Gnarwhal - Circuits (Single Review)

Release Date: September 10th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Circuits - Tracklisting

Circuits

Members

Mark Kilbride (vocals)

Benji Straker (guitar and vocals)

Jeremy Straker (bass and vocals)

Layne Rybchinski (drums and percussion)

Review.

Circuits is the latest single from powerhouse Sludge/Stoner Metallers Gnarwhal that is from their upcoming new album due for release in March 2026. The record is a decidedly more progressive song compared to their previous releases. This song is boosted by epic Progressive Sludge sounds with air of Post-Stoner heaviness with the added layers of trippy Psychedelic melodies. Gnarwhal fuses Post-Rock, Doomgaze and Ambient vibes into the backdrop of distorted FUZZY passages. 

There are elements of bands such as BARONESS, MASTODON and YOB spliced into the mix but GNARWHAL still conjure up their own highly powerful and wonderfully polished sound. The vocals are EPIC with a clean, clear and crisp performance by lead vocalist Mark Kilbride. There’s a haunting Alt Metal presence within Mark’s vocals with the rest of the band conjuring up intense Sludge/Stoner grooves that have a subtle riff-centric approach.

On this evidence alone, Gnarwhal have genuinely made me excited to hear their upcoming full length album which could endear them even further to the Sludge/Stoner Metal underground community.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

 

Links

http://gnarwhalband.com

http://facebook.com/gnarmusic
http://instagram.com/gnarwhalsounds
https://gnarwhalband.bandcamp.com

SISTERS - Wings Of Deliverance (Album Review)

Release Date: August 29th 2025. Record Label: Spartan Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Wings Of Deliverance - Tracklisting

1.Wings of Deliverance 01:55 

2.Home Is Where The Heart Is 02:58

3.Peoples Temple 02:22

4.The Angels of Violence 05:02

5.Golden Sunbeams 03:28

6.The Planning Commission 04:29

7.White Night 05:58

8.Death Is A Friend 08:56

Members

Jason Blackmore (Molly McGuire)

Mario Quintero (Spotlights)

Review

Wings Of Deliverance is the second album from Noise/Grunge/Sludge/Post-Punk/Stoner Rock outfit SISTERS who return after a two year absence with a more abrasive, aggressive and sludge based offering. This feels like a different band compared to their 2023 acclaimed debut album Leecheater. SISTERS features Jason Blackmore from Molly McGuire and Mario Quintero from Spotlights with this band featuring many similarities to those great bands but also carving up their own heavy riff driven sound. SISTERS still offer a deep sense of Melodic Rock though you wouldn’t expect this after you experience the delightfully violent and pissed off title track of Wings Of Deliverance. 

This is the nastiest and heaviest track that SISTERS have delivered yet with a highly ambitious take on Industrial Metal with flashes of Post-Punk, Noise Rock and deeply rooted Electronica Beats. The vocals are harsh with a mid nineties/early noughties influence lingering in the background. The instrumental beats move from glitches to full on Electronica beats with a sudden shift into Heavy Power Mechanical Doom that feels like NIN crossing swords with Author & Punisher.

Second track Home Is Where The Heart is continues with the warped Industrial/Sludge grooves but added a melodic Sludge/Stoner Rock flavour that has similarities to TORCHE and RED FANG in places but with SISTERS adding their own distorted level of streetwise attitude and full-on catchy melodies. The vocals from both Jason and Mario are both clean based and in a stark contrast to the opening track. This is the type of music they brilliantly excel at but you’ll still be treated to outbursts of violent  Sludge Metal when the time calls for this.

Third track People’s Temple is another sonic odyssey with SISTERS employing a cool sounding melodic vibe that doesn’t necessarily play it safe with the COMMERCIAL ASPECTS that appear within the whole creative flow of the album. There is an epic nineties Alt Rock attitude with the swirling grunge based guitars and stunning rhythm sections that Mario and Jason equally contribute to. This is where SISTERS start to really hit their creative stride with subtle Psychedelic and Fuzzed mid-tempo changes which lasts the course for the rest of the album.

Songs such as The Angels Of Violence, Golden Sunbeams and The Planning Commission offer a classic Post-Punk attitude with flashes of Post-Rock and Doomed Out passages with SISTERS demonstrating their own great style of music. The lyrics are quite deceptive and observant which adds a mysterious edge to the whole album. I forgot to mention this album is about the following: 

“Wings Of Deliverance tells a chilling narrative about the cult of personality and the horrors of Jim Jones and the Jonestown tragedy”

Despite the harsh subject matter that SISTERS deal with on the record there’s still some uplifting moments told through the groovy melodies that once again remind me of TORCHE in places. However, SISTERS are never too far away to bring the mood to a slightly depressing Post-Punk and Sludge Rock vibe especially on the final two tracks of the record White Night and Death Is A Friend.which brings some moments of Progressive Metal attitude into the mix. 

These two tracks offer the heaviest, hard-hitting and bleakest parts of the album with challenging lyrics and vocal harmonies being added to complicate matters. Though, SISTERS once again play outside of the rules of HEAVY MUSIC to craft something brilliantly original and in their own aggressive image. This allows Wings Of Deliverance to be one of the most thought-provoking and sonically original records within the Alternative Rock/Metal scene (next to MOON DESTROYS and MUSEUM OF LIGHT) you’ll hear this year.

Simply unmissable!!!

Words by Steve Howe

 

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Prophets Of Thwaites - Tharlab (Single Review)

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

Tharlab - Tracklisting

Tharlab

Members

Cosmo Wassenaar -- Drums

Ferry Vermeeren - Bass

Esma Larabi - Guitar & Vocals

Review

Tharlab is the latest single from Doom/Stoner Rockers Prophets Of Thwaites who have been building up a steady collection of haunting tracks since the start of 2025. With their intriguing mix of Doom, Stoner, Grunge, Post-Rock, Shoegaze and Psychedelic elements the band draw upon influences such as WINDHAND, HUM, YOB and FRAYLE. The music is quite slow-moving to begin with before exploring a LOUD WALL OF PSYCHEDELIC NOISE before the song is over. 

However, Prophets Of Thwaites offer moments of and multi-layered Post-Rock/Post-Metal harmonies which is centred around Esma Larabi’s haunting vocals and quietly pitched guitars. 

Cosmo Wassenaar on Drums and Ferry Vermeeren on Bass provide excellent and understated support with an intense backline where they provide a muscular and aggressive presence when the heavy Gloomy FUZZ instances of ATMOSPHERIC DOOM appear. The song taps into the epic form of storytelling with this track lasting over eight minutes with moments of sullen Blues Rock with jazzy interludes of quiet momentum which allows Esma’s vocals to fully shine through.

Tharlab is quite a clever and superbly constructed track with Prophets Of Thwaites masterfully combining the “LIGHT vs DARK” moments of Doomgaze and Stoner Metal with destructive melodies leading the way before everything is said and done.

Prophets Of Thwaites are perhaps playing the long game in releasing their debut release but they do sure have the talent to make themselves known within the underground scene. Check this out when you can as you’ll be surprised at what you’ll hear with the great tracks that Prophets Of Thwaites have released so far.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

Carrion Sky - As Our Hearts Devour Us (Album Review)

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

As Our Hearts Devour Us - Tracklisting

1.The distance within 08:22

2.I seek protectrion 07:05

3.Watch me drown 08:37

4.Dredge the wound 09:48

5.Lost among ourselves 08:37

Members

Marcin Skarzyński - Bass/Synth/Vox

Paweł Zmarlak - Drums/Synth

Dave Killoran - Guitars

Review

As Our Hearts Devour Us is the debut full length album Carrion Sky which is a musical project featuring ex-members from MAJOR KONG and BLACK TUNDRA. This project is dominated by a harsh Post-Metal landscape with Progressive, Ambient and Drone landscapes holding everything together. Carrion Sky rely quite heavily on dramatic synths which gives the record quite an eerie feeling when the band aren’t playing destructive Post-Metal grooves. 

The record is quite soulful with Carrion Sky inspired by the likes Of Pelican, NEUROSIS, ISIS and SUMAC but with a resonating Shoegaze and Alt Metal energy that also has a Cinematic feeling especially on the excellent second track of I Seek Protection Though, the opening track The Distance Within feels like it’s from a different band with Carrion Sky playing a brutal tour-de-force style of Atmospheric Sludge Metal fuelled by destructive harsh vocals from Marcin Skarzyński that brings a nightmarish approach to this part of the album.

Though, for the most part Carrion Sky pushes their way through an avalanche of different Post-Metal themes and haunting Ambient Drone melodies becoming the main way for the band to dictate their music to. The record is dramatically bleak and opaque with the sullen instrumental passages having a gloomy Experimental quality to them with twinges of Industrial Metal and Electronica emerging. 

Third song Watch Me Drown returns to the Post-Metal vortex of the opening track with Carrion Sky injecting moments of long drawn out Post-Doom and Drone Metal effects. There’s a level of despair being played within the music here which has echoes of Neurosis and Cult Of Luna at times. The sound does become Post-Black Metal at times but it’s a thrilling experience to actually listen to.

Carrion Sky continues to experiment with the themes of Ambient Metal, Drone and Post-Metal for the final two tracks Dredge The Wound and Lost Among Ourselves with a deeply fascinating experimental vibe being displayed throughout both tracks. The vocals are intense yet again but it’s the epic music of Marcin, Pawel and Dave that impresses the most. The guys have really done their homework here by studying the complexities and history of the Post-Metal scene to deliver a record that showcases the best parts of the entire scene and still leave room to put their own highly authoritative stamp along the way.

As Our Hearts Devour Us is a stunning record with Carrion Sky showcasing a more primal and brutal sound to emerge from the highly influential Polish underground scene. 

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Alt-Rock/Stoner Metallers Sisters new single “Home Is Where The Heart Is” delivers heavy and melodic rock

Sisters have been carving out their own heavy, melodic world since the release of their debut album Leecheater in 2023 — a record that laid the foundation for their signature sound: raw, riff-driven rock with an unflinching honesty. Now, the duo Jason Blackmore (vocals / guitar / bass / keyboards ) and Mario Quintero (vocals / drums / guitar / keyboards), return with Wings of Deliverance, a darker, more experimental follow-up that examines Blackmore’s fascination with cults, religion, and power structures led through a conceptual exploration of the Jonestown Massacre.

Having set the stage with title track and album opener “Wings of Deliverance,” the duo now enter the next phase with single “Home Is Where The Heart Is.” The track emphasizes Sisters balance of heavy and melodic, as soaring vocals ride over heavy riffs. The track centers on the propaganda and comfort cult leader Jim Jones amplified to his followers, as Blackmore expands:

“Belonging. Unity. Joy. Jim builds a devoted following at his church. These people trust him and feel as if they have finally found a place that they feel safe in. A place they identify with. Home.”

You can listen to “Home Is Where The Heart Is” below:

Wings of Deliverance will release on August 29th through Spartan Records and is available for preorder now.

Both Jason Blackmore and Mario Quintero have a wealth of experience that feeds into Sisters’ unique approach. Blackmore, a founding member of Molly McGuire, a band known for its heavy, emotionally-charged sound, brings years of songwriting experience to the table. Quintero, best known as the guitarist and vocalist for Spotlights, has contributed his technical prowess and musical vision to a band that’s been recognized for its atmospheric, heavy tones. Together, their combined experience in crafting songs for bands with distinct and powerful sounds has shaped Sisters into what it is today.

Wings Of Deliverance tells a chilling narrative about the cult of personality and the horrors of Jim Jones and the Jonestown tragedy. The record explores the devastating consequences of blind faith and how easily minds can be swayed by egomaniacal leaders. Sonically it enacts the floaty heart of Deftones with the experimental energy of Nine Inch Nails, boasting through a combination of alternative metal, industrial, and noise rock. Recorded in Quintero’s basement, the production is raw and exclusive. The album packs depth in both sound and concept, digging deep into the darker corners of the human psyche and delivering Sisters most true to form body of work yet.

Wings Of Deliverance Tracklist:

1. Wings of Deliverance
2. Home Is Where The Heart Is
3. Peoples Temple
4. The Angels of Violence
5. Golden Sunbeams
6. The Planning Commission
7. White Night
8. Death Is A Friend

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thanks to Wordless PR for the details.

Alternative Metal Duo Sisters announce cult concept album Wings of Deliverance out August 29th on Spartan Records

Sisters have been carving out their own heavy, melodic world since the release of their debut album Leecheater in 2023 — a record that laid the foundation for their signature sound: raw, riff-driven rock with an unflinching honesty. Now, the duo Jason Blackmore (vocals / guitar / bass / keyboards ) and Mario Quintero (vocals / drums / guitar / keyboards), return with Wings of Deliverance, a darker, more experimental follow-up that examines Blackmore’s fascination with cults, religion, and power structures led through a conceptual exploration of the Jonestown Massacre.

The premise of the record comes to life in title track and opener “Wings of Deliverance” out now. As Blackmore divulges:

“The beginning. After preaching and holding healing revivals for two years at the Laurel Street Tabernacle Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church, Jim Jones leaves in 1955 and starts his own church.”

