Psych/Doom/Stoner Metallers GNARWHAL Release New Song/Video For ANCIENT VEINS From Upcoming New Album LUCID MACHINES

Doom/Stoner Metallers GNARWHAL release their stunning new single ANCIENT VEINS from their brilliant upcoming new album LUCID MACHINES due for release on March 19th 2026.

You can watch the video below for the song.

The band say this about the song:

"Ancient Veins hits with sharpened teeth—faster, meaner, and wired with defiance. Gnarwhal injects their sludge-heavy sound with a punk urgency, tearing through themes of decay, control, and digital erasure. It’s a tightly coiled anthem of resistance, where blistering riffs and the repeated vow “I won’t die in machinery” cut through the static like a blade. A jolt of raw energy that proves Gnarwhal can burn just as fast as they crush."

You can pre-order Lucid Machines now on Digital and Vinyl from this link, 

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Exclusive Premiere Of ESBEN WILLEMS New Song/Video For ACROSS THE EVERYTHING From Upcoming New Album GLOWING DARKNESS

"Across The Everything" is a stompingly catchy track full of unwieldy metallic riffage and thundering rhythm about the relentless nature of touring and being separated from loved ones, with a video starring Esben's son, Charlie Willems.

An ode to familial love and perseverance, this is a heartfelt and candid look at the many hats worn by Willems, not only an accomplished musician, producer and artist committed to his craft but also a devoted family man.

'Glowing Darkness,' the solo project of Esben Willems of Monolord, supergroup SLOWER and owner/operator of Studio Berserk, Sweden is the fruition of many years of songwriting, conceptual exploration and expression condensed into nine tracks of hook rich, punk spirited alternative rock giving enthusiastic, double middle fingers to the fun police.

We are excited to premiere the new song/video for Across The Everything from Glowing Darkness which you can watch below.

Esben says this about the video: "The lyrics to this one delve into the emotional push and pull of loving being on the road while longing so much for your loved ones that it hurts. In this case specifically my son, so it was a given asking him if he wanted to be in the video with me. It’s rudimentary, a bit chaotic and very DIY, which to me suits the song beautifully. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we did."

The Lowdown - Glowing Darkness

Esben tells us "I've always been fascinated, inspired, and driven by limitations and I've always encouraged others to do what they can with what they have." said Willems of his solo outing. "But, I've not been to good at following that advice myself, so this album is just that. A collection of misfit song ideas that kept lingering, songs I eventually felt I wanted to record. And I wanted to do it all myself; instead of asking more capable friends to contribute on instruments I feel lost in space on – and I have the luxury of knowing quite a few insanely talented humans – I wanted to push my own limits and see what I'd be capable of within my plenitude of limitations and self-doubt. It might to some extent be rudimentary and rough, but that's also what I like about it. A companion sentiment through the whole process – and any creative process – is that we all have so much in common, so if I like it, someone else probably does as well.”

A multifaceted release full of texturally varied composition and irreverent lyricism , ‘Glowing Darkness’ reflects the struggle and absurdity of the human condition through Esben’s personal lens. Exuding endless amounts of catchy, foot tapping hooks and a healthy dose of anthemic raging.‘Glowing Darkness’ is inflected with plenty of tongue in cheek irony which makes the earnest sincerity of this release is it’s driving force as much as the undeniable musical pedigree and acumen of its maker.

Out officially on the 29th of March, you can pre-order the album in three beautiful editions from Majestic Mountain Records.

Thanks to Majestic Mountain Records for all of the info.

Glowing Darkness will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Majestic Mountain Records from Friday March 29th 2024.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Studio Berserk (Facebook)

Lay Bare Recordings Announce The New Release CLOSURE by SEVERANT

About The Album

Two great tracks were recorded as their upcoming debut EP in Moon Studio with Pieter Kloos. And there is a full length in the works.

The EP brings to life a new interpretation and performance of dark psychedelic rock. Taking influences from musical adventures such as Pink Floyd and The Devil’s Blood, beautiful melodies will take you away on a journey through their minds.

As said; Severant brings to life a psychedelic sound with grooving drums, melodic bass parts and characteristic guitar riffs that carry the emotional and dynamic vocals. Music which is all written while jamming results in the organic feeling that Severant brings, which is the essence of the band.

About The Band

As very talented music students from the Metal Factory in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, Riccardo Subasi (Bass), Koen Steendijk (Drums), Loet Braamkolk (Guitar) and Erik van Liempd (Guitar & Vocals). Four hard working musicians started their journey together in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. They've found each other out of both emotional and musical necessity. 

You can listen to the song Closure from below

You can pre-order from Lay Bare Recordings now.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Lay Bare Recordings on Facebook 

AVER - Orbis Majora (Album Review)

Release date: January 18th 2019. Label: Ripple Music. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Orbis Majora – Tracklisting

1. Feeding the Sun

2. Disorder

3. The Last Goat Out of Pompeii

4. Unanswered Prayers

5. Hemp Fandango

Members

Luke: Guitar

Jed: Bass

Henry: Drums

Burdt - Guitar/Vocals

Review

Aussie Psych Stoner Rockers AVER return with their new album Orbis Majora and it’s a decidedly different affair compared to their previous albums. As this album has a more progressive and experimental sound that I didn’t initially expect. The added use of different instruments such as violins and cello is a superb touch and gives AVER’s music much more depth than ever before.

The album does take some time to fully get going and for the heavy riffs to appear. AVER continue their progressive space rock journey they started almost eight years ago on their acclaimed debut album which had elements of Grunge, Psych and Hard Rock buried under the expansive rock/metal sound the band created even back then. AVER sound wonderfully different on Orbis Majora as they add a TOOL-esque progressive delivery to their music that still offers moments of pure psychedelic bliss.

Opening song – Feeding The Sun – is a ten minute plus epic which sees AVER play different aspects of Psychedelic Rock that ventures further into the Space/Stoner Rock spectrum. The song can be quite folk-orientated at times but that is a good thing as this allows the listener to fully appreciate AVER’s sound even more. The song almost loses its way towards the end but it’s the sheer size and scope of AVER’s music that makes this song an absolute delight to listen to. As you don’t know which musical direction AVER will take you next. Truth be told I don’t think they know either.

Second song – Disorder – opens with a more laid-back psychedelic sound that’s played quite casually. However this all builds upto to a thundering wall of seventies inspired Space/Stoner Rock goodness that’s quite dramatic and trippy in all the right places. The vocals from Burdt are superb and become louder and more passionate as the song reaches its natural and heavy progressive conclusion.

Third song – The Last Goat Out Of Pompeii – is a throwback to seventies prog-rock but with the added heavy modern Stoner Rock influences that AVER wisely bring to the table. This is one of the standout songs on the album with the Pink Floyd and TOOL influences shining through.

The final two songs – Unanswered Prayers and Hemp Fandango – offer almost twenty five minutes of the heaviest riffs contained on the album and sees AVER experiment with their sound even further and perhaps becoming more of a Heavy Space Rock sound than ever before. Hemp Fandango is perhaps the best song of the album as AVER become more confident and fully focused on creating a more comprehensive sound to immerse the listener with.

Overall, Orbis Majora is a wonderful and equally moving audio cinematic experience that will only enhance AVER’s reputation even further within the Psych/Stoner Rock scene.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Richard at Sheltered Life PR for the promo. Orbis Majora will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music from Jan 18th 2019.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Record Label Spotlight - Forbidden Place Records

Forbidden Place Records is a record label based in Denver, Colorado, USA that was started in 2014. This label is a record label with a difference. As the label describe themselves as:

"An art and music label that focuses on underground and experimental works by national & international artists"

Looking at their BandCamp Page, Forbidden Place Records have a lot of cool artists featured on their roster such as STAVH, The Dead End Alley Band, SIXES, MEPHISTOFELES and RUFF MAJIK.

Though Forbidden Place Records do have a lot of other cool artists that fall outside the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal spectrum.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Monolith Grows! - Black And Supersonic (Album Review)

Release date: June 08^th 2018. Label: Burning Wax Productions. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Black And Supersonic – Tracklisting

1. You're Gone

2. Ultraviolet In The Clear Sky

3. Satan Monday Bureau

4. Interlude with Synths and Clean Guitars

5. Here Comes The Hero

6. Silly Gods

7. So Fresh!

8. Low

9. Above The Doubts

10. Empire Of Dirt

Members

Andrea Marzoli - Vocals & Guitar

Riccardo Cocetti - Drums

Max Codeluppi - Lead Guitar

Enrico Busi - Bass

Review

Black And Supersonic is the new album from Monolith Grows!. A band that are not afraid to rely on familiar sounds but injecting it with a more cosmic spaced out feel. Lead vocalist Andrea is inspired by singers from the Grunge Scene whilst the band play a heavy blend of Grunge, Psych, Doom, Stoner and Spaced Out Rock.

Opening track - You're Gone - starts very slowly but soon builds up to a commanding heavy rhythm with the excellent vocals creating a heavy grunge/stoner hybrid sound. The song does have an alternative rock feel at times but the band manages to keep the whole mood firmly within the Hard Rock/Stoner Rock spectrum.

Second track - Ultraviolet In The Clear Sky - sounds eerie familiar to the later sounds of Soundgarden. Though it's still a very good song in its own right. The song has some very cool quiet ambient sounds merged with the heavy psychedelic grunge riffs. The pounding drums are the best part of this song.

Third track - Satan Monday Bureau - has a more manic punk based energy and this allows Monolith Grows! to become more confident with their musical surroundings. This song features Joe Mora from House Of Broken Promises. The album also becomes decidedly sinister and doomier. This is where the album and the band start to stand on their own convictions. The whole flow and feel of the album has a classic rock approach but merged with a few modern day influences. I cannot fault the albums production as Black And Supersonic sounds brilliantly heavy throughout.

Other good songs to check out on the album are: Interlude With Synths And Clean Guitars, Here Comes The Hero, Silly Gods, Low and Empire Of Dirt. The use of different psychedelic sounds is what made me enjoy the album the most. As Monolith Grows! are not afraid to experiment with their sound.

Monolith Grows! show a true talent for writing detailed lyrics that matches the some of the finely played progressive riffs heard through the album. Maybe Monolith Grows! is a very hard band to define as they veer off into so many different musical directions. Though that’s one of the albums strengths. As most of the songs on the album have their own distinctive sound.

Black And Supersonic is a hugely entertaining and constantly engaging album that should see Monolith Grows! reputation grow steadily within the Doom/Stoner Rock community.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. Black And Supersonic will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Burning Wax Productions from June 8^th 2018.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Spotlights - Hanging By Faith (EP Review)

Release date: June 15^th 2018. Label: Ipecac Recordings. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Hanging By Faith – Tracklisting

1.The Hanging (Hang Us All) - Kris Dirksen Remix

2.Till Darkness Comes Out (Ghost Of A Glowing Forest) - Mario Quintero Remix

3.Sudden Violent Movement (Seismic) - Aaron Harris Remix

4.Ice Giant (The Size Of The Planet) - Void Manes Remix

5.Faith

Members

Sarah Quintero - Bass/Guitar/Vocals

Mario Quintero - Guitar/Synths/Vocals

Chris Enriquez - Drums (Live)

Review

New York city's Spotlights showed up on my radar sometime last year as the opening act for the mighty Melvins. There album Seismic was an absolute monster with a stunning mix of heavy rock with a bit of electronics sprinkled in for good measure. Hanging by Faith is a breathtaking 5 song EP that features four remixes from their recent album Seismic. Though with a heavier punch of industrial and electronics.

The record does an absolutely amazing job of being detached, brooding and moody while at the same time being warm and intimate.

The Hanging (Hang us All) Kris Dirksen remix opens the record with the a late era Nine Inch Nails sound wrapped lovingly around detached vocals.

Till the Darkness Comes (Ghost of A Glowing Forest) has very subdued, almost ambient sound about it. The song is extremely synth heavy and has moments that give you that

Stranger Things feel. A Sudden Violent Movement lives up to its name as it kicks in quickly. This drums and synth heavy monster is a surreal trip.

Ice Giant (Size of the Planet) is a noise heavy track remixed by Void Manes who did some work on the Melvins Chicken Switch remix album.

The album closes with a brilliant cover of the Cure's Faith. This is the most straight forward fully realized rock song on the record. The guitars and drums are heavy with a full band sound.

Hanging by Faith is a brilliant piece of work and an interesting jumping on point if you are not familiar with this fabulous band, even if you are not a fan of electronic music.

The five songs pulsate with a dark beautiful light that draws you in and seduces your soul. Do yourself a favor and check out this and the previous releases from this amazing band.

- Todd S

Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou

Words by Todd Stealey

Thanks to Monica at Speakeasy PR for the promo. Hanging By Faith will be released on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ipecac Recordings from June 15^th 2018.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

 

An Interview With Sunny From BLACKWATER HOLYLIGHT

Blackwater Holylight released their spellbinding debut album earlier this year and it completely surprised me. As I never really heard an album such as this. As Blackwater Holylight combine Gothic Rock, Doom, Stoner, Psych, Fuzz, Shoegaze and even Indie Rock for a seductive addictive sound.

Newly signed to Riding Easy Records, this is an album that’s winning a whole lot of praise within the Doom/Stoner Rock scene.

I wanted to find more about Blackwater Holylight and I was given the chance to do a quick interview with Allison (Sunny) Faris (Bass/Vocals) from the band.

Hi. Thanks for doing this interview.

Hi there!

Sunny (founder, bass/vocals) here!

What is the main theme of the record.

The main theme of the record is vulnerability and our lives.

Can you give a brief history of how the band came together and where it is today.

We all came together from knowing each other around town and a few of us have been friends for a while. We’ve been a band for about two years now and plan on continuing forward together!

What influenced you when writing and recording the record.

Just our current situation in our lives, growing being vulnerable, things starting things ending… Just a lot of learning!

Was recording the album an easy or hard experience.

It was definitely challenging in ways, and also really fun in a lot of ways! I don’t think that the recording process should ever be necessarily easy for anyone.

Blackwater Holylight has a very unique sound of their own. I had a hard time describing when I reviewed your album recently. How would you describe your own sound.

Our sound does a pretty mixed bag, it’s anywhere from melodic and sultry to heavy and dooms. We say heavy psych but it definitely has many flavors, that’s usually what we tell people when explaining our sound is that it’s just a lot of things.

You’re currently signed to RidingEasy Records. How did you manage to sign to that great label.

We had recorded a few songs that we were going to release an EP and I have been following writing easy and was very interested in them, I sent them a couple tracks and a few days later we were on the phone! It was a little bit of manifest destiny if you will.

Did you have any other offers to release your album.

The only label we sent it to was RidingEasy and they were the only label I wanted to sign with at the time.

Will you be promoting and touring this album heavily. Or will you just be focusing on gigs closer to home.

We would like to be on a supporting tour for a bigger band, but we’re kind of waiting for the right thing to present itself. Right now we have a lot of things around town and are going on a small West Coast tour in August. But for now we’re sticking around home and thinking about starting the recording of the next album.

Have you been taking noticing of the reviews that your album has received. Have you been pleased with the responses. Or do reviews not phase or bother you in the slightest.

I have been extremely pleased with the reviews we’ve gotten so far! Everyone has been so kind and supportive and had pretty amazing things to say about it… I had no expectations whatsoever so everything has been a big surprise.

If you could have been a member of any band (regardless of genre). Which band would you be a part of and the reasons why.

I’d want to me a member in Black a Sabbath, obviously... is there any other answer than that?!

Thanks for doing this interview. Before you go do you have anything to say to your fans. Best of luck with the new album.

WOMEN ARE POWERFUL. Be good, do good, and we thank very single person for the love and support!

Words by Steve Howe and Sunny

Thanks to Andy Turner for arranging this interview. Thanks to Sunny for doing this interview.

Blackwater Holylight debut album is now available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via RidingEasy Records

Links:

Instagram | BandCamp

GOZU - Equilibrium (Album Review)

Release date: April 13th 2018. Label: Blacklight Media/Metal Blade Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Equilibrium – Tracklisting

1.Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat 06:24

2.The People vs. Mr. T 07:13

3.King Cobra 05:03

4.Manimal 05:22

5.They Probably Know Karate 04:16

6.Prison Elbows 05:14

7.Stacy Keach 04:32

8.Ballad of ODB 10:59

Members

marc gaffney- vox/guitar

mike hubbard-drums

doug sherman- guitar

joe grotto- Bass

Review

Well….after two years listening and writing of music for Outlaws Of The Sun, I find myself reviewing the new album of my first ever band I reviewed for Steve, GOZU!

Their previous album, REVIVAL (Ripple Music), caught my attention thanks to their powerful style in the riffage and the wonderful voice of Marc, which always remind me the late Chris Cornell. Today, GOZU came back with EQUILIBRIUM (Metal Blade Records), an album able to masterfully handle fat-heavy-stoner riffs mixed with '70s psychedelic melodies. In EQUILIBRIUM, the band find a perfect mix between bands like MASTODON, BARONESS, HANG THE BASTARD and SOUNDGARDEN while keeping their own style in the songwriting. EQUILIBRIUM flows smoothly, never boring despite the length of the tracks, always above four minutes.

Songs like MANIMAL, PRISON ELBOWS and KING COBRA are example of how GOZU were able to manage all their influences, mixing grunge (listen the singing in KING COBRA), psychedelia (BALLAD OF ODB) and stoner in an absolutely exceptional product, always original and able to catch the listener, even those who still does not know the band.

The climax of EQUILIBRIUM is reached in BALLAD OF ODB, ten minutes of pure progressive expression (in the most literal sense of the term). In my opinion, this song contains all the essence of GOZU. There are rhythmic outbursts, there are solos in which to get lost is a moment, there is a perfect rhythm section, and there is the voice of Marc, the background to the worthy conclusion of a spectacular album.

Of course, it is true that I have a basic passion for GOZU, but it must be admitted that this album is, in my opinion, the greatest compositional and productive point of their career.

If you do not know GOZU, I’m sorry for you. Anyway, don’t worry, you still have time to redeem yourself. Buy this album and you never come back again!

Words by Bruno Bellisario

Thanks to Andy at Metal Blade Records for the promo. Equilibrium is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl from Metal Blade Records now.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

River Cult - Halcyon Days (Album Review)

Release date: 9^th February 2018. Label: Nasoni Records/Magnetic Eye Records/Blackseed. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Halcyon Days – Tracklisting

1.Likelihood of Confusion 07:19

2.The Sophist 11:56

3.Seething 07:31

4.Halcyon Daze 07:01

5.Point of Failure 07:59

Members

Sean Forlenza,

Anthony Mendolia,

Tav Palumbo

Review

So here I am breaking my self-imposed two week exile from reviewing albums to review an album. I just can’t keep away at times. However I've made an exception with the new album from Psychedelic Stoner Rockers – River Cult and their debut album – Halcyon Days.

Newly signed to Magnetic Eye Records, this album sees the band creating a huge vortex of different sounds that manages to successfully weave the different strands of Classic Rock with a leaner and heavier modern Stoner Rock groove.

Opening track – Likelihood Of Confusion – is pure Classic Rock nostalgia for the first few minutes as River Cult bring a seventies stadium rock sound before opening the doors to a heavy Progressive Stoner Rock vibe. The riffs have a “jam-based” feel to them with the band taking influence from All Them Witches and Earthless at times. Though River Cult have a few tricks up their sleeves to surprise people with. Around the fourth minute mark River Cult turn into a cinematic Post-Rock style band. Something that I didn’t expect at all. The whole feel and flow of the song changes for the better as the band introduce epic psychedelic sounds which becomes a common theme for the album.

Second track – The Sophist – opens with a progressive post-rock sound you would expect from the likes of Pelican or Russian Circles. Though the sound soon gives way to a more Post-Doom/Psych Stoner Rock style of music. The vocals are vastly different to the opening song. As they’re more forceful and even angrier at times. The powerful drum and bass combo allows River Cult to become a more powerful and cohesive unit. The thundering Post-Doom influences slowly take over as River Cult creates the albums standout track. With the song running past the eleven minute mark, River Cult has time to experiment with their sound and that they do. Different noises and sonic experimentation have a drone based feel.

Third track – Seething – sees River Cult carrying on the psychedelic stoner rock vibe with the band focusing on creating a more modern sounding atmosphere. The music has a slight alternative feel but for the most part this is another superbly played track by River Cult. The band exhibits the same sonic heaviness that Blue Cheer became famous for. This song has a similar feel to that legendary band. However River Cult adds a more progressive proto-doom metal sound. The psychedelic sounds are raw and ferocious at times. With River Cult providing the audience with another one of the albums finest songs.

Up next is the title track - Halcyon Daze – leaving the instrumental rock songs behind as the cool vocals appear. This song is another heavy slab of psychedelic riff worship. It has an Earthless style influence with the riffs having an epic cool “Jam” based sound. I would love to see and experience this song being performed LIVE. As River Cult expand their music to include elements of Spaced Out Rock that really allows their music to expand to higher levels of genuine excitement.

The final track Point of Failure is perhaps the one song that I have the most problems with. I’ll say this now it’s a very good song indeed. As River Cult play a more straight forward classic rock song. It lacks the originality and excitement of the other songs on the album. This song feels it was written and recorded by a different band. The song can be too slow at times though it’s still undeniably heavy when the mood gets going. The vocals aren’t as strong compared to the other songs on the album. However I admire River Cult’s ability to change their sound yet again and the song does contain some fantastically heavy classic rock riffs.

Halcyon Daze is expertly produced and the overall sound of the album is impressive indeed. River Cult is a genuinely exciting and hugely talented band that demands your attention. They’re perhaps one of the best “Power-Trio” style bands I’ve heard in a very long time. This is an album you need to listen over and over again to experience the full effect. River Cult has such an expansive and different sound compared to their more established peers. If River Cult aren’t performing at some of the world’s most prestigious Psych, Doom and Stoner Metal festivals in the next few years then there is no justice in the world.

Halcyon Daze is a must-have album. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Jadd at Red Lead Media & PR for the promo.

You can buy the vinyl here from Nasoni Records

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Somali Yacht Club - The Sea (Album Review)

Release date: January 22^nd 2018. Label: RobustFellow Prod (CD) / Kozmik Artifactz (Vinyl). Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Sea – Tracklisting

1. Vero

2. Religion Of Man

3. Blood Leave A Trail

4. Hydrophobia

5. 84 Days

6. Crows

Members

Mez - guitar, vocals

Artur - bass

Lesyk - drums

Review

Somali Yacht Club (SYC) returns with their eagerly awaited second album – The Sea. The Sea has the band in a more reflective and adventurous mood with the band exploring different sounds that reminds me of ISIS (The Band) in their prime. The Sea is very different to their celebrated debut album. As the more psychedelic Stoner/Post-Rock parts have been replaced by a more distinctive Doom/Post-Metal feel.

Opening track – Vero – opens with a long instrumental sound that sees the band blend Post-Rock, Doom, Psych and heavy Stoner riffs. The song is perhaps one of the most progressive songs that the band has written to date. The vocals from Mez appear around the fourth minute and it offers a sense of calm before the music starts to drift into doomier waters. The psychedelic post-rock/post-metal vibes do have a familiar vibe around them. SYC inject a more soothing experimental vibe that allows the music to flow naturally. The lyrics are very surreal at times with the band focusing more on musical progression and heavy melodic cinematic sounds.

Second track – Religion Of Man – return to their familiar shoegaze/post-rock ways. The vocals from Mez are calm and confident throughout. The lyrics match the overall nautical theme of the album. The song may start very quietly but it doesn’t end that way. As SYC move into heavier Stoner/Post-Metal territory with the song becoming more personal to the band. With this song lasting twelve minutes, SYC have a lot of ground to cover with the many different elements of music being played. This song is perhaps one of the best tracks on the album. As it’s very cinematic in scope with the band creating huge sounds that leave you wanting more.

Third track - Blood Leave A Trail – could have easily come from their last album. As it has a familiar sound for the opening moments before SYC bring their new found progressive Stoner/Post-Metal sound back to the forefront of the album. It has quite an alternative rock/metal feel to it as well. The success of the song rests on Somali Yacht Club’s superb ability to play the LOUD riffs against the more subtle Post-Rock QUIET moments. With the band adopting a shorter running time for this track, they could have easily ran out of ideas but to their credit, the whole mood of the album becomes even stronger as a result.

The final three songs – Hydrophobia, 84 Days and Crows capture the same beautifully heavy moments heard on the first half of the album. Though Somali Yacht Club still manages to experiment with their sound and create some haunting gloomy post-metal vibes that interact superbly well with the familiar Psychedelic Stoner Rock/Metal riffs the band is known for. Hydrophobia is most definitely a highlight. As the song starts off as a conventional instrumental post-rock/doom metal track before the band switch gears and make it a hard-rocking Stoner Metal number that can be considered as “head-banging” material.

The overall sound of The Sea is very diverse from the start. Somali Yacht Club is a very hard band to pigeon-hole and I think that’s the point with this album. The Sea is a challenging and complex album with many different themes and ideas that may take time to fully understand and perhaps even admire. The production is intense with the overall sound of the album being very loud and dynamic.

The Sea is a thrilling and beautifully made album from Somali Yacht Club. This is the type of album that could see the band perform or even headline on the more prestigious Doom/Stoner Metal festivals held around the world. Don’t be surprised if you see this album on a few best albums of the year lists in 2018 including my own.

Words by Steve Howe

The Sea will be available to buy on CD/DD via RobustFellow Prods and Vinyl via Kozmik Artifactz from January 22^nd 2018.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Opium Eater - ENNUI (Album Review)

Release date: October 12th 2017. Label: Art as Catharsis Records. Format: CD/DD

Ennui - Tracklisting

1.Collapse 04:25

2.The Effect Of A Tragedy On Its Spectators 08:35

3.Babelsteps 09:09

4.Post-Tense 10:19

5.(The Not-I) 02:44

6.Worry Is At The Door 07:29

7.Ennui 11:25

Members

Jesse Hill (Bass, Vocals)

Craig Leahy (Guitar, Vocals)

Sam Leamy (Guitar, Vocals)

Matt Hill (Drums)

Review

Opium Eater's debut album Ennui is one I've been struggling to review recently. As the album is very diverse and includes a wide range of different musical genres. My initial thoughts were that the album is quite complex and too clever for its own good at times. Within time I've come to admire Opium Eater's creativity and diverse range of sounds of the album. Drawing influence from bands such as Elder, Mastodon, Baroness, Russian Circles and Neurosis, this album does actually feel influenced by those amazing bands.

However Opium Eater create their own unique sounds on songs such as: Collapse, The Effect Of A Tragedy On It's Spectators, Babelsteps, Post-Tense and the brilliantly heavy title track Ennui.

Opening track Collapse is a post-rock/post-metal introduction to Opium Eater that I feel would work better as a closing track than an opening track. Still it gives you a brief glimpse on what to expect on the more mellower parts of the album.

Second track - The Effect Of A Tragedy On It's Spectators does take time for the band to find their purpose and let rip with a heavy Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal riff. The vocals are mighty impressive as one of the bands 3 vocalists opts for a hardcore/post-metal sound. The song whilst staying mostly melodic does contain heavy violent outbursts of post-hardcore/sludge metal aggression. The progressive rock/metal style fusion of the music allows the band to explore many different elements of music. Psych Rock. Post-Rock and even Alternative Rock. The clean vocals can feel out of place at times but you soon become accustomed to Opium Eater's way of delivering their music.

The rest of the album follows the same path as this track though Opium Eater does throw a few curve balls along the way. As they experiment with their sound at different parts of the album. They could be playing a straight forward Post-Rock/Stoner Rock riff before changing direction altogether and playing something more primal. The album maybe challenging and too complex at times but you can never call it boring. As Opium Eater really do create a truly rich sound of their own.

The lyrics are another highlight with Opium Eater writing highly intelligent lyrics that matches superbly well with the complex melodies. Ennui may have taken a long time for myself to truly appreciate and to respect the band for doing something different with the standard Progressive Sludge/Post-Metal sound.

This is an album that you need to take your time with and it becomes a much more rewarding and emotional experience because of this.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

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