Heavy On The Ride - Heavy On The Ride (Album Review)

Release Date: July 24th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD

Heavy On The Ride - Tracklist

On Deaf Ears

Red Walls

Somewhere In Between

Chef’s Kiss

Cheshire Cat Grin

Interludes

Almost Alive

Sunseeker

I Owe You Nothing

Catharsis

Album personnel

Jordan Huxtable - Guitars / Vocals

Michael Bale - Bass / Vocals

Jason Young - Drums

Heavy on the Ride current line up

Jordan Huxtable - Guitar / Vocals

Michael Bale - Bass / Vocals

Sam Wood - Drums

Ryan Williams - Guitar

Review

I still find it hard to believe that Heavy On The Ride have been going as a band since 2009 and they’re just getting round to releasing their self-titled debut album. The band have released various releases over the years and have shared the bill and stages with the likes Mondo Generator, B’Last, Avon, Alain Johannes, Star & Dagger, Hippie Death Cult, Black Moth, Green Lung, Sky Valley Mistress, Goat Major and more.

Their debut album is a mixture of classic grooves and super tight anthems inspired by the likes of Melvins, Baroness, Mastodon, BORIS, Torche, The Sword, Monster Magnet and QOTSA. That doesn’t tell half the story as Heavy On The Ride deliver a deliciously daring POP sound behind the scenes with melodic vocals and super-tight DOOM-POP melodies which have a certain Space Rock element to them. However, Heavy On The Ride aren’t afraid to explore some classic Alt Rock and mainstream elements whilst keeping close to a vibrant Sludge Rock attitude.

This is Sludge Rock and Stoner Metal with a danceable energy to it which comes on from the very start with sublime riff structures and some kick-ass Indie Rock sounds. The band always feel like they’re always one step ahead of the competition with the sudden appearance of Stadium Rock movements throughout the album but it’s when the pure metallic energy fully takes centre stage with a sudden influx of Space Rock soundscapes that makes this such a great album to fully explore.

With classic influences from the likes of TORCHE and QOTSA giving Heavy On The Ride a hip and happening sound of their own making. The songs vary in different styles of Sludgy Aggression with freaky amounts of Psychedelic flavours on different sections of the album. Songs such as On Deaf Ears, Red Walls, Somewhere In Between and Cheshire Cat Grin are the standout tracks within the first half of the record that allows Heavy On The Ride to set the whole scene on where the action packed second half that contains the best songs, sounds and experiences on the whole album.

As that’s where the band really find their creative rhythm where they deliver the heaviest and spaced out songs that actually become quite progressive on the likes of Interludes, Sunseeker, I Owe You Nothing and the amazing final track Catharsis that offers a sludgy instrumental of the highest order.

Heavy On The Ride can be quite experimental with perhaps that heavy MELVINS of areas of overlapping distortion and massive slabs of sludge rock hysteria allowing the vocals becoming quite freakish along the way. The sound can be quite abstract and zoned out but in the best possible way. Thanks to the great work by Joe Garcia and Jordan Huxtable on recording duties, Dave Tidmarsh on mixing duties and the legendary Brad Boatright on mastering duties. This is a powerful combination of gritty underground attitude which propels Heavy On The Ride’s debut album as one of the strongest and brilliantly entertaining debut albums I’ve had the pleasure to listen to this year.

Heavy On The Ride have delivered a record with massive potential that should only enhance their musical reputation onto bigger and better things.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Libbianski - Episode 1 (EP Review)

Release Date: December 04th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Episode 1 - Tracklisting

1.Continue The Sad 03:57

2.Steve French 04:26

3.Finding A Cure 04:44

Members

Kurt Williams - guitar/ vocals

Nat Reid - bass/ vocals

Tom LaHatte - drums

Review

Episode 1 is the debut EP from Libbianski who fuse Doom, Shoegaze, Post-Metal and Alt Metal that has a solid Doom-Pop foundation with the band playing similar sounds to bands such as TORCHE, HUM and Slow Crush. The record has quite an aggressive and vivid energy which I didn’t fully expect which comes out in full force within the excellent opening track of Continue The Sad. The harsh vocals from Kurt Williams (Guitar) are quite different from Nat Reid’s (Bass)  sublime Alt Metal and Punk Rock delivery.

The music moves from catchy Doom-Pop hooks to a gloriously delicious Post-Metal energy with a sludgy attitude forming throughout. Add a subtle Grunge and Noise Rock attitude which allows Libbianski to dominate the Doomgaze landscape. The lyrics are quite insightful but with a rebellious presence to them. That style of music continues within the outstanding second track Steve French which captures a slightly downbeat Nineties sounding melody with outbursts of Sludge Punk surroundings with the band following closely to their gloomy Pop hooks.

Libbianski are from Wellington, New Zealand which once again shows a different style of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal band to emerge from there with the likes of BEASTWARS, ULCERATE, Planet Of The Dead and Sidewinder impressing me over the years. Libbianski play their own great style of distorted sounds which takes a more warm hearted and disjointed approach within the final track Finding A Cure with Kurt’s and Nat’s vocals once again offering different styles and musical perspective. Tom LaHatte puts in a wonderfully understated performance on drums which makes everything tick throughout the whole EP.

Episode 1 is a superbly heavy, quirky and extremely delightful record with Libbianski offering a different style of Shoegaze that’s brimming with wonderful creativity. 

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp

Turtle Skull - Being Here (Album Review)

Release Date: May 23rd 2025. Record Label: Art As Catharsis / Copper Feast Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Being Here - Tracklisting

1.Being Here

2.Apathy 0

3.Into The Sun

4.Bourgeoisie

5.It Starts With Me 

6.Heavy As Hell 

7.Modern Mess

8.Moon & Tide

Members

Julian Frese - Bass guitar

Ally Gradon - Vocals, synths

Charlie Gradon - Vocals, drums

Dean McLeod - Vocals, guitars

Review

Aussie Psych Rockers Turtle Skull latest expedition into Neo-Psychedelic territory with their latest record Being Here is quite muted where the Doom/Stoner Metal aspect compared to their acclaimed 2020 record Monoliths. The band have lost two members since then and have gained Ally Gradon on Vocals and Synth duties. Being Here is still a glorious celebration of Heavy Psychedelic and Sonic based passages with a subtle Sludge Rock environment being stripped back that reminds me of Church Of The Cosmic Skull, Hawkwind and King Gizzard & The Lizzard Wizzard throughout.

Don’t forget the fuzzed up AMPLIFIER attitude of BLACK SABBATH with modern core Doom-Pop sound developing from the very start. The record is quite ethereal and slightly trippy over into Noise Rock, Indie Rock, Grunge and Pop surroundings which builds superbly from the sublime opening tracks of Being Here, Apathy and Into The Sun. 

There’s a dark and gloomy vibe appearing within the lyrics which counterbalances the soulful “POP” vocals from Ally Gradon, Charlie Gradon and Dean McLeod who sometimes all challenge for the position of lead vocalist. It’s quite a breathtaking and refreshing style of vocals to hear with the sludgy and stoner based grooves that remains true to Turtle Skull’s Neo Psychedelic creative vision.

With echoes of distorted amplifiers, sound loops and fuzzy reverb capturing a twisted style of Sixties and Seventies Psych Rock which never loses its sweet natured sounds, themes and uplifting identity despite the seedy and gritty underbelly that develops within the longer instrumental passages on the album. 

One of the main strengths of Being Here is Turtle Skull’s fearless attitude of experimenting with distorted areas of Fuzz, Doom, Prog, Psych, Stoner and Sludge based dynamics. This is quite a subversive record with Turtle Skull being quite philosophical on tracks such as Into The Sun, Bourgeoisie, It Starts With Me, Heavy As Hell and Moon & Tide.

There’s something for everyone to enjoy on Being Here with it’s delicious, addictive and highly aggressive energy which resonates a very HIP and COOL environment especially with the stripped back production values and recording techniques used for the entire album.

Turtle Skull have once again released an album that can easily be described as RETRO, OLD SCHOOL and brilliantly modern at the same time. With a bold, jagged and direct experimental sound that fully delivers within the riffs, thrills, spills and grooves department. If you dig your Heavy Psychedelic music with extra SPICE and AGGRESSION well Turtle Skull would like to have a word with you. 

Being Here is a masterclass of Heavy Psych based Doom/Stoner Rock that feels like a record for the ages….

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Creative Eclipse PR for the promo.

Being Here is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via the links below

Art As Catharsis

Copper Feast Records

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

SOM - Let The Light In (Album Review)

Release Date: March 14th 2025. Record Label: Pelagic Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Let The Light In - Tracklisting

1.Don't Look Back

2.Let The Light In 04:07

3.Chemicals 05:12

4.The Place That I Belong

5.Give Blood 04:22

6.Nightmares 04:44

7.Under Streetlights

8.The Light

Members

Will Benoit (Voice, Bass, Guitar, Electronics)

Justin Forrest (Drums, Bass)

Mike Repasch-Nieves (Guitar, Piano)

Joel Reynolds (Guitar, Synth)

Review

Post-Rock/Psych/Doomgazers SOM are back with their new album Let The Light In where they aim for bigger, heavier and grander things which ranks as their most original record to date. Featuring members of JUNIUS, Caspian and Constants, the members know how to perfectly construct a song with a deeply emotional core which allows the sweeping vocals and heavy progressive sounds to aim for the sweet spot. Though, SOM have created their heaviest record yet with outbursts of Sludge Rock, Post-Metal and Progressive based melodies.

The sound is still part of the Space Rock world with a passing resemblance to HUM and CAVE IN. SOM still moves into areas of Atmospheric Doom-Pop heard on their last record The Shape Of Everything. There is a perfect balance of LOUD vs QUIET dynamics where SOM blend Stadium Rock sized commercial melodies with a heavier underground perspective when the record becomes interested in delivering Sludge Rock/Metal grooves which can be quite forward thinking in places.

The opening tracks of Don’t Look Back and Let The Light In allows SOM to play a style of music heard on their last couple records but with a clearer Post-Rock and Shoegaze narrative with the excellent vocals from Will Benoit being quite grounded. There's a level of GRAVITAS to the way how Will delivers his vocals which could easily be matched against any musical genre and still sound brilliantly original in their own right. The instrumental melodies veer into heavier moments and then transform into more lighter fare with SOM adding different multi-layered Psychedelic and Space Rock effects with a subtle Post-Drone energy to them.

The album never feels rushed with SOM trying their hand at different areas of music we haven’t experienced from them before, especially on tracks such as Chemicals, The Place I Belong, Nightmares and Under Streetlights. Their music can be quite bleak and is wonderfully deceptive with the Doom-Pop elements allowing things to be underplayed at times.

There is a subtle DEFTONES energy resonating on the later stages of the record that I only noticed and wholly appreciated after multiple listens which made me love the record even more. Everything is still wholly original with SOM standing firm on their own creative ground.

Let The Light In excels the most where SOM overlap different sound effects, vocals and progressive Space Rock sounds with deeply engaging lyrics that makes this album quite a cinematic trip told through the power of music. The Synths and Piano aspects are another highlight for me as these add a sense of realism to SOM’s music especially within the quieter moments of the record.

SOM have released a massive sounding record that will no doubt be classed as one of Post-Rock/Shoegaze most essential albums to own this year. This could be a game changer for SOM on future releases and I’m quite excited to see the journey the band venture onto next. As I cannot recommend this album highly enough. 

Let The Light In is simply unmissable.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Pelagic Records for the promo.

Let The Light In will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Pelagic Records from Friday 14th March 2025.

Links

 

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Vordermann - Feeding On Flowers (EP Review)

Release Date: March 07th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Feeding On Flowers - Track Listing:

Cloudpiercer

Delirium Tremors

Saint Banger (The Lars Ulrich Torrent Finder General Drum Circle Experience)

Members

Alex Bennett - Synths

Peter Hill - Guitars

Matthew Jones - Percussion & Vocals

Philip Malpass - Guitar & Vocals

Joe Palmer - Guitar & Vocals

Review

Feeding On Flowers is the debut EP from Doom/Sludge/Stoner Rockers Vordermann who bring a blend of uplifting Doom-Pop sensibilities to their music with flashes of Post-Rock, Shoegaze and Alt Rock. Vordermann are influenced by the likes of TORCHE, HUM, FLOOR, MASTODON, MELVINS and BIG BUSINESS with one foot still remaining in the 1990’s Alt Rock scene.

The EP only lasts for about seventeen minutes but there’s a lot to admire here with Vordermann tapping into the Shoegaze tapestries of HUM which almost branch into Post-Metal surroundings at times. However, the music is mostly fuelled by the early EP’s of the legendary TORCHE with poppy vocals from Matthew Jones, Philip Malpass and Joe Palmer all showing a very cool Alt Rock/Stoner based style which is grounded by Pop/Stadium Rock sounds.

The opening track of Cloudpiercer is fuelled by bombastic Sludge/Doom-Pop grooves with that sublime Shoegaze/Sludge aggressive energy which manifests into some classic TORCHE/FLOOR inspired heavy pounding instrumental passages. Vordermann have included a highly unusual soundclip from the classic movie Breakfast At Tiffany’s where George Peppard’s character Paul Varjak lays it on the line to Audrey Hepburn’s character Holly Golightly. This speech adds a deeply emotional quality to the song whilst being quite superbly funny at the same time though just for the inclusion on this track alone.

Second track Delirium Tremors is a straight up banger with Vordermann building upon their Sludge/Doom-Pop sound with an epic blast of Progressive Sludge/Stoner Rock melodies which harnesses the power of MELVINS and BIG BUSINESS with the complexities of Mastodon. The vocals are once again poppy and bittersweet with Vordermann allowing their music to grow naturally and offer the listener with a wide assortment of different heavy musical styles. Though, the later stages are perhaps softer with a soulful Post-Rock and Doom-Pop approach.

The third track Saint Banger (The Lars Ulrich Torrent Finder General Drum Circle Experience) is the standout track on the EP with the brilliant and highly original premise of using Lars Ulrich quotes set against a Space Rock backdrop with movements of Drone, Post-Rock and Ambient textures for the first part of the song. The second part sees a muscular and aggressive style of music come into play with Vordermann inspired by the likes of Pelican and Russian Circles before returning to the EP’s earlier sounds. This track does have quite a dark comedic vision with the message based on the ramblings of Lars Ulrich unless I’ve completely missed the whole point of the track. Whatever the creative theme, this is a haunting and beautifully played track which shows a different side to Vordermann.

Feeding On Flowers is a stunning and superbly creative EP boosted by a wealth of different heavy sounds that explore the soulful side of the Doom, Sludge and Stoner underground scene. Vordermann reminds me of fellow ELEPHANT TREE and if they release more superb records such as this then they could have a similar career and impact within the underground scene as that great band as well.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Vordermann for the promo.

Feeding On Flowers will be available to buy digitally from Friday 07th March 2025.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram | Sonicbids | Beacons

ZOLLE - Rosa (Album Review)

Release Date: May 03rd 2024. Record Label: Subsound Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Rosa - Tracklisting

1.Pepe 

2.Lana

3.Toffolette e Zuccherini

4.Merda

5.Pompon

6.Pois

7.Confetto

8.Fiorellino

9.Fiocco video

10.Maialini e Maialine

Members

 

STEFANO - DRUMS & PERCUSSIONS

MARCELLO - GUITARS & VOCALS

Review

Rosa is the new full length album from Italian Sludge/Noise/Stoner Rockers ZOLLE and the band are back with another buoyant new record which is outlandish and offers the listener a brilliantly uplifting good time. Embracing the wilder side of Stoner Metal with a playful attitude with a plethora of Psychedelic Noises, Ambient Sounds and a fantastic sense of Doom-Pop melodies spliced throughout the whole album.

Opening track Pepe feels partially inspired by TORCHE in places but with ZOLLE adding a chaotic energy with Sludge Rock beats that’s quite aggressive and fast paced when it wants to be. Shades of Experimental energy appear that has a slight Melvins vibe but allowing ZOLLE to perform the music they’re wonderfully known for. 

Second track Lana continues with the frantic Sludge/Noise Rock theatrics with the heavy pounding drums from Stefano building up a wall of Psychedelic Waves for Marcello to add his jagged guitars that combine for another energetic round of high voltage Sludge/Stoner Rock. ZOLLE have a great talent of writing sublime uplifting songs without the need for harsh abrasive atmospherics and this track proves that point whilst still bringing a fresh round of HEAVY GROOVES to head-bang to.

Third track Toffolette e Zuccherini is a more subdued track with a lush sounding Post-Rock score and exquisite vocals appearing with soulful Doom-Pop melodies soon changing into more heavy based Sludge/Stoner instrumental jams. This is perhaps my favourite track on the album and perhaps one of my favourite ever tracks that I’ve heard from ZOLLE. As the uplifting energy from the track is highly infectious with the track being constantly HEAVY without the need of being HEAVY at the same time.

ZOLLE continues with the Noise Rock angle for the next few tracks of Merda, Pompon and Pois with that aggressive Sludge/Stoner melodic angle that’s being the more dominant attitude of the album which can be quite flashy and overpowering at times. However, the addictive and warm natured energy allows ZOLLE to experiment across the musical spectrum especially with the fabulous vocals that are quite catchy even when set against the Punk Rock backdrop that appears from time-to-time.

The final stages of the album is where the heaviest and surreal moments of the record appear whilst still retaining the zany creative attitude of the earlier stages of the album with tracks such as Confetto, Fiocco Video and Maialini e Maialine being the other standout tracks on an already wild, varied and highly inventive album such as Rosa.

Rosa is perhaps ZOLLE’s most brilliantly original record to date and may end up becoming one of the most exciting and wildest albums to be released this year. Another ALBUM OF THE YEAR contender is right here. Absolutely superb. No question.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Rosa will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Subsound Records from Friday May 3rd 2024.

Links

Official | BandCamp | Linktree

Burning Realm - Face The Fire (EP Review)

Release Date: March 22nd 2024. Record Label: Tapes Of Wrath. Formats: Cassette/DD

Face The Fire - Tracklisting

1.Homosapien 04:32

2.From Beyond 03:33

3.Face The Fire 05:00

4.Warped One (Arise) 03:11

Members

Michael 'Owensie' Owens (guitar and vocals)

Tob Swift (guitar)

Ror Conaty (drums)

Review

Face The Fire is the debut EP from Psych Stoner Metallers Burning Realm who are from Dublin, Ireland features current and ex-members of No Spill Blood (Svart / Sargent House Records), Venus Sleeps, Wizards of Firetop Mountain, Mongolia, Realistic Train, and Puget Sound.

Burning Realm’s overall sound is dominated and influenced by bands such as Thin Lizzy, Torche, Floor, Thin Lizzy, Sleep and even Yawning Man. There’s also a kinetic Punk Rock energy heard within the down-tuned Sludgy grooves that allows Burning Realm to have a deep meaningful DOWN-TUNED approach and Amplifier Worship melody to their music.

Opening track Homosapien takes that classic style of Sludge/Doom-Pop/Stoner Metal riffage that FLOOR and TORCHE were closely associated with. Burning Realm adds a murky Psychedelic vision and Shamanic Chants within their vocal delivery. The song can be quite meditative and with weird Psychedelic acoustic guitars still retaining a Droned Out melodic energy. The mood is quite out there and wonderfully trippy.

Second song From Beyond channels the High On Fire and Big Business way of life with a classic mid-nineties Stoner Metal attitude from Michael’s vocals. The frantic guitars both played by Michael and Tob works superbly well with Burning Realm offering their own great blend of upbeat and aggressive guitar solos that becomes more impressive when the strands of Classic Hard Rock appear which is then changes to a more chaotic blend of Sludge/Stoner Metal instrumental heaviness and Psychedelic exploration.

The final two tracks Face The Fire and Warped One (Arise) continue that musical journey with flashes of early era The Sword and KYLESA coming from Burning Realm and a soulful sonic interchange with epic drumming from Ror Conaty. Perhaps the most technically impressive and most interesting creative sounds appear within Face The Fire with Burning Realm taking their music into a more Progressive direction.

Face The Fire is a vastly entertaining debut EP which offers a kick-ass style of modern day Sludge/Stoner Metal which I’m hoping to see a more substantial release from Burning Realm in the future. The EP is full of interesting and action packed grooves that leave you wanting to hear more. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Super Fi Records for the promo.

Face The Fire will be available to buy on Cassette/Digital Download from Tapes Of Wrath (part of SuperFi Records) from Friday 22nd March 2024.

Links

BandCamp | Instagram