THE MON - Songs Of Abandon (Album Review)

Release Date: November 07th 2025. Record Label: Supernatural Cat. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Songs Of Abandon - Tracklisting

1.Smiling Dog 02:18

2.Two Stones 03:54

3.The Hidden Ghost 05:08

4.Hourglass 03:22

5.The Moon And The Devil 03:25

6.Mayhem 03:22

7.Little Bird 03:33

8.The Fluorescent Sand 02:31

9.Beautiful Star 04:10

10.Your Eyes 03:26

Lineup

Urlo - Everything

Review

Drone/Doom/Ambient artist THE MON is back with their new album Songs Of Abandon which is the first part of "Embrace The Abandon" which is a two-chapter journey that explores loss and rebirth. For folks not in the know, THE MON is the solo project of Urlo (Bass/Vocals) from the legendary Doom Metallers UFOMAMMUT. This project is about as far as you can possibly get from UFOMAMMUT with Urlo exploring musical genres such as Drone, Ambient, Americana, Folk, Electronica and Alternative Sounds.

Songs Of Abandon is a gloomy experience with THE MON creating a minimal and solitary experience that’s full of emotional wonder with Urlo’s tender vocals set against his Post-Doom instrumental surroundings and subtle Ambient effects. There is a lovely and affectionate style of melody that develops very early on from the opening tracks of Smiling Dog and Two Stones which can be quite carefree and influenced by the dark sounds of the Sixties and Seventies rock scene.

This is quite a different affair compared to THE MON’s 2023 critically acclaimed album THE EYE as Urlo is doing everything himself here where THE EYE had major guest contributions from the likes of Steve Von Till (Neurosis), Colin H. Van Eeckhout (Amenra),Sarah Pendleton (Subrosa, The Otolith) and David W. (White Hills). Songs Of Abandon allows THE MON to go back closer to their earlier releases but still maintaining a similar style heard on THE EYE.

The music is quite experimental and brilliantly therapeutic especially within the standout third track The Hidden Ghost which has a grounded Country/Americana approach whilst adding Post-Doom and Drone based movements within the darker aspects of the track. Urlo’s vocals are earnest and superbly real that offer a stark contrast to his work with UFOMAMMUT. The song works best when the Drone aspect takes charge in the later stages as this album ventures briefly into the domain of Psych Rock and Space Rock soundscapes.

The haunting fourth track Hourglass explores that Space Rock angle for the first few seconds before settling upon an excellent style of Acoustic Doom groove with Urlo’s vocals being its most daring and remarkably honest with some experimental background vocals giving it an outlandish quality. The subtle flashes of semi-acoustic Psychedelic sounds once again twists the creative narrative where you begin to notice the smaller things being played in the background. As this is a superbly realized multi-layered track that will surprise you of how it ultimately plays out and changes the course for the rest of the album.

Songs Of Abandon flirts with a vivid assortment of different musical styles that are constantly evolving which makes this one of the most unique and engaging solo albums I’ve heard in quite some time and THE MON keeps on delivering songs of real beauty and quality especially on tracks such as The Moon And The Devil, Mayhem and Little Bird. However, THE MON still offers moments of intense DOOM & GLOOM quality which gives an unsettling feeling at times but the sheer cinematic and emotional scope that Urlo fully commits himself to is a joy to behold.

The songwriting on the album is simply magnificent and so is Urlo’s musical abilities which once again showcases a different side to his work on UFOMAMMUT. The album becomes quite adventurous with flashes of Post-Rock and Gothic Doom that surprised me in many different ways which appear on tracks Mayhem and Little Bird developing into hazy areas of trippy psychedelics that left me wanting more.

Songs Of Abandon is an absolutely exquisite record that shows how THE MON are at the top of their game with their most deeply rewarding and brilliantly engaging record to date. I can’t wait to hear part two to see where this extraordinary journey takes me. Until then, Songs Of Abandon is a record you all need to experience as soon as possible.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to THE MON for the promo.

Songs Of Abandon is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Supernatural Cat.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Bear, Man Dangerous - When We Cease To Understand The World (Single Review)

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

When We Cease To Understand The World - Tracklisting

When We Cease To Understand The World

Review

When We Cease To Understand The World is the latest chapter from Metal Experimental Collective Bear, Man Dangerous who I’ve featured on the blog a number of times now. If you’re new to their musical world then I’ll break it down for you what kind of music they actually play. Well, that’s very hard to describe as they crossover into areas of Psych, Punk, Stoner, Hardcore, Noise, Sludge, Americana and other weird elements into one fully cohesive style of music.

This track is one that’s built on Shoegaze, Psych, Post-Doom and Sludge Rock with an intense Noise Rock atmosphere. The music is very stripped back giving Bear, Man Dangerous and air of authenticity to their music especially when they talk about the current political landscape going on within the whole world. The music can be quite abstract and one that offers no answers at all. The added use of HARSH sound effects that’s spliced within the Ambient / Noise Rock structure make sure this track won’t be for everyone and is perhaps suited mostly for the Experimental Rock crowd.

For me personally, this is another excellent track from Bear, Man Dangerous and may perhaps offer as the perfect introduction to casual listeners into the band’s impressive discography.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

BASK - The Turning (Album Review)

Release Date: August 22nd 2025. Record Label: Season Of Mist Records. Formats: CD.DD/Vinyl

The Turning - Tracklisting

1.Chasm

2.In the Heat of the Dying Sun

3.The Traveler 

4.The Cloth

5.Dig My Heels 

6.Unwound

7.Long Lost Light 

8.The Turning

Members

Recording Line-Up:

-Scott Middleton

-Jesse Van Note

-Ray Worth

-Zeb Wright

-Jed Willis

Guest Musicians:

-Clay White - trumpet

-Franklin Keel - cello

-Alex Taub - piano, Hammond b3

Review

The Turning is the eagerly awaited fourth album from Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers BASK which sees the band return after a six year absence with new material. This has been well worth the wait with BASK generating their own style of Progressive leaning Stoner Rock sound that sees their trademark use of Country, Americana, Space Rock and Blues Rock based harmonies being given a heavier Sludge Rock/Metal makeover influenced by the likes of MASTODON and BARONESS.

There’s also a chilling sense of Post-Doom and Post-Metal melodies that develops within the more abrasive and violent sounds that sees BASK venture out for the very first time in some places. Though, the classic early Americana themes that made BASK such a force to be reckoned with are never too far behind. Throw in a subtle mix of Prog Rock, Folk Rock and Cosmic Rock grooves which allows The Turning to be very hard to categorize and define at times.

This is also one of the albums and possibly BASK’s greatest strengths as you’re not sure what to expect with each passing song. Did you ever wonder what Heavy Spaced Out Doom would sound like when merged with Country, Southern Rock and Americana passages. Well, the answer is perfectly captured here on superbly constructed and brilliantly played tracks such as In The Heat Of The Dying Sun, The Traveler, Dig My Heels and Unwound being some of the best material that BASK have written to date.

Their music is constantly evolving but still showing a thrilling and adventurous creative attitude with BASK not afraid to add even more elements of music such as Post-Rock, Ambient Melodies and Shoegaze which is brought to life with their epic use of different instruments throughout the album. The record can be quite ROOTS based with the “TWANGY” instrumental movements but it’s kept within the areas of Sludge/Stoner Metal with BASK never afraid to experiment at the most crucial moment which transfers this record into MONOLITHIC and INTERDIMENSIONAL SPACE GOAT territory. 

With a range of diverse influences such as Mastodon, Baroness, Elder, Hawkwind, All Them Witches and King Buffalo with BASK even forging and creating their unique style of Heavy Psychedelic music of the highest order. What also makes them stand out is how the band brings a classic EVERYMAN level of storytelling into their cinematic adventure. The lyrics are quite hopeful and brilliantly insightful even when the music takes a daring and apocalyptic turn.