The track boasts a noise punk meets industrial electronic sound, setting off with an unhinged scream into a persuasive vocal delivery. The lo-fi video for the song mixes trippy graphics with imagery of Jim Jones and his followers, try not to get brainwashed. You can watch the video HERE and the track will hit streaming services tomorrow.

Wings of Deliverance will release on August 29th through Spartan Records and is available for preorder now.

Both Jason Blackmore and Mario Quintero have a wealth of experience that feeds into Sisters’ unique approach. Blackmore, a founding member of Molly McGuire, a band known for its heavy, emotionally-charged sound, brings years of songwriting experience to the table. Quintero, best known as the guitarist and vocalist for Spotlights, has contributed his technical prowess and musical vision to a band that’s been recognized for its atmospheric, heavy tones. Together, their combined experience in crafting songs for bands with distinct and powerful sounds has shaped Sisters into what it is today.

Wings Of Deliverance tells a chilling narrative about the cult of personality and the horrors of Jim Jones and the Jonestown tragedy. The record explores the devastating consequences of blind faith and how easily minds can be swayed by egomaniacal leaders. Sonically it enacts the floaty heart of Deftones with the experimental energy of Nine Inch Nails, boasting through a combination of alternative metal, industrial, and noise rock. Recorded in Quintero’s basement, the production is raw and exclusive. The album packs depth in both sound and concept, digging deep into the darker corners of the human psyche and delivering Sisters most true to form body of work yet.

Wings Of Deliverance Tracklist:

1. Wings of Deliverance
2. Home Is Where The Heart Is
3. Peoples Temple
4. The Angels of Violence
5. Golden Sunbeams
6. The Planning Commission
7. White Night
8. Death Is A Friend

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Bloodwood - Dark Simulator (Album Review)

Release Date: June 13th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Dark Simulator - Tracklisting

1.Empty Cities 06:43

2.Atomise 02:15

3.The Docks 05:08

4.Phantoms 06:09

5.Airburst 05:24

6.You Won't Hear It When It Happens 04:29

7.From The Inside 04:39

8.Ruliad 05:16

Review

Dark Simulator is the debut album from Aussie Ambient Metallers Bloodwood who express a highly melodic style of Prog Metal with Psychedelic visions that also includes moments of Grunge, Doom, Sludge, Stoner and Alt Metal grooves. The record is quite vast with its multiple styles of haunting Ambient themed Doom and Stoner Metal that sees Bloodwood use similar themes to bands such as ISIS, Mastodon, King Buffalo, Deftones and HUM. The heavy Prog Sludge melodies are quite forward thinking with a brooding atmosphere developing within the overlapping Post-Stoner and Post-Doom landscapes which have an air of SONIC aggression behind them.

The record is constantly melodic with Bloodwood not afraid of diluting the record with strands of Post-Rock attitude which gives Dark Simulator a sense of unexpected calm amongst the trippy Sludge Metal surroundings that have a slight resemblance to ISIS and Mastodon at times. Though, Bloodwood keeps things interesting with their Grunge aspects shining through.

The vocals are mostly clean based with small amounts of HARSH delivery coming through. Bloodwood aren’t afraid to change their creative stance from one of destruction to a slightly hopeful style of redemption in places which gives Dark Simulator a highly unexpected quality with the overall Doomedelic and Ambient tone that fills the whole environment.

Bloodwood cover a lot of musical ground within the albums forty minute runtime with some tracks feeling slightly longer than they actually but that’s a good things with the band including multiple different styles of music that have a cinematic edge to them especially on tracks such as  Empty Cities, The Docks, Phantoms, Airburst and Ruliad.

There’s a lot of sonic experimentation and Ambient interplay with the different musical soundscapes and haunting Post-Rock backdrops that has a deep methodical attitude which can easily the band draw comparisons to bands from the Seventies Prog Rock scene at times but everything becomes modern based when the band inject that violent Sludge Rock/Metal attitude within the opening passages of the excellent opening track Empty Cities.

The production values on Dark Simulator are immense and superbly realised with Bloodwood delivering a highly memorable experience which demands your undivided attention. This is a record of outstanding quality with Bloodwood firing on all cylinders throughout that will leave you wholly satisfied. If you want a similar underground fix to the likes of DOMKRAFT then this is the place to be. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

Flood - Circuit Theory (EP Review)

Release Date: April 25th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Circuit Theory - Tracklisting

1.Now’s The Time! 03:17

2.Boy of War 02:47

3.Perfection in the Design 03:28

4.The Keeping 02:56

Members:

Greg Hooper - Guitar/Vox

Ronzo Farrand - Drums

Emmett Morley - Bass

Review

Circuit Theory is the debut EP from Alt Metal/Sludge Metallers Flood who combines elements of Punk, Grunge, Doom, Stoner and Sludge Metal into a classic and bombastic style of HEAVY METAL within their music. The record has a certain 1990’s Rock/Metal attitude with the band perhaps creating a style of music that could be easily be considered “NU METAL” in places but the great use of Hardcore, Grunge and Sludge Metal allows Flood to create music that always thinks outside of the box.

Imagine RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and NIRVANA joining forces and playing a hybrid style of Grunge and Sludge Metal with Greg Hooper’s vocals perhaps being inspired more by the legendary 90’s scene. The EP itself is an interesting style of music that shouldn’t really work but Flood makes everything work around them with some hard hitting socially aware lyrics being added.

The songs are quite aggressive with fast-paced sludgy rhythms that have a slight DIY quality to them with a wicked STOP / START movement especially on the standout tracks of Now’s The Time! and Perfection In The Design with the EP touching upon the drawbacks of modern day Technology and individuality. The EP is perhaps inspired by The Matrix and Cyberpunk movement for the main storyline and creative themes of the EP which was all the range for sometime back in the late 90’s and early 00’s. 

Circuit Theory is played at a breakneck speed and Flood get everything said and done under thirteen minutes but they have an ARSENAL of intense grooves that demand your full and undivided attention. I wish the EP had a couple more tracks just to make it a more potent experience, however, Flood have delivered the goods here and should gain some attention within the underground Rock/Metal scene. 

Words by Steve Howe

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

TORPEDO TORPEDO - Arrows Of Time (Album Review)

Release Date: March 07th 2025. Record Label: Electric Fire Records. Formats: DD

Arrows OF Time - Tracklisting

1.Calmar 06:03

2.False Gods And Lurid Skies 03:48

3.Ambra 03:49

4.Hell Below 06:54

5.Ubatuba 05:12

6.Templates of Utopia 04:31

7.Fade 05:22

8.Solstice 06:28

 Members

David Hüttner - Vocals/Guitar

Mathias Grether - Bass

Marian Waibl - Drums.

Review

Arrows Of Time is the new album from Psych Stoner Metallers TORPEDO TORPEDO who combine Heavy Psych, Space Rock, Blues Rock, Post-Rock and even small elements of Indie Rock. The sound is quite vivid with a haunting cinematic score leading the way. The band can easily be compared to the likes of ELDER, WEEDPECKER and King Buffalo in places with how they blend their style of Post-Stoner melodies into heavier areas of music though TORPEDO TORPEDO employ instances of Alt Rock and Post-Grunge into their music which makes a welcome appearance very early with the opening tracks of Calmar and False Gods and Lurid Skies.

TORPEDO TORPEDO excel the most when they merge sounds from different eras of music to a heavier style. One moment you could be listening to sounds inspired by the 1980’s and 1990’s before the band transports you to the modern day Sludge Rock/Stoner Metal landscape where everything is more aggressive and quite chaotic at times. 

However, TOIRPEDO TORPEDO focus mostly on their melodic and free flowing style of Heavy Psychedelia that allows the band to bring other areas of music for a sudden shift in Cosmic Doom and Space Rock dynamics especially on tracks such as Ambra, Hell Below and Templates Of Utopia.

The instrumental work laid down by TORPEDO TORPEDO is simply stunning with David Hüttner’s crushing guitars that allows the powerful rhythm section of Mathias Grether on bass and Marian Waibl on drums to generate a ton of heavy sounding progressive grooves that leave quite the impression especially on the later stages of Arrows Of Time.

The album cover for Arrows Of Time is excellent but can be quite deceiving at times. As this only gives you a brief glimpse on what you actually experience when listening to the album. The vocals from David Hüttner are not your typical style you would hear for a Stoner Rock/Metal record. David's vocals feel inspired by the more commercial Indie Rock scene but that’s no bad thing with the vocals being one of the best parts of the whole album. 

Overall, Arrows Of Time is an action packed release with a highly original and intriguing story to tell which is powered along by epic slabs of Progressive Stoner Metal that leaves you wanting to hear more. TORPEDO TORPEDO have delivered the goods with this record. If you want an album with BRAINS and BRAWN to match then you’re in the right place with Arrows Of Time.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

 

Facebook | BandCamp