Hazemind - Inner Sanctum (Album Review)

Release Date: September 04th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Inner Sanctum - Tracklist

1.Burning Fuel 06:06

2.Mountain 07:35

3.Hellfire 06:40

4.Welcome To The Void 04:44

5.Broken Ropes 04:51

6.Interruption 00:42

7.When The Leader Speaks 07:04

8.The Shell (Part 1: On The Edge) 05:47

9.The Shell (Part 2: Into The Madness) 03:20

Members

Mathieu Pelletier - Bass

René "Bits" Hosson - Drums

Elliot Cadieux - Guitars

Jonathan Lachapelle - Vocals

Review

Inner Sanctum is the debut album from Stoner Metallers Hazemind which is a classic mix of aggressive melodies and subtle fuzz rock attitude. There’s a great Doom Rock aspect that appears from the very start with Hazemind creating fast-paced sounds with an excellent backdrop of Stoner Rock/Metal mechanics that is easily fused to some classic Heavy Rock and Desert Rock themes.

Jonathan Lachapelle’s vocals have a great throwback quality to them with them filled with vibes from the Nineties Grunge, Psych and Stoner Metal scenes. The rest of the band apply a great level of Psychedelic and Progressive based passages which should have fans of bands such as Howling Giant, KYUSS, FU MANCHU and Truckfighters on the edge of their seats. There is a trippy and psychedelic vibe which becomes more dominant from the excellent second track Mountain with some subtle musical change over to a heavier level of Doomed Out Rock. 

There’s some mighty fine interplay between the Grungier aspects that comes across superbly well from the epic guitars played by Elliot Cadieux. Though, he’s supported brilliantly by the storming rhythm section of Mathieu Pelletier (Bass) and René "Bits" Hosson (Drums) who perhaps have a subtle HEAVY METAL attitude for the way they deliver their music.

Certain sections of the record are quite intense with that Scorched Desert Rock attitude forming on the tracks Mountain, Hellfire, Welcome To The Void, and When The Leader Speaks. As the lyrics have a highly confident atmospheric nature to them. Hazemind approaches their “destructive” and "atmospheric" melodies with real cold hearted efficiency which gives their music a more deceiving style of pure raw heaviness. 

Inner Sanctum does have that raw and stripped back sound mostly heard within the sublime production values that gives Hazemind a heavier presence within the later stages of the album. This is a debut packed full of great tunes which allows Hazemind to fully announce their arrival within the Doom/Stoner Metal underground scene and perhaps make a name for themselves in no time at all.

If you want an album that stays true to the classic essence of Stoner Rock/Metal and have some brief excursions into other areas of Heavy Rock then Hazemind are the band for you!!!

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

New Jersey's SHOVELHEAD Return After 19 Years to Unveil Video Single "Witching Hour" Off Upcoming Album!

New Jersey's obscure Stoner Rock titans SHOVELHEAD return after 19 years, hauling in a heavyweight truckload of polished tracks on new album ‘A Place of Dead Roads’. Kicking up the dust on new jams starts right with the first track and video single of "Witching Hour."

Since forming in the early 90s, SHOVELHEAD (originally The Lemmings) has been at the vanguard of the groundbreaking New Jersey scene that produced underground heavy rock goliaths such as Monster Magnet, The Atomic Bitchwax, Solace, Halfway To Gone, Core, and Solarized.

Alongside other pioneering bands that helped lay the foundation for the coveted genre we know as Stoner Rock, SHOVELHEAD began crafting their sound before the genre had fully formed, resulting in a distinctive style of Stoner Rock N’ Roll that has served the scene for over three decades. During their initial run, three regionally notorious SHOVELHEAD albums (and one Lemmings album) were released, and at this point the titanic number of shows played is uncountable.

SHOVELHEAD decelerated in the late 2010s, along with the majority of planet Earth, but is back to full open throttle in 2026. Founding members Mike Scott and Jim LaPointe (also a contributor to Black NASA’s ‘Deuce’ album and live performer with the band) fused with George Pierro (Solarized, Maegashira, Tarpit Boogie) to resume playing shows, writing fresh tunes, and recording a new album.

'A Place of Dead Roads' is due out through independent release on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The heavy power trio self-produced the new full-length, with recording, mixing, and mastering all handled by George Pierro. Our introduction to the album is by way of its opening track, "Witching Hour," available for streaming on Bandcamp, and don't miss out on the official video below!