The Turning is an emotionally charged record of the highest order with BASK firmly establishing themselves as one of the most unique and original voices within the modern day Psych Stoner Rock/Metal scene. This is a record of REAL QUALITY and can easily be considered one of the best Psychedelic Rock albums of the year.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Season Of Mist for the promo.

The Turning is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Season Of Mist.

Links

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bask/209266263
Bandcamp: https://basknc.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/basknc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baskband/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebandbask

Dee Calhoun - Angry Old Man (Album Review)

Release Date: July 18th 2025. Record Label: Black Doomba Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Angry Old Man - Tracklisting

1.A Last Cold Kiss 05:04 video

2.Angry Old Man 05:56

3.Voodoo Queen 05:04

4.A Piece From The Shoulder 05:44

5.Rise Up To March 04:15

6.Give Up The Ghost 04:20

7.VVitch (A Chant) 05:24

8.K*ll A M*ther F*cker 05:18

9.The Damned Human Race 08:27

Members

Dee Calhoun - Everything

Review

Dee Calhoun is back with his latest solo album Angry Old Man and for the uninitiated, Dee is considered a bit of a legend within the underground Doom Metal scene thanks to his stints with the legendary band IRON MAN and the excellent Spiral Grave. Dee Calhoun has been focusing upon his solo records for quite some time now blending Americana, Country, Doom, Blues, Stoner and Southern Rock but all told in a highly fashionable Acoustic Rock way.

Dee is also an acclaimed writer over the last few years and he’s got real talent and credibility with how he writes his lyrics that deal with some pretty dark themes even when they branch over into Horror and Fantasy though this record is mostly based on his own observations with the world.

Angry Old Man is quite an in-depth and highly involving record with Dee Calhoun once again used stripped back musical techniques to generate a gloomy and down-trodden atmosphere which some of the most well known figures of the underground scene have used for their own solo material such as WINO and Steve Von Till.

The AMERICANA and DOOMED OUT COUNTRY BLUES is a big aspect on how this album fully moves along at a cracking slow-to-mid pace. The whole record oozes gloomy atmosphere with Dee being quite political throughout but he does offer some superb wry and humorous sly commentary on certain parts of the album.

The music is quite abstract with ghostly sounds and twangy guitars reminding me of Johnny Cash at the best of times especially on tracks such as A Last Cold Kiss, Angry Old Man, Voodoo Queen, Rise Up To The March and K*ll A M*therF*cker. You can detect echoes of other vocalists that have perhaps shaped Dee’s musical knowledge but it’s his forthright confessional style that shows you what a damn fine storyteller Dee has ultimately become. 

Some parts of the album do become DOOM-FOLK obsessed in places but the solitary Americana and Roots based sound keeps things grounded. You can even detect a sense of MONSTER MAGNET gloomy rhymes in certain instrumental melodies that has a slight passing resemblance to the opening intro of SPACE LORD but that could be just me looking way too much into things.

The political message of Angry Old Man runs deep especially with today’s political climate and fucked up turmoil going on in the world and Dee Calhoun becomes more rebellious on the later stages of the record with Dee perhaps taking political cues from Neil Young is no bad thing at all. 

Angry Old Man is another forthright, bleak and outstanding release from Dee Calhoun who is perhaps in the best creative form of his life at the moment and that’s saying something especially with the career that Dee has lived through and ultimately achieved. 

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Exclusive Album Premiere Of Mika Häkki's Stunning Solo New Album Mørker

In the darkest of times you have to look at the dark straight to its core and pick apart the strains and see what makes it tick. ”Mørker” continues on the path that ”Vemod” started. Looking back, looking in and forward. Trying to embrace the darkness while finding your place in it.

”Mørker” was recorded at LÜXFÄLLAN Studios, produced by Kristoffer Ragnstam. All songs written by Mika Häkki, but guests on a few songs were Klas-Henrik Hörngren on keys, Krister Selander on bass and Kristoffer Ragnstam on drums and backing vocals. I’ve really found a great way to work in the studio with Kristoffer Ragnstam that is both creative and fun. Bouncing ideas and trying out different solutions on the go.

Thanks to the kind folks over at Majestic Mountain Records we're excited to premiere the whole album ”Mørker” ahead of it's official release this Friday.

Mørker will be available to buy on digital download via Majestic Mountain Records from Friday 11th April 2025.

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

Mika Häkki - Mørker (Album Review)

Release Date: April 11th 2025. Record Label: Majestic Mountain Records. Formats: DD

Mørker - Tracklisting

1.Take This Light Away 

2.When You're Old

3.Time Stood Still

4.Couch Anthem 

5.Make No Sense

6.Another Reason To Stay

7.Weighted Daze

Members:

Mika Häkki

Review

Mørker is the new album from Mika Häkki better known as the powerhouse bassist from Doom Metal Heavyweights MONOLORD and this is Mika’s second full length album. Mika’s musical style is quite different to his MONOLORD colleagues with a mixture of Heavy Atmospheric sounds and Composed Laidback melodies which showcase a fine style of Classic Rock, Folk, Americana, Country, Psych, Prog and Post-Rock appearing throughout. 

There is a deft touch of Psychedelic and Sonic experimentation within the album with Mika’s superbly Folk-ish vocal style which traverses through the Soft Rock and Hard Rock elements that Mørker expertly handles. The lyrics are quite insightful and hopeful with deep emotional meaning with Mika hitting upon some dark strands of Gloomy based Rock on songs such as Take This Light Away, When You’re Old and Time Stood Still.

Mørker works best when the 1970’s based haunting melodies and experimental Prog Rock sounds merge instances of Americana, Folk and Psych Rock with Mika keeping a sullen guitar sound as his main instrument of choice. It’s to Mika’s credit that everything sounds real and quite organic with a wide range of musical influences being used mostly from the 1970’s and 1980’s Soft Rock scene but there’s still a small murmur of Post-Doom surroundings appearing from time-to-time. 

Mika is joined by the following guest musicians on the record for a few songs: Klas-Henrik Hörngren on keys, Krister Selander on bass and Kristoffer Ragnstam on drums and backing vocals. They all play splendidly especially during the heavier and darker moments of the album with some trippy and heavy hazy sounds that I didn’t expect.

Other standout tracks include: Couch Anthem, Another Reason To Stay and Weighted Daze.

There is a deeper reliance on Progressive sounds especially on Another Reason To Stay and Weighted Daze. Though Mørker has a few hidden surprises throughout with flashes of Distortion and Fuzz being injected into the mix. I’m pretty certain you can hear echoes of Post-Punk and Gothic Rock within Mika’s instrumental delivery at times but that could be an oversight on my behalf, whatever the sound I originally heard, it’s downright original and offers some of the heaviest and freakiest grooves on the album.

Mørker is an absolute delight with Mika firing on all musical cylinders to create an album which is an absolute delight to listen to and showcase a completely different side to his MONOLORD persona. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Sheltered Life and Majestic Mountain Records for the promo.

Mørker will be available to buy on digital download via Majestic Mountain Records from Friday 11th April 2025.

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

Doctor Nez - High Desert Lows (EP Review)

Release Date: November 15th 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

High Desert Lows - Track Listing:

1.MARK THE GRAVE 03:27

2.If You Know the Deal 03:55

3.Left All Alone 05:24

4.Among the Pages 01:58

5.In the Shadow of a Mountain 03:35

6.High Desert Lows 04:20

7.Bonus Track: Left All Alone (Radio Cut) 04:36

Review

High Desert Lows is the second EP from Doom/Desert/Stoner/Alt Rock solo artist Doctor Nez who is perhaps influenced by the old school way of creative thinking from bands such as Black Sabbath, Uncle Acid and Green Lung. What makes Doctor Nez stand out from the crowd is their great use of Alt Rock, Desert Rock and Grunge vibes that’s transformed into a Doomed Out structure.

The sound isn’t the most original but it’s what Doctor Nez delivers with this EP that makes this such a great EP to fully discover. With emotionally charged lyrics and a grandiose style of classic Heavy Metal and Hard Rock to play with that comes into life on the excellent opening tracks of Mark The Grave and You Know The Deal. The vocals veer from a multitude of different styles that can be quite contemporary at times with the hard hitting lyrics that more than most hit the intended target.

The production quality is great but still allows Doctor Nez to add a sublime DIY attitude to the whole EP which is never overdone and allows Doctor Nez to create music which is perhaps more on the emotional side of Doomed Out Stoner Rock. With highly intricate melodies and excellent composition being played on the standout tracks of Left All Alone, In The Shadow Of A Mountain and High Desert Lows, Doctor Nez always finds new ways of playing different styles of music that shouldn’t really work but they really do.

 

It may take listeners a few listens to fully get on board with this EP but it’s a journey worth taking as Doctor Nez writes some damn good tunes along the way. There’s some rough around the edge moments that appear where the songs just suddenly end but maybe that’s the style of music that Doctor Nez ultimately wanted to create and I admire his brave use of Electronica, Country and Post-Rock themes for a more satisfactory journey.

High Desert Lows is a great EP that’s worth giving a damn about…

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBpGEDxF5eI
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2qh3sD6KDa9YcUyJ5FX3Bt?si=3ba8ef39bafd4b9e
Bandcamp: doctornez.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctor_nez/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doctornezmusic

Dee Calhoun - From Under the Smogberry Trees - A Novelty EP (EP Review)

Release Date: August 23rd 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DDl

From Under the Smogberry Trees - A Novelty EP: Tracklisting

1.Taylor's on the NFL Today 04:37

2.Bumpin' Uglies 02:17

3.Off is the Direction... 04:03

4.(She) Learned it from Watchin' a Porn 03:17

5.The Legend of Woke Dolly 03:55

6.Under the Smogberry Trees 03:47

Members

Dee Calhoun - Everything

Review

Doom/Stoner Rock musician Dee Calhoun takes a break away from his usual bleak way of usual storytelling by taking a humorous and sly look at modern day pop culture and mainstream media. The music is still a mix of Americana, Southern Rock, Folk Rock, Boogie Rock and Doom Rock with spiky lyrics that takes aim at the American male stereotype especially on the brilliantly funny opening track of Taylor’s On The NFL Today. 

Even with myself being British or a Limey Prick who has no right commentating on the American way of life but Dee has tapped into the similar type of humour that I’ve seen with the whole Taylor Swift vs NFL Football fan. (Even though in my mind there’s only one real game of FOOTBALL and it’s not the NFL. It’s what you guys call SOCCER - Anyway I digress). The music itself is simply played acoustic jams but it’s the music and Dee’s deadpan serious manner that makes everything stand out. 

The whole EP is delivered within the whole style of Dr Demento Radio Show with perhaps some Weird Al Yankovic influence shining through along the way. Bumpin’ Uglies is another funny little oddity which doesn’t quite work overall but the music was solid enough. The rest of the EP is bang on point with Off Is The Direction and (She) Learned It From Watchin’ A Porn seeing Dee’s real musical identity shining through with his music mostly and dark comedic lyrics perhaps drawing influence from the likes of Bill Hicks and George Carlin with Dee’s commentary on modern day life.

The final two tracks of The Legend Of Woke Dolly and Under The Smogberry Trees expands the Adult Humour which does show a more rebellious side to Dee’s songwriting skills but it’s the instrumental sounds that impress yet again with the music being quite daring, raw and honest that explores the darker style of Americana, Acoustic Rock and Southern Rock grooves.

From Under The Smogberry Trees is silly and downright hilarious entertainment where it’s good to hear Dee Calhoun releasing a different style of music that he’s currently known for. I’m not sure if I could listen to a full record of this and as the EP states within the title, the novelty could quickly wear thin but this is still a superb EP.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp