Progressive heavy rockers BIG SCENIC NOWHERE share first single off new album "The Waydown", out February 2nd on Heavy Psych Sounds.

West Coast-based progressive heavy rock project BIG SCENIC NOWHERE (with members of Yawning Man, Fu Manchu and Mos Generator) announce the release of their third studio album "The Waydown" this February 2nd on Heavy Psych Sounds. Stream the title track below:

Initiated in the fall of 2019 during a 3-day long jam session in the inspiring lands of California's Yucca Valley, BIG SCENIC NOWHERE merges the talents of prolific guitarists Bob Balch (Fu Manchu) and Gary Arce (Yawning Man), Tony Reed (Mos Generator) on vocals, bass, guitar and synthesizers, and Bill Stinson (ex-Yawning Man) on drums. The band has released two EPs ("Dying On The Mountain" and "Lavender Blues") and two full-lengths ("Vision Beyond Horizon" and "The Long Morrow"), collaborating with prestigious guests such as Alain Johannes, Reeves Gabrels, Per Wiberg, Mario Lalli or Nick Oliveri.

Their new album features special guests Reeves Gabrels (The Cure), Per Wiberg (ex-Opeth, Spiritual Beggars), Eliot Lewis (Hall and Oates). It was recorded at Gatos Trail, HeavyHead, Red Barn Recording Co. and Casa De Balch, and mixed and mastered by Reed at HeavyHead Recording Co.

New album "The Waydown" - Out February 2nd on Heavy Psych Sounds - PREORDER

TRACKLIST:

1. The Waydown – 7:41
2. Summer Teeth – 4:58
3. Surf Western – 5:49
4. Bleed On – 4:24
5. Sara Smile – 4:26
6. BT-OH – 4:51
7. 100 – 7:38

BIG SCENIC NOWHERE is the ambitious project formed by Bob Balch (Fu Manchu) and Gary Arce (Yawning Man) on guitar, quickly joined by Tony Reed (Mos Generator) on bass, vocals and keyboards, and Bill Stinson (Yawning Man) on drums. The foursome is a creative force of nature, a combination of talents whose respective desert, psych, classic and progressive rock backgrounds became one to form a transcending, uplifting and finely crafted brand of rock. It is simply the heart of what collaboration should manifest. Jamming. Sharing music. Developing chemistry to build something new based on their individual experiences. Something that grows stronger for the cohesion between those who make it happen.

The band issued their debut album 'Vision Beyond Horizon' in early 2020 through European powerhouse Heavy Psych Sounds, also featuring appearances from the likes of Mario Lalli, Alain Johannes, Nick Oliveri, and various other guests. Following closely, the 'Lavender Blues' EP stabilized the four-piece lineup around Tony Reed (also featuring special appearances from former Opeth Per Wiberg and Voivod's Daniel Mongrain), consequently shifting from the fuzzy and psych-laden desert rock of the beginnings to a more progressive and prismatic rock enhanced by Reed's warm production style. The band released their sophomore full-length "The Long Morrow" in the fall of 2021 via Heavy Psych Sounds, and will return with a mesmerizing new album entitled "The Waydown" in the winter of 2024.

BIG SCENIC NOWHERE is:

Bob Balch (Fu Manchu) — guitar
Tony Reed (Mos Generator) — vocals, bass, synth, guitar
Gary Arce (Yawning Man) — guitar
Bill Stinson (ex-Yawning Man) — drums

BIG SCENIC NOWHERE links

Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Spotify

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website ⎜ Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Youtube

Big Scenic Nowhere - The Long Morrow (Album Review)

Release Date: January 14th 2022. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: DD/CD/Vinyl

The Long Morrow - Tracklisting

1.Defector (of Future Days) 04:19

2.Murder Klipp 04:47

3.Lavender Bleu 05:12

4.LeDü 02:51

5.The Long Morrow 19:45

Review

Big Scenic Nowhere return with new album The Long Morrow and sees the core lineup of Tony Reed, Bill Stinson, Gary Arce and Bob Balch join forces with Reeves Gabrels (THE CURE/DAVID BOWIE) and Per Wiberg (OPETH, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS) on guitars and synth respectively.

I’m a huge fan of Big Scenic Nowhere previous releases and I will admit The Long Morrow took me a damn long time to fully warm up to and richly appreciate. Big Scenic Nowhere brings a Punk Rock and  Prog Rock attitude to their usual style of Desert/Stoner Rock. Lead vocalist Tony Reed offers a more classic hard rock approach to his vocals whilst retaining an easy-going attitude throughout the album.