A Place of Dead Roads - Tracklist:

01. Witching Hour
02. Tempest
03. Dominion/Big Tex
04. Ghost in the Garden
05. Middle Man
06. White Stag Ghost
07. Bombers

To celebrate the release of 'A Place of Dead Roads', the band has a Record Release show with SHUT UP and BLACK HORSE PIKE in Jackson, New Jersey.

Everyone can pre-order 'A Place of Dead Roads' from SHOVELHEAD on their Bandcamp page right now:

https://shovelheadnj.bandcamp.com/

Witching Hour (Official Video) by SHOVELHEAD

Video Production & Editing by George Pierro.

T.R.O.G. - The Race of Gentleman footage was shot and provided by: / @bigblockautomobilia3895

“Best rock band in Jersey......a well-kept secret of that scene.” - The Obelisk

“Those in-the-know, KNOW that SHOVELHEAD is one of Jersey’s best kept heavy rock secrets. Those that don’t know, SHOULD KNOW!” - Tommy Southard, Solace

SHOVELHEAD is:

Jim LaPointe - Vocals, Guitar
Mike Scott - Drums
George Pierro - Bass

SEE SHOVELHEAD LIVE:

Sept. 12 Jackson, NJ - Shovelhead Record Release Show w/ Shut Up & Black Horse Pike
Sept. 25 - Vineland, NJ - w/ Meatplow & Dreadstrar
Oct. 04 - Manahawkin, NJ - w/ Dying Light

Links

https://shovelheadnj.bandcamp.com/
https://linktr.ee/ShovelheadNJ
https://www.youtube.com/@theoriginalShovelhead
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2pIndavttdvGqKlHdVQp3L
https://intothevoidmerchco.com/collections/shovelhead
https://www.facebook.com/people/Shovelhead/100061003818946/
https://www.instagram.com/shovelheadnj

Thanks to Mettle Media PR for the details.

STUIK - In Sanity (Album Review)

Release Date: August 28th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

In Sanity - Tracklist

All The Fuzz

Feel Alive

Foolishness

Roots

Stilted

Loosen The Noose

Laughter

In Sanity We Trust

Lucid Haze

Alone and Alive

Members

Jana Dutohlav on bass and vocals

Pieter Houben (ex-Splendidula) on guitar and vocals

David Vandegoor (ex-Moshlim, ex-Splendidula) on guitar

Patrick Vanderhenst (ex-Solenoid, ex-Splendidula) on drums.

Review

In Sanity is the debut album from Doom/Sludge Stoner Metallers STUIK who are formed with ex-members of Splendidula and Solenoid with the band influenced by the likes of Red Fang, Mastodon and KYUSS but with a gloomier Alt Rock sound. The mood is quite different to Splendidula and Solenoid but they do keep similar gloomier themes on their debut album but with more focus on a great way of delivering intense and stripped back riffs. 

STUIK employ similar Progressive melodies used by the likes of Mastodon and Baroness but break out into different Psychedelic passages with KYUSS being a great influence for the band to weave that gloomy Desert/Stoner Rock sound into the mix. The use of subtle Hard Rock, Punk and Sludge Rock dimensions is applied very early on within the album on tracks such as All The Fuzz, Feel Alive and Foolishness.

There are moments of DOOM & GLOOM and Shoegaze vibes emerging within the emotionally charged vocals that are delivered by Pieter Houben and Jana Dutohlav that form a winning combination when they both appear on the same track(s) contained on the album.

With a melodic backdrop of slow-paced grooves being used sparingly and to great effect before STUIK channel that modern day Progressive Sludge/Stoner Rock into a faster style of music that gives complete focus for the band to play heavier sounds and write emotionally charged vocals to match. The whole thing never feels forced and STUIK never outstay their welcome as they develop some intriguing and well-constructed songs throughout which allows them to play aggressive soundscapes with a thumping metallic energy.

STUIK becomes ever more confident with each passing track as the harsh Desert Rock environment allows the listener to front and centre of the action on tracks such as Roots, Stilted, Loosen The Noose, In Sanity We Trust and ‘Alone and Alive’. There’s a great style of Post-Doom and Psychedelic heaviness that appear within these tracks that makes you feel that STUIK have been around for yours and not delivering their debut album.

The later stages of In Sanity does have a distinct Grunge appearance that gives this album a seedy tone whilst elevating the FUZZIER and PUNK sounds to become the most soulful of the record. STUIK could have played some faster based grooves and melodies within the quieter moments of the album. However, I understand why they took this creative choice and it does perhaps give the album a more satisfying and emotional conclusion.

STUIK have still managed to deliver a superbly realized debut album that should no doubt allow them to make a great impression within the Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal scene. In Sanity is an unexpected sludgy and doomed out delight from beginning to end.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Official | Facebook | Spotify | Apple Music

Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin Announce First New Music Since 2020 With Details Of Upcoming New Album

Photo by Cara Justice

On October 2, 2026 Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin return with “ Bash ” , the first single from their self-titled sophomore album, due December 18, 2026  through Black Throne Productions. The new material brings the band’s reverb-heavy guitars and desert-road songwriting back into focus after more than five years away from their debut album “Misty Woman”.

Pre-orders for both the new album and the third repress of “Misty Woman” will open alongside the single.

The band’s sound sits somewhere between the open-road guitar work of The Ventures, the heavier side of Dead Meadow and the blues-inspired approach of All Them Witches. Spring reverb, roomy drums and guitars that leave some air around the notes are central to ACC’s formula. The surf-inspired songs are built for long drives, empty roads and getting away from town for a while.

Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin was formed in 2017 by Brennan Justice, Anthony DeFreitas and Jeremy Luvaas. After releasing Misty Woman, the three members dispersed and did not see each other face-to-face for more than five years. The band returned in late 2025 with their first repressing of “ Misty Woman”  through Black Throne Productions. The first repress sold out, leading to two additional vinyl runs and the first ever pressing of Mud Room #13 which included a previously unreleased bonus track “Narwhal”.

The new album was recorded and mixed by Brennan Justice at Camp Verde, Arizona, with mastering handled by JJ Golden. Its Southwestern setting is fitting for a band whose music has always been tied to California coastlines, desert roads, mountains and summer heat.

The band has already taken its music well outside Southern California. Their catalog has appeared in Shameless, Thrasher and Flip Skateboards projects, Vans-related events, several mountain-bike films and a placement in commercials for Indian Motorcycles. Additionally, Mud Room #13 was named one of El Coyote’s top EPs of 2019.

“ Bash “ arrives October 2, 2026 along with both pre-orders for the self-titled album and the third pressing of “ Misty Woman”.

For fans of: All Them Witches, The Ventures, Dead Meadow
Recorded/mixed by: Brennan Justice, Camp Verde, Arizona
Mastered by: JJ Golden
Label: Black Throne Productions

BIO:

Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin is a San Diego-based psychedelic desert rock trio whose music blends reverb-soaked guitars, haunting melodies, and heavy blues-driven rhythms into a sound that evokes the dark California desert on a warm summer night. Formed in 2017 by Brennan Justice (guitar, lead vocals), Anthony DeFreitas (bass, vocals), and Jeremy Luvaas (drums, percussion), the band creates cinematic rock inspired by dusty highways, coastal sunsets, and the surreal landscapes of the American Southwest. Their name originated from a fictional 1970s murder mystery imagined during a late-night conversation, capturing the strange, mysterious, and heavy character that continues to define the band.

Emerging from the remnants of a surf-rock project, Justice and DeFreitas began recording in a San Diego garage with minimal equipment and a raw, lo-fi approach that prioritized creativity over polished production. Early releases including Cabin Fever and Mud Room #13 helped establish a sound influenced by Dead Meadow, The Ventures, and All Them Witches. With Luvaas joining on drums, the band's sound expanded into what would become its debut full-length, Misty Woman, recorded in Austin, Texas at Electric Deluxe Recorders with producer Adrian Quesada.

Now, Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin returns with its self-titled sophomore full-length album - the band's first full release of new music since Misty Woman in February 2020. Self-recorded by Brennan Justice in Camp Verde, Arizona and mastered by JJ Golden, the album is deeply rooted in the band's desert-rock identity while showcasing the melodic, cinematic, surf-influenced qualities that give Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin an audience beyond traditional heavy psych. The new record marks a long-awaited return fueled by continued demand from the band's worldwide fanbase.

Find Aunt Cynthia’s Cabin Here:

Spotify: https://spotify.link/OHhzUB1gOXb
BandCamp: https://auntcynthiascabin.bandcamp.com
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/aunt-cynthias-cabin/1351437121
Qobuz: https://open.qobuz.com/artist/9849997
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntcynthiascabin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auntcynthiascabin/
Merch: https://auntcynthiascabin.printful.me
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC61wjDcx2Jiqs_Hsds4trPw

Thanks to Black Throne Productions for the details.

Fallen Letters - A Familiar Absence (Single Review)

Release Date: July 09th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Released. Format: DD

A Familiar Absence - Tracklist

A Familiar Absence

Members

Vocals / Guitars / Synths – Vishal Naidu

Guitars – Aditya Ramesh

Bass – Abhay

Drums – Mukund

Review

Progressive Metallers Fallen Letters blend Prog, Psych, Post-Metal and Alt-Metal into a myriad of different styles that calls upon the likes of OPETH, KATATONIA and Deftones. The band originate from Bangalore, India but on their latest track A Familiar Absence you would think they’re from the Scandinavian or American Metal scenes. As they have quite a highly polished and superbly realized sound that marries the Extreme Metal and Underground Metal worlds superbly well.

The vocals move between Death Growls and Doom Metal surroundings with a violent undercurrent of Thrash and Death Metal appearing the background. The subtle switch to different areas of rock and metal serves Fallen Letters amazingly well. Their 2025 album Mindfractures has a different sound to this track which perhaps allows the band to be quite grounded and progressive with their music. Their sound is quite abstract with small waves of Prog Rock, Psych Rock and modern day Doom transforming into fast-paced and intense instrumental melodies. 

The majority of music that I’ve experienced from the Indian Heavy Metal underground scene has been limited down to a great mix of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal bands but I was mighty impressed from what I’ve heard from Fallen Letters with their recent album and their latest track A Familiar Absence. It may take a few listens to fully get accustomed to Fallen Letters' way of delivering pounding grooves but it’s a journey worth taking time and time again. 

A Familiar Absence is a great track for the band to introduce themselves with that ultimately leaves you wanting to hear more.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Fuzz Voyage - Volts = Amps x Ohms (Demo) (Single Review)

Release Date: August 24th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Volts = Amps x Ohms (Demo) - Tracklist

Volts = Amps x Ohms (Demo)

Members

Guitar: Dar Stellabotta

Drums: Diego Cartulin

Bass: Boris Baltodano

Review

Volts = Amps x Ohms (Demo) is the latest single from FUZZ VOYAGE which is also a collaborative piece from Heavy Haze Audio Lab in Trujilo, Peru and Carcass John Fossum Art. This is explained below by the band themselves:

“This release is a collaboration with Heavy Haze Audio Lab in Trujilo, Peru and Carcass John Fossum Art. Without these guys this track would have never came to life and for them I am grateful to tell you of this new release.”

The track itself is an almost ten minute journey into the fuzzier and spaced out side of the Doom/Stoner Rock landscape. The song is purely instrumental but still offers an engaging and highly psychedelic experience with FUZZ VOYAGE including elements of Space Rock, Fuzz and Desert Rock. The song has a great balance of HEAVY vs QUIET dynamics which sees the song dramatically shift into heavier areas of Stoner Rock/Metal.

You can hear echoes and sounds from the likes of Yawning Man, Karma To Burn, Earthless and Monkey3 but with FUZZ VOYAGE adding that layer of distorted Doomed Out attitude especially within the first half of the song. The later stages of the song stays are perhaps more subdued with a great style of Post-Rock and Ambient Rock still allowing FUZZ VOYAGE to develop an eerie style of cinematic music.

Volts = Amps x Ohms (Demo) is an exquisite song and I’m hoping there’s more to come from FUZZ VOYAGE as this track feels like the band have some unfinished business but you can’t deny how great the excellent grooves and fuzzy spaced out soundscapes that are played here. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

ZEMETRAS - ZEMETRAS (Album Review)

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

ZEMETRAS - Tracklist

1.Kto Vie Viac o Smrti 05:40

2.Misky Váh 05:27

 3.Ruky od Krvi 06:36

4.Skús Nezabudnúť 05:44

5.Beda Mi 01:50

6.Soľ a Prach 05:03

7.Súd 05:38

Members

Lukas - guitar / founder

Miyia – bass guitar

Adela – vocals

Vanes – drums

Martin – second guitar

Review

ZEMETRAS self titled debut album is drenched in fuzz, distortion and grimy Psychedelic energy which channels an epic style of modern Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal sounds that have a haunting and tortured delivery to them. Taking inspiration from the likes of Windhand, Electric Wizard, Monolord and YOB this record has ZEMETRAS singing in their native Slovak language which doesn’t diminish the whole emotionally charged journey of the album at all.

ZEMETRAS have added the English Song Titles and lyrics over on their BandCamp Page which I read whilst listening to the album. That was quite a surreal experience as the lyrics gives you a deeper and personal insight into what the band are actually saying especially within the excellent opening track Kto Vie Viac o Smrti (Who Knows More Of Death). The music is superb with ZEMETRAS developing and playing aggressive slabs of FUZZED OUT DOOM with that massive wall of Amplified Sound that cause minor damage to your hearing.

ZEMETRAS play their music with a committed style of LOW & SLOW based delivery which allows an aggressive level of melody of rhythm to be played with small areas of progressive attitude to form in the background. The excellent vocals from Adela are very full on with a dedicated gritty performance throughout the whole journey.

There’s a violent sense of distorted sounds being broken down into individual pieces of psychedelic energy which has a sudden shift into Sludge Rock/Metal which allows ZEMETRAS to experiment with their music multiple times and still sound remarkably fresh on tracks such as: Misky Váh, Ruky od Krvi, Skús Nezabudnúť, Soľ a Prach and Súd.

ZEMETRAS are not afraid to apply Post-Doom and Psychedelic soundscapes into their music that offers a cerebral Spaced Out attitude on the later stages of the record. There’s some excellent instrumental solos where you feel ZEMETRAS have studied the modern Heavy Rock underground scene thoroughly and taken the best aspects before changing into their own musical image. It’s a bold strategy that pays off huge dividends for ZEMETRAS as there’s some wonderful cinematic sounding grooves where the music becomes even deceptively heavier which left me mightily impressed. 

This is a must have record for the committed Doom/Stoner Metal fan who love their music full of FUZZED OUT attitude with violent outbursts of DISTORTED energy dictating the whole musical journey that will leave you wholly satisfied and brilliantly at peace with the world.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

The Headless - Cast Into The Firmament (Single Review)

Release Date: August 11th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Cast into the Firmament - Tracklist

Cast Into The Firmament

Members

Andy Lenox — vocals, guitar, keys, production, visuals

Gary Behling — guitar, vocals, keys

Phil Danne — bass

Jay Gauthier — drums, photography, video

Review

Cast Into The Firmament is the latest single from Alt-Metal/Shoegaze Metallers The Headless who make music similar to the likes of HUM, SOM, Failure and Superheaven. However, there’s a lot more depth to The Headless as they channel sounds inspired by Faith No More and Baroness. The music is quite euphoric with a gloomy Grunge and Space Rock aspect emerging when you least expect it.

Joining The Headless on this cosmic journey is Madison McConnell of War on the Horizon fame who provides excellent low-key and emotionally engaging vocals. The Headless have said there’s a hidden easter egg hidden within their music the band are leaving for the listeners to fully decode. Well, I can’t say what the Easter Egg is and that’s perhaps a mystery unsolved by myself though I’m happy to be told what this is. As this gives the song quite a clever and mysterious quality which you don’t really come across.

The Headless transform into Post-Doom explorers on the later stages of the track which feels like HUM jamming with THE CURE. The song is mostly melodic with it’s ethereal Post-Rock sound but when The Headless move over into their aggressive Alt-Metal identity then some heavy grooves are played out of nowhere which has a slight Sludge Rock menace to them.

Cast Into The Firmament is a great track bursting with real progressive ability which fans of the Grunge, Doomgaze and Alt Metal communities will absolutely adore. I’m not sure if The Headless have an EP or full length album being prepped for future release but I’m highly intrigued and slightly a little bit excited on where they go from here.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

The Home - The Home (EP Review)

Release Date: August 15th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

The Home - Tracklist

1.Disguise 04:25

2.Beyond It All 04:25

3.Leech 04:50

Members

Vocals - LJ Brazil

Guitar + Additional Instruments - Lewis Barnes

Drums - John Mclean

Review

Alternative/Sludge/Stoner Metallers The Home self-titled debut EP is quite an intriguing record with the band playing stripped back sounds that merge modern day Sludge Rock/Metal grooves against a classic Fuzz, Doom and Proto-Metal energy. The vocals are quite different with lead vocalist LJ Brazil performing in areas of Classic Doom, Hard Rock, Stoner Metal and even a great experimental style which has a slight Mike Patton influence.

The EP lasts under fourteen minutes but The Home creates some stirring grooves powered by elements of Alt Metal within the flashier aspects that appear throughout. There’s even traces of Soul, Funk and Blues Rock hidden amongst the Doom & Gloom melodies which provides a brutal style of amplified Sludge Rock/Metal on tracks Disguise and Beyond It All.

They’re not the finished article by no means but they have a great sound of their own making which can be quite freaky, outlandish and superbly progressive. The final track Leech allows The Home to prove they have some unfinished business for their next release as it does feel open ended where you’re expecting a massive instrumental riff to power through.

This is a great record for The Home to introduce themselves with as they do generate some HEAVY SOUNDING moments throughout and the production values ain’t half bad either. Some of the musical ideas don’t fully succeed but I’m quite excited to see what The Home delivers next.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

BandCamp | Instagram