Megaton Communion - Three Of Cups (Album Review)

Release Date: September 11th 2026. Record Label: Black Doomba Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Three Of Cups - Tracklist

1.Evil Speak 03:43 video
2.Echoes in Time 04:52
3.Desert Centipede
4.Three of Cups
5.Depth
6.Embrace
7.The Hollow
8.Goddess
9.River Valley Queen

Members

Derrick – Guitar

Joe – Bass/Vocals

Ken Gosselin – Drums

Review

Desert Rock/Stoner Metallers Megaton Communion return with their second album Three Of Cups which allows the band to add a seedier and grungier style of music. The sound is still very distorted with a classic Nineties Hard Rock attitude that emerges very early on within the sublime opening track of Evil Speak. There is a great style of different influences appearing where you can hear musical vibes from the likes of Soundgarden, KYUSS, FU MANCHU and The Melvins. 

The whole sound has an aggressive layer of Fuzz Metal with some buoyant QOTSA and Truckfighters based Desert Rock swagger. Megaton Communion are in complete control creating their own great blend of gloomy sounds that become quite DOOM based with each passing song being played such as: Echoes Of Time and Desert Centipede. The band excel playing fast-paced music to the more doom rock orientated slow paced numbers which shows a wide range of different styles to appear.

Three Of Cups may be dominantly melodic but Megaton Communion allow themselves the time and freedom to go in a different musical direction where the sludgy instrumental sounds become more abrasive and refreshingly honest. The “DOOM & GLOOM” themes contained within the lyrics has a certain apocalyptical momentum especially towards the second half of the album.

Megaton Communion even added some TOOL-esque beatdowns and musical progressive beats to make this quite a mind expanding record still keeping with the grounded attitude that’s always been a great aspect of the band’s music. Perhaps not as riff heavy as their debut album but there’s more variety of great music that allows each band member to show their great musical skills from start to finish.

The stripped back production of the album is refreshingly clean and superbly real which allows  Megaton Communion to add real human emotion into their music and nothing is over played with Three Of Cups being superbly original in its own right.

Other standout tracks to check out are: Depth, Embrace, Goddess and the mighty final track River Valley Queen.

My final thoughts is that Megaton Communion have delivered a superbly addictive album that pays homage to the classic Nineties Hard Scene but adding a gritty modern day flavour into the mix that is the complete package if you’re a dedicated follower of THE MIGHTY RIFF!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Metal Devastation PR for the promo.

Three Of Cups is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Black Doomba Records.

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Black Moon Cult - Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig) (Album Review)

Release Date: September 05th 2025. Record Label: Black Doomba Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig)  - Tracklisting

1.Moonchild Ritual 06:07

2.Supernova 05:12

3.Ophidian Future 08:06 video

4.Sunfish 04:40

5.At The Mountains of Madness 05:43

6.Stoned Ape 08:41

Members

Kaleb M. Riser - Vocals, Guitar, Synth, Electric Sitar

Kevin Lewis - Vocals, Bass, Keyboard, Pipe Organ

Jeff Vandebussche - Vocals, Drums, Percussion

Review

Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig) is the latest record from Black Moon Cult who throw every groove, sound, rhythm and melody from the Psych/Stoner Metal movement with this album running for over thirty eight minutes in length. However, the album feels twice as long with Black Moon Cult playing a wide array of different style of melodies with fantastical creative insight. That creative vision is brought to life even further with Prog Rock/Metal techniques being added throughout the album.

With a multitude of different instruments played by the three core members to almost pure perfection especially on the experimental parts of the record where things like Electric Sitar and Pipe Organ make an appearance. However, it’s also the traditional instrumental sounds that make up the majority of the heavy based melodies with intense grooves being overplayed against areas of destructive Fuzz, Cosmic Rock and Space Rock for a sound you don’t really come across that much.

The vocals are EPIC but also wonderfully WEIRD which sees all three members branch out into louder areas of Heavy Metal at the drop of a hat. To confuse matters is Black Moon Cult’s dramatic use of Middle Eastern Trippy Sound Effects which sees this record having a weird “KrautRock” attitude before switching into other areas of Mystical Heavy Metal.

With influences ranging from Black Sabbath, Monster Magnet, Hawkwind, Pink Floyd and KYUSS this never deters Black Moon Cult being their own band where they play their own highly original style of Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal with intense lyrics to match. There is a sense of weirdness appearing for all of the tracks but you can’t help be impressed by the band’s storytelling skills and the whole narrative of the record being completely BONKERS but also quite grounded at the same time on tracks such as: Moonchild Ritual, Supernova, Ophidian Future and Stoned Ape. 

Those tracks were the main standouts for myself as that’s where Black Moon Cult impress the most with their fearless playing and intense sludgy melodies that even had a “NO FUCKS GIVEN” attitude being added just for the sheer hell of it. Some may complain that Black Moon Cult are trying too hard here with the multitude of different styles that appear on the record and perhaps maybe play it safer. I’m grateful that Black Moon Cult feel brave and bold to release a wonderfully weird record like this for their debut album.

The band are aiming BIG with Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig) and it really does have a gigantic CINEMATIC quality which taps right into the classic heyday of 1970’s Hard Rock EXCESS but delivers this with a free-flowing modern day attitude which is where the REAL MAGIC happens. 

Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig) is delightfully weird and absolutely bonkers at the same time. However, it’s also a brilliantly entertaining record with Black Moon Cult delivering a highly anthemic and original sound of their own making.

Words by Steve Howe

 

Thanks to Metal Devastation Radio PR for the promo.

Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig) is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Black Doomba Records.

Links

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Megaton Communion - Red Sky Warning (Album Review)

Release Date: December 06th 2024. Record Label: Black Doomba Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Red Sky Warning - Track Listing:

1.KENTUCKY BUDDHA 03:24

2.SEVEN SACRED POOLS 06:14

3.HEIR TO THE EARTH 04:05

4.I 80 WEST 06:03

5.UNDONE 05:12

6.DISBELIEF 03:27

7.PASS ME OVER 02:51

8.END OF EVERYTHING 05:58

Members

Joe Marshall - Bass, Vocals

Derrick Walter - Guitar

Ryan Sharkey - Drums

Review

Red Sky Warning is the debut album from Megaton Communion who are fully committed to the classic wave of 1990’s of Desert/Stoner Rock within this highly engaging and superbly entertaining record. The band aligns itself with the Southern Rock movement along the way with Megaton Communion flirting between Heavy Metal aggression and more commercial rock flair which is no bad thing when the grooves are constantly evolving for a higher purpose.

The opening track of Kentucky Buddha sets up the scene for a style of Stoner Rock/Metal that moves across the world of Southern Rock that has a spicy Desert Rock vibe which does allow Megaton Communion to create a softer style of music compared to the other tracks on the album but more about that later. There’s still a subtle Stoner Metal presence within the thumping bass lines and classic rock vocal tones from lead vocalist/bassist Joe Marshall. Derrick Walter on Guitars and Ryan Sharkey on Drums provide the excellent Fuzzed Up Aggressive grooves that gives their music that little bit more kick in the heavy volume department.

The sound can be quite emotionally charged which comes through the excellent second track Seven Sacred Pools before a full-on Desert Rock swagger transforms the song into a more muscular offering. Though, there's a delicate balance of Post-Stoner attitude which is quite tranquil and hazy in places with Megaton Communion becoming ever more comfortable whenever the heavier FUZZ ROCK moments appear.

Third track Heir To The Earth opts for a gloomier tone with a certain Sludge Rock sound appearing within the background. The band play extended Instrumental passages that conjure up a whirlwind of Doom Rock and Alt Metal sounds with an optimistic Psychedelic Desert Rock energy appearing that ranks as some of the best parts of the album. There’s a seedier and distorted element that allows Megaton Communion to “tap” into that winning modern day atmospheric vision that is becoming more popular within the modern day Stoner underground scene.

Fourth track I 80 West is a combination of Alt Metal progression and Sludge Rock sounds that has an intense “STOP/START” effect with elements of Blues Rock guitars and classic Desert Rock swagger appearing. The added influence of Psych Rock and Cosmic Rock reminds me of Yawning Man in places with Megaton Communion becoming focused upon delivering a heavier Progressive sound.

The second half of Red Sky Warning is perhaps more dynamic and dramatic with Megaton Communion leaning further into the Doom Rock stratosphere and developing heavier melodic grooves on tracks such as Undone, Disbelief and End Of Everything. There’s an excellent KYUSS influence being used in places but Megaton Communion have managed to create their own cool style of music with Joe Marshall’s excellent vocals being the main focal point at times.

Red Sky Warning is a highly confident and expertly produced debut album that allows Megaton Communion to develop and play their own brand of Desert Rock/Stoner Rock naturally with a raw intensity that’s very hard to ignore. The guys have delivered the goods with this album and I’m looking forward to seeing the creative journey Megaton Communion will deliver upon with future releases.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Red Sky Warning is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Black Doomba Records.

Links

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Thunderbird Divine - Little Wars (Album Review)

Release Date: August 30th 2024. Record Label: Black Doomba Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Little Wars: Tracklisting

1. Pony Express

2. Times Gone Bad

3. Last Laugh  

4. Black Rhino Mantra

5. These Eyes

6. Tides

7. Highway Dawn

8. Old Black Crow

9. Carousel 

Members

Erik Caplan: Vocals, Guitar, Theremin, Sitar, Banjo, Harmonica, Synth, Drones, Weird Stuff

Micheal Stuart: Vocals, Drums, Percussion

Joshua Adam Solomon: Vocals, Bass, Guitars, Synth, Percussion 

Jack Falkenbach: Vocals, Keys, Violin, Melodica

Review

Thunderbird Divine were formed in 2017 after the dissolution of two other bands from the Philly scene, Wizard Eye and Skeleton Hands. The origin of the band name has a pretty cool story, as it was the nickname of a Vietnam veteran in Erik Caplan’s (vocals, guitar) hometown growing up and its also the name of one of the tracks off of his previous band Wizard Eye’s self-titled album back in 2015. Erik along with ex-Skeleton Hands Mike Stuart (drums), Jack Falkenbach (keys), and Joshua Solomon (bass) are all veterans of the scene and completed their current lineup in 2022. Having released their debut ‘Magnasonic’ in 2019 and the follow-up ‘The Hand of Man’ in 2020, the album ‘Little Wars’ is the band's third sonic outing. 

‘Little Wars’ is a wonderful listening experience full of tasty riffs, lyrical idioms, and talented musicianship throughout, directing you through a wide path of sounds and styles. Songs like ‘Times Gone Bad’ with its rich organ tones and thick sounding bass delve into hard rock territory while the lead guitar has a grungy feel to it making for a mixture of sounds and genres. The lyrics are something we can all relate to, having all been through our share of bad times. ‘Last Laugh’ the first single off the album has a stoner rock feel to it with great guitar and clever lyrics, as the saying goes when you point a finger to blame someone else you have more pointed back at yourself. The female vocals are an amazing accent and produce somewhat of a southern rock vibe when combined with the keyboard. You’ve got to check out the video, it’s comical with the guys singing the ladies part and it looks like they are having a blast shooting it! 

‘These Eyes’ has some of my favorite guitar parts, the repeating riff is alluring and absolutely draws you in. The tail-end of the song has some amazing lead guitar and the choir of female vocals joining in and going a cappella at the end, makes for one of the most memorable sections of the album. ‘Old Black Crow’ is a departure from the heavy rockers or stoner influences, it’s like a psychedelic Americana song with Erik playing banjo accompanied by a jazzy piano lick, and whether it is or not I can imagine an upright bass being played as the vocals tell the agonizing torture of being haunted by that fucking crow. 

There are plenty of other great moments on ‘Little Wars’ like the opening track ‘Pony Express’ with its soulful harmonica and Native American feel to it, the drums on ‘Black Rhino Mantra’ as well as the drumming patterns and tom fills on ‘Highway Dawn’, killer percussion work throughout. The two instrumental tracks ‘Tides’ with its progressive rock organ and tribal drums and the closer ‘Carousel’ which yes, sounds like a carousel with some glass slide guitar behind it. All are outstanding, a variety of auditory masterpieces awaits the listener and Thunderbird Divine have quite a divine album on their hands with ‘Little Wars’.

Words by Jon McGough

Thanks to C Squared Music for the promo.

Little Wars will be available to buy from Black Doomba Records on Friday August 30th 2024.

Links

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THUNDERBIRD DIVINE Rocks the Scene: Signs with Black Doomba Records for Explosive Fall 2024 Album Release

In an electrifying new partnership, the esteemed Philadelphia-based band THUNDERBIRD DIVINE has inked a deal with Black Doomba Records, signaling a bold new chapter in their already illustrious journey. This collaboration promises to unleash an album in the fall of 2024 that will further cement THUNDERBIRD DIVINE's place in the pantheon of riff-heavy psychedelic/stoner/doom music.

Since their formation in March 2017, THUNDERBIRD DIVINE has captivated audiences with their unique blend of sonic textures and musical experimentation, drawing inspiration from the likes of Monster Magnet, Hawkwind, and The MC5. Their journey has seen them release critically acclaimed albums such as Magnasonic and The Hand of Man, alongside memorable singles and covers that showcase their versatility and creative prowess.

The upcoming album, set for release in the fall of 2024, is eagerly anticipated by fans and critics alike. It promises to be a testament to the band's relentless pursuit of musical innovation, featuring compositions that are both emotionally compelling and sonically adventurous. This new project will not only highlight THUNDERBIRD DIVINE's mastery of traditional rock songwriting but will also delve into complex textures and sounds, further pushing the boundaries of their genre.

THUNDERBIRD DIVINE comprises Erik Caplan, Michael Stuart, Joshua Adam Solomon, and Jack Falkenbach – a lineup of multi-instrumentalists known for their musical virtuosity and experimental approach. The band's dedication to in-house recording and embracing technological advancements in search of the perfect sound has set them apart in the music world.

The partnership with Black Doomba Records, a label renowned for its dedication to the heavy music scene, marks a significant milestone for THUNDERBIRD DIVINE. This alliance is set to amplify the band's reach and introduce their groundbreaking music to a wider audience.

Stay tuned for more updates on THUNDERBIRD DIVINE's forthcoming album and their journey with Black Doomba Records. In the meantime, fans can connect with the band through their official social media pages and Bandcamp profile.

Watch the signing announcement below:

For more information on THUNDERBIRD DIVINE and their music, please visit:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thunderbirddivine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thunderbird_divine/
Bandcamp: https://thunderbirddivine.bandcamp.com/

About Black Doomba Records:

Black Doomba Records is a record label dedicated to the promotion and support of the best in heavy, doom, and stoner rock music. With a commitment to quality and a passion for the genre, Black Doomba Records continues to be a leading force in the music industry.

Thanks to C Squared Music for all of the info.

EMBR - EMBR (Album Review)

Release Date: 02nd February 2023. Record Label: Black Doomba Records. Formats: CD/DD

EMBR - Self Titled - Tracklisting

Black

Leave Us

Owed

The Conflict

Yellow

Everybody

Nomega

End Cycle

325

Corrupt

Members

Eric - Drums

Crystal - Vocals

Justin - Bass

Mark - Guitar

Review

Doom/Sludge Metallers EMBR return with their new self-titled album which showcases a heavier and more potent sound compared to their previous releases. The record is quite politically charged with the band not holding back in providing an unflinching style of gloomy heaviness which touches upon moments of seedy classic GRUNGE along the way. With a throwback style of metallic grooves which is moved along at threatening pace courtesy of the electrifying vocals from Crystal which move through many different styles and aggressive patterns. There's some harsh growls which come from Eric who also provides the intense drums for EMBR to build the DOOMED OUT LEVELS from the ground up.

The album has hidden moments of vivid psychedelic energy which appears within the closing moments of the excellent opening track Black though there's a wicked Post-Sludge flavour before those moments with EMBR laying down the creative groundwork for the album's gloomy sounds for the rest of the album to follow. EMBR inject political soundbytes to the record throughout the album which perhaps starts becoming more effective on the second track Leave Us. The song is on the short side but allows EMBR to venture further into the Doom/Sludge Metal abyss if slightly more mellow compared to the other tracks on the album.

Third song Owed is another gloomy Sludge Metal driven track with Crystal providing some epic BANSHEE based vocals with a Gothic tinged performance.The instrumental work has a ferocious primal energy at its main core. The grooves are delivered with violent relish that EMBR give a slightly distorted manic feel. Any band that uses a soundclip from children's classic movie Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory and makes a political statement deserves full credit for doing something different. This song has a lot to say with EMBR focusing upon playing some of the heaviest and frenzied sounds they've delivered to date.

The album then delivers more devilish based twists with the DOOM METAL aspect adding moments of Trippy Psychedelic passages on tracks such as The Conflict, Yellow, Nomega, End Cycle and Corrupt. The songs always have something interesting to say and the multitude of different sounding vocals allows EMBR to have a more threatening quality and presence to their music.

The music can be quite hard to describe overall with EMBR moving between different shades of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal with elements of Thrash, Grunge, and Post-Whatever moments. EMBR always seem willing to push themselves even further with the hidden messages spliced throughout the album. Though the music is always intense and full of catchy grooves with a vicious Sludge Metal attitude even when the music becomes slightly experimental, the quality of the album never waivers with EMBR playing to their creative strengths. 

EMBR have delivered the goods with this album and perhaps be considered a much stronger effort compared to their acclaimed debut release. This is an album that delivers on all fronts with EMBR blending pure MAYHEM with a foreboding sense of DOOM that demands your full undivided attention.

Words by Steve Howe 

Links

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Tommy Stewart's DYERWULF - Doomsday Deferred (Album Review) And Exclusive Album Premiere

Release Date: September 03rd 2021. Record Label: Black Doomba Records. Format: DD/CD/Vinyl

Doomsday Deferred - Tracklisting

1.Doomsday Malum

2.Shadow in the Well 05:24

3.Two Trog Yomp

4.Madness for Two

5.Rolling My Own

6.Not Prey to Yourself

7.Indiscriminate Trepidation

8.Stars Flee in Pain

9.Why the Rotting Sun Speaks in Tongues

10.By the Blood of Mars

Review

Doomsday Deferred is the 2nd album from Tommy Stewart’s Dyerwulf project and is quite different to the last project that I reviewed for Negative Wall. Dyerwulf is more Atmospheric Doom Metal spliced with modern day Stoner Metal with flashes of Psych Rock and Fuzz Rock. The album is quite gloomy with a heavy amount of FUZZ leading the way. The album does have a fair amount of Amplifier Worship which is to be expected for a two piece band I believe though Dyerwulf do have special guest appearances along the way.

There is a deep love for 70s Doom Metal, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal with Black Sabbath, Trouble and Saint Vitus being the most obvious starting points especially on the excellent earliest tracks such as Shadow In The Well and Two Trog Yomp laying down the groundwork for Dyerwulf to get their “DOOM CLAWS” into whoever listens to this album.

The vocal arrangements on the album are good and show a different side to Tommy and I can even hear shades of Ozzy and King Buzzo in equal measure throughout the album. The music is always on the right side of Doom/Stoner Metal HEAVINESS with an aggressive sound and attitude to match. 

Bass Players throughout the Doom/Stoner Metal land will ultimately love this album the most. As this is a Drum and Bass Two Piece combo that utilizes everything great about the Bass Guitar. The riffs are LOUD, FREAKY and PLENTIFUL. 

Doomsday Deferred is perhaps the most entertaining album I’ve heard from Tommy Stewart’s weird and wonderful musical mind. As I dig the Black Sabbath vibes and The Melvins sludgy weirdo rock/metal that is held on this album but Dyerwulf still brings their own flavour and identity to the party. 

Check this great album out yourself with this cool exclusive album premiere.

 

Tommy says this about the album: 

“The creation of this album took place during a dark time for me, the same dark and precarious year or so many of us had to endure in the 2020 times. Writing and recording this album has its freewheeling moments but was also a catharsis of the dim, gloomy, and sometimes angry era. These sessions helped me break through the loneliness of isolation that I’m sure many of you could find relatable. ‘Doomsday Deferred’ shares my personal journey from dark to light with you.”

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to C Squared Music for all of the details

Doomsday Deferred will be available to buy on CD/DD/Cassette/Vinyl via Black Doomba Records from September 3rd 2021.

Links:

BandCamp

DayGlo Mourning - Dead Star (Album Review)

Release Date: 12th February 2021. Record Label: Black Doomba Records. Formats: CD/DD

Dead Star - Tracklisting

Dead Star
The Offering
Bloodghast
Faithful Demise
Ashwhore
Witch’s Ladder

Band Members

Ray Miner - Drums
Jerimy McNeil - Bass, Vocals
Joseph Mills - Guitar, Vocals

Review

Dead Star is the new album from Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers DayGlo Mourning and continues their raucous blend of heavy groove and beer-fuelled sounds which whilst not exactly groundbreaking is still a welcome addition to the ever-growing bands playing action packed music such as this.

The album runs for around 35 minutes and DayGlo Mourning manage to find the time within each track to play an addictive style of Heavy Doom Rock with splashes of Psychedelic Rock with a lean and mean Space Rock attitude to match.

Opening song - Dead Star - is a great song to open the album with. As it gives the band the perfect opportunity to play their own style of aggressive Doom/Stoner Metal with a stripped back High On Fire style Sludgy atmosphere holding everything together. The instrumental work is excellent whilst the vocals offer a more “real” sound and that’s what I enjoyed most about this album. DayGlo Mourning keeps things mighty real despite the heavier Psychedelic and Spaced Out parts of the album giving them the creative freedom to run amok with the albums trippiest themes but the band keep everything “REAL”.

Second song - The Offering - is more slow-paced with mellow guitars and drums leading the way. The vocals have a distant effect to them which instantly draws you in but it’s the music keeping your attention with the promise of bigger and better things. The song explodes briefly with an aggressive outburst of flashy sludgy guitars but the band keep the mood at a slow pace before playing faster paced modern Doom riffs with a slightly claustrophobic edge.

Third song - Bloodghast - offers the longest and best track on the album. DayGlo Mourning continue their strong performance from the previous song and bring a more solidified modern gloomy Stoner Metal atmosphere but with a Progressive flair. The song is LOUD and DOOMS ON with heavy grooves being the best part of the album.

The 2nd half of the album sees DayGlo Mourning shine even brighter with more epic sounding guitars that bring the manic energy of High On Fire and Mastodon to the party but given a slightly modern Doom/Stoner Metal makeover. Ashwhore and Witche’s Ladder allows the band the perfect opportunity to play classic Doom/Stoner Metal riffs whilst bringing their own great ideas and themes to the party.

Dead Star is another excellent album from the band and offers 35 minutes of top-notch entertainment that provides everything you want from a thoroughly modern Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal album.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Dewar PR for the promo. Dead Star will be available to buy on CD/DD via Black Doomba Records from February 12th 2021.

Links

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