The majority of the songs except the epic 20 minute final song last around the 3 mins to 5 mins mark with the band playing not only to their main musical influences but also their musical heroes such as Led Zepplin and Husker Du. The grooves are quintessential Desert/Stoner Rock which you expect from this “supergroup”. Well I think they’re a “supergroup” and I’m calling them that. 

The opening songs Defector (of Future Days) and Murder Klipp bring a soulful style of music with Psychedelic Heavy Layers of hazy Stoner Rock. The synths of Per Wiberg bring a fresher style of Prog Rock with a more dynamic presence which can be quite “Spaced Out” at times.

If you’re a fan of Big Scenic Nowhere previous releases then The Long Morrow is a welcome release to their already impressive discography. Just be prepared for twinges of 70s Prog Rock appearing and becoming quite abstract on certain stages of the album. Though the band never loses sight they’re primarily a Desert/Stoner Rock outfit and everything is built around this especially with the lyrics and creative choices made for the album.

The standout song is the 20 minute epic song The Long Morrow with the band creating epic Desert/Stoner Rock grooves and jams with dynamic Prog Rock rhythms leading the way. Perhaps one of the band’s best tracks to date. As the song is rich with bold storytelling and sublime vocals to match.

The production on The Long Morrow ranks as one of their best produced efforts to date. The record sounds super-fresh and allows Big Scenic Nowhere to try many different things compared to previous releases. 

My favourite Big Scenic Nowhere record is most definitely their 2020 debut full length VISIONS, however The Long Morrow isn’t too far behind. Big Scenic Nowhere have built their reputation on wonderfully solid hooks and jams to leave you wanting more and this record does just that.

Overall, this is a release not only perfect for long-time devotees of the band but also for the casual listener as well.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. 

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

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Big Scenic Nowhere - Lavender Blues (EP Review)

 

Release date: October 23rd 2020. Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Lavender Blues – Tracklisting

1.Lavender Blues 13:10
2.Blink Of An Eye 04:18
3.Labyrinths Fade 06:34

Review:

Lavender Blues is the 3rd release from Big Scenic Nowhere within the last 13 months alone and the band show no signs of slowing down with another Loud and Dreamy Psychedelic Trip into the Desert/Stoner Rock wilderness.

For this release the band have more members such as Per Wiberg (Opeth and Spiritual Beggars), Daniel Mongrain (VOIVOD) and Chris Goss (Masters Of Reality) joining the line-up this time and Big Scenic Nowhere still remain the same by playing top-notch Psychedelic Rock music with a more spacier attitude which you can feel and hear on the epic opening title track which is the centrepiece of the entire EP.

Lavender Blues has a Post-Rock/Spaced Out feel which allows everyone to shine from start to finish. The hypnotic guitars and uplifting vocals means the vibe of the Desert hasn’t sounded this good for a very long time. The song does start very quietly but soon becomes more exciting and more abstract when the sonic sounds and ambient passages appear.

The EP is made up of two other songs called Blink Of An Eye and Labyrinths Fade that also offer some very great riffs of their own especially Labyrinths Fade. These two tracks could have easily fit in very nicely on the band’s acclaimed debut full length album which was also released by Heavy Psych Sounds earlier this year.

Tony Reed’s vocals are pitch-perfect on this EP which you would expect with a legendary performer such as Mr Reed. His really shines through on Blink Of An Eye with his vocals being the main part of the action and the music feeling they were built around Tony’s powerful vocal presence.

The production is top-notch which is what you expect with a release by Heavy Psych Sounds and Big Scenic Nowhere. Both parties always have an ear for quality and the sound scores top-marks for myself personally.

Lavender Blues is another welcome release from Big Scenic Nowhere. I wouldn’t blame the guys for having a rest with the band releasing 3 quality records in such a short space of time. However, I feel the guys will be back sooner rather than later.

Words by Steve Howe

Lavender Blues will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from October 23rd 2020.

Thanks to Purple Sage PR and All Noir PR for the promo.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Big Scenic Nowhere - Visions Beyond Horizon (Album Review)

Release date: January 31^st 2020. Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Visions Beyond Horizon - Tracklisting

1. The Glim

2. The Paraonid

3. The I Was Gone

4. Mirror Image

5. Hidden Wall

6. Shadows From The Altar

7. En Las Sombras

8. Tragic Motion Lines

9. The War Years

Members

Bob Balch (Guitar, Bass)

Gary Arce (Guitar)

Tony Reed (Vocals, Keys, Drums)

Mario Lalli (Bass)

Per Wiberg (Keys)

Bill Stinson (Drums)

Nick Oliveri (Bass)

Lisa Alley (Vocals)

Ian Graham (Vocals)

Alain Johannes (Vocals, Guitar)

Review

Visions Beyond Horizon is the debut full length album from Psychedelic/Desert/Stoner Rock supergroup – Big Scenic Nowhere – which is made of up core members – Gary Acre (Yawning Man) and Bob Balch (Fu Manchu). Two individuals who know a thing or two about playing Heavy Stoner Rock grooves.

The guys have asked their famous friends such as Tony Reed, Mario Lalli, Per Wilberg, Bill Stinson, Nick Olivieri, Lisa Alley, Ian Graham and Alan Johannes to join them on this epic journey of dark sounding Desert/Stoner Rock weirdness. The majority of the musicians who appear on this album also appeared on their recently released acclaimed debut EP – Dying On The Mountain – which was released a few months back.

Visions Beyond Horizon is a more thrilling and different sounding experience compared to their debut EP with the band exploring darker themes and progressive ideas that I didn’t really expect for a Desert/Stoner Rock album such as this. Big Scenic Nowhere is a true creative force of nature with the different style of songs and range of guest vocalists and musicians adding their own unique spin on things.

Opening song – The Glim – is a heavy kaleidoscopic use of Psychedelic Rock, Stoner Rock and Desert Rock with a deep Yawning Man style of music driving the narrative home. The song is quite melodic and moody in places with a deeply satisfying Post-Stoner vibe allowing the album to demand your full attention this early on. The vocals are superb with a more laid-back feel but things do become heavy on certain parts of the song.

Second song – The Paranoid – is a more Punk driven song. This song is fast-paced and is likely to confuse listeners at first as this song is so left-field compared to the other songs on the album. This is the heaviest and shortest song on the album but offers a few moments of snarling Stoner Rock/Metal attitude.

Third song – Then I was Gone – has a more classic sounding Desert Rock approach with delicious vocals from Ian Graham (I could be wrong on this one) and Lisa Alley. The vocals complement each other superbly well. As they drift from a heartfelt style to a more rebellious and double-crossing style of vocals. The music is mostly laidback Desert Rock grooves which feels more influenced by Yawning Man. One of the standout songs on the album.

Fourth song – Mirror Image – is what you would expect from a Yawning Man/Fu Manchu project such as Big Scenic Nowhere. As the music is the perfect sounding union of these two legendary bands. The music is a distinctive style of Desert Rock. Stoner Rock and Punk based aggression. The vocals are straight to the point but with a classic hard rock sensibility. There are some epic guitar solos on this song that is quite spaced out in places but still leaves you wanting more.

Fifth song – Hidden Wall – is the most laid-back offering with a Post-Desert/Post-Stoner based attitude allowing the band to create a lush psychedelic sound with an almost “Jazz” based approach. Though this is a false narrative as the song becomes more threatening when the heavier vocals and riffs appear in the second half of the song. I did enjoy the Yawning Man influenced style chill out/ambient based music the most on this song. As it shows a different side to the whole album. The second half of this song is perhaps the heaviest part of the album.

There are four songs left but I would be here all day reviewing every single one and I feel the five songs I’ve reviewed here does more enough explaining on what to expect for the rest of the album.

The remaining songs – Shadows From The Altar, En Las Sombras, Tragic Motion Lines and The War Years – all offer have their own individual style of Desert Rock, Psych Rock and Stoner Rock to impress people with. En Las Sombras and Tragic Motion Lines are perhaps my favourite songs on the album. As they offer the most creative sounds on the album and both have an addictive quality to them.

Visions Beyond Horizon could have easily been an overblown release with the many different musicians and styles of music contained on the album. However, this is one of the most creative and highly original Desert/Stoner Rock albums I’ve heard in years. Everything about this album oozes class

I don’t know what more can be said about this album but mainly to say that Visions Beyond Horizon is an unforgettable album and is a future classic in the making.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR, All Noir PR and Action PR for the promo. Visions Beyond Horizon will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from Jan 31st 2020.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp