The Progressive parts hold everything together for BRUNT to play some of the heaviest grooves on the entire album.

Ataraxy is a superbly produced album and one that shows why this is BRUNT’s best album to date. This is perhaps one of the best Instrumental Rock albums you’ll hear this year. No question...

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to BRUNT for the promo. Ataraxy will be available to buy from November 30th 2019.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Holy Serpent - ENDLESS (Album Review)

Release date: October 18th 2019. Label: RidingEasy Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Endless – Tracklisting

1.Lord Deceptor 06:47

2.Into the Fire

3.Daughter of the Light

4.Hourglass 05:26

5.For No One 07:44

6.Marijuana Trench

Members

Scott Penberthy - Guitar/Vocals

Nick Donoughue - Guitar

Dave Bartlett - Bass

Lance Leembrugen - Drums

Review

Endless is the 3^rd album from Australian Heavy Psych Rockers Holy Serpent and sees the band continue their partnership with RidingEasy Records. This album continues where their 2016 effort TEMPLES left off but with more emphasis on progression and storytelling. The album has a more Doom orientated sound perhaps influenced by Uncle Acid in places.

However the Stoner Rock grooves allow Holy Serpent to create a richer and heavier style of music. The album opens with the excellent sounding – Lord Deceptor – which captures the seedy 70s Doom Rock environment surprisingly well with elements of Occult Rock spliced with epic amounts of Fuzz Rock. The vocals are rooted in 70s Hard Rock and offer the band a more vintage feel compared to their previous albums.

Second song – Into The Fire – opens with a more powerful Sludge Rock sound and it’s a welcome change with the band becoming that little bit more dangerous and edgier as well. The riffs are plentiful and powerful with Holy Serpent biding their time in playing their trademark Psychedelic Stoner Rock vibes. The song is more progressive than you initially would expect and allows Holy Serpent to experiment with their music. The vocals feel distant in places but have an emotional core to them that I didn’t expect. The lyrics are superb and give this song and perhaps bring the album truly to life.

Third song – Daughter Of The Light – is perhaps the gloomiest and doom based offering on the album as the whole environment becomes bleaker as a result. The dark vocals have a sinister to feel to them but it’s the music that impresses the most. As Holy Serpent bring a more subtle feeling to their hybrid Psych/Fuzz/Stoner/Doom Rock sound. One of the standout songs on the album.

Fourth song – Hourglass – is a love letter to the classic 70s Doom Rock/Metal scene as Holy Serpent play some epic Black Sabbath riffs on the album and leave you with wanting more with moments of modern sounding Fuzz Rock grooves being added for dark and twisted measure.

The remaining 2 songs – For No One and Marijuana Trench – have a more Stoner Rock approach with the Heavy Psychedelic sound still being the main driving force for Holy Serpent to build their music from. Marijuana Trench is the best song on the album and it’s a great song to end the album with.

Endless is a fantastic sounding album and everything sounds perfectly creepy from start to finish. This is perhaps Holy Serpent’s best sounding and most mature album to date. If you’re new to the world of Holy Serpent then this album is the best place to start. If you’re a long time fan of the band then you’re going to love it like I did.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Dave at US/THEM PR for the promo. Endless will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via RidingEasy Records from October 18^th 2019.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp