Stay Dead - Beneath The Weight Of Worlds (Album Review)

Release Date: July 24th 2026. Record Label: Ripple Music. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Beneath The Weight Of Worlds - Tracklist

1. Empty Pages

2. White Noise (feat. Troy Sanders)

3. Electric Mistress (feat. Matt Pike)

4. Chrysalis (feat. Eryka Fir and Aiwass)

5. What Happened To Rock N' Roll

6. Fever Dog (Original cover)

Lineup

Ryan Garney – Vocals

Rusty Miller – Lead guitar

Blake Carrera – Guitars & synths

Christopher Borrelli – Bass

Kenny Shillingburg – Drums

Review

Stay Dead is the latest supergroup to emerge from the Heavy Underground scene who are made up of members from High Desert Queen, Hollow Light and Fear The Victor, However, that only tells half the story with guest appearances from legends such as Matt Pike and Troy Sanders. You also have appearances from Eryka Fir (Coma Hole) and AIWASS along for the ride. Stay Dead’s debut album Beneath The Weight Of Worlds is quite a complex, brooding, philosophical and emotionally charged statement of the human condition.

The record blends levels of Doom, Sludge, Stoner Metal, Prog Metal and Psychedelic elements with some detours into areas of Post-Rock, Thrash, Space Rock and Groove. This is a very multi-layered record from the very start with influences ranging from Mastodon, High On Fire, ELDER and NEUROSIS with also the band’s members ever present musical projects. Lead vocalist Ryan Garney seems to be everywhere these days and that’s a good thing where he can shine a light to his incredible vocals once more. 

Ryan leaves the musical heavy lifting to his colleagues and famous friends where they all brilliantly succeed in laying down pummelling grooves that will give your body a tough physical challenge whilst rewarding your mental wellbeing when everything is said and done. The whole record relies on hard-hitting lyrics and intense vocals which come alive through tracks such as Empty Pages, White Noises, Electric Mistress and Chrysalis. 

Beneath The Weight Of Worlds does have a grimy and sludgy exterior where the Post-Doom and Post-Stoner thematics work amazingly well with the intense gloomy melodic moments. The most hard-hitting track has to be the excellent second track White Noise which really does touch upon some tough themes which gives Stay Dead a more vindictive appearance than you initially realise until you hear the actual song which leaves you on a more hopeful message.

The flashes of Post-Whatever and Psychedelic melodies is a great way for Stay Dead to introduce a natural way of creative storytelling with the guest appearances of their friends to find common ground to play great music with. The majority of the album is emotionally wrought with complex grooves allowing Stay Dead to align themselves more closely to the likes of Pallbearer and YOB but with a distinctive Hard Rock quality keeping everything grounded.

However, I will say my favourite aspect or track of the album is Stay Dead’s insane and gloriously entertaining cover of the classic track Fever Dog. Fever Dog is from the classic movie Almost Famous. A classic movie directed by Cameron Crowe which was inspired by his early days in the Seventies working for Rolling Stone Magazine and being shown the seedier side of the Heavy Rock scene from the legendary bands of the day. If you haven’t seen the movie then I implore you to watch it now. Watch both versions, the theatrical cut and the even better director’s cut.

Within that movie, there’s a fictional band called Stillwater whose “famous” track “Fever Dog” is played throughout the movie. That song was written by Nancy Wilson of the band Heart and film director Cameron Crowe. This track is pure Seventies HARD ROCK excess but Stay Dead give this a slamming modern day Sludge Rock/Stoner Rock makeover which stays true to the original. (Apologies for the slight historical lesson there. Almost Famous is one of my all-time favourite movies).

Beneath The Weight Of Worlds is how a “supergroup” should deliver their debut album with its fearless attitude and non-stop supply of impactful grooves from start to finish. The legendary record label Ripple Music is releasing this album so you know this is going to sound great. As Ripple Music never put out a bad record within their entire lifetime. 

As we say sometimes in the United Kingdom, Beneath The Weight Of Worlds is the “MUTTS NUTS” or “DOGS BOLLOCKS”  which means outstanding, top-quality, or one of the absolute best things out there. Well, you get the picture!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Beneath The Weight Of Worlds is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music. 

Links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

US Doom Metal Giants THE OBSESSED sign to Heavy Psych Sounds!

American doom metal icons THE OBSESSED have inked a worldwide deal with Heavy Psych Sounds Records for the release of their new studio album in 2027.

The Obsessed is a rock band. A fucking HARD rock band. Since their formation in 1978, they have become known around the world for their influential contribution to the origins and continued legacy of the doom metal and underground hard rock genres. The distinctive vocals and guitar wizardry of founder and driving force Scott “Wino” Weinrich has left a mark on the world of heavy music that continues to inspire.

The Obsessed gained momentum in the Baltimore/DC area of the USA in the early to mid 1980’s during the height of the hardcore punk movement. Often cited as the band that bridged heavy metal and punk together, the band gained the respect of punk heavyweight contemporaries Black Flag, The Bad Brains, and Minor Threat, to name a few. The attitude and spirit of The Obsessed have led many to regard them as “America’s Motorhead”.

Wino went on to join the doom metal giants Saint Vitus as lead singer on seminal albums including 1986’s Born Too Late. In 1990, The Obsessed came back with their eponymous debut album, The Obsessed. This album was quickly followed by 1991’s Lunar Womb and 1994’s The Church Within. All three of these albums shaped and paved the way for future heavy rock bands and the doom scene as it’s known today. Wino’s gift for prose and his never-ending search for truth and meaning allow his words to hit as heavy as the riffs he plays.

Although The Obsessed went on a hiatus after The Church Within’s release on Columbia Records, Wino’s sheer passion and prolific nature led him to pursue many other critically acclaimed projects such as Spirit Caravan, The Hidden Hand, Shrinebuilder and various acoustic releases. Long-time fan Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters) specifically asked Wino to perform on his all-star Probot album, released in 2004. In 2012, Wino rejoined Saint Vitus until the worldwide cry for The Obsessed could no longer be denied, and in 2016, he reunited the band once and for all and has been kicking ass and taking names ever since. Drummer Brian “Dawg” Costantino joined the band at this time. The band signed to Relapse Records and recorded 2017’s Sacred, an album showing The Obsessed back with pure vengeance, bringing the band back to venues and festival stages around the world.

In 2022, the band became a four-piece with the addition of Chris Angleberger on bass and Jason Taylor on guitar. They have been touring heavily since and have been seen on USA and European festival stages such as Hellfest, Freak Valley Festival, Snowblind Festival and Desertfest. The band’s latest record, Gilded Sorrow, was released in early 2024 on Ripple Music and lauded as a "must-listen for fans of the genre and a compelling entry point for newer voyagers into the world of doom" by Metal Hammer and "the best the band has ever sounded" by Ghost Cult Magazine.

The Obsessed welcomed heavy rock titan Bob Pantella (also Monster Magnet) to the lineup as their new drummer in 2025, marking a new chapter in their legacy. Now, in 2026, the band has signed to Heavy Psych Sounds and is working on their new album, which release date is yet to be announced. The Obsessed are here to stay. "IF IT AIN’T HEAVY… IT AIN’T SHIT!!!"

Frontman Scott "Wino" Weinrich declares: "We are very happy to announce The Obsessed signing with the premier hard rock label Heavy Psych Sounds! The Obsessed is currently finishing the next full-length record, which will be released with HPS. Stay tuned, and thanks to all who believe."

THE OBSESSED is

Scott "Wino" Weinrich — Guitar, Vocals
Jason Taylor — Guitar
Chris Angleberger — Bass
Bob Pantella — Drums

THE OBSESSED Links:

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Temple King - Temple King (Album Review)

Release Date: July 10th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Released. Formats: DD

Temple King - Tracklist

1.Necromancer 05:54

2.When Darkness Comes 04:28

3.The Sleeper Awakens 05:10

4.Goeita 08:54

5.Morgwar 03:20

6.War Messiah 05:56

7.Temple King 04:23

8.Barsoom 14:56

Members

LWV: Vocals, Guitar, and Synth

Samhain: Vocals, Guitar, and Bass

Ozzy (Oscar Clitheroe): Drums and Backing Vocals

Review

Temple King are a fairly new band who only formed back in January 2026 and they’ve already decided to release their debut album. Temple King plays a sludgy mix of Doom, Psych, Stoner, Heavy Metal and a vicious Desert Rock sound. The album has a lo-fi and stripped back flow appearing within the production and recording process the record ultimately contains. There’s a frenzied and distorted attitude that appears very early on within the record with opening tracks Necromancer and When Darkness Comes. 

The songs are perhaps more Doom/Sludge Metal with small outbursts of Stoner Rock/Metal attitude appearing but Temple King becomes more part of the WEEDIAN culture when everything is finished. It’s not the best sounding record but this allows Temple King to rely on pure BRUTE FORCE to get their music across with influences such as CONAN, ELECTRIC WIZARD and HIGH ON FIRE being used to great effect.

The LOW & SLOW and DISTORTED musical surroundings can be quite long drawn out with a slow-paced delivery that only adds to the menacing attitude of Temple King especially with the gruff, grizzled and muscular vocals that are provided by LWV, Samhain and Ozzy along the way. The music is a different story with Temple King drawing a wide range of different musical styles that will satisfy the most jaded of underground metal fans. Things can be quite grimy, seedy and with the amplified heaviness being too much to listen to at times which proves how Temple King knows how to write, form, play and deliver a violent FUZZY groove when you least expect it.

It’s also great to hear Temple King playing classic Heavy Metal and Doomed Out themes which adds a gloomy sense of scorched earth heaviness on tracks such as: The Sleeper Awakens, Goeita, War Messiah and the epic standout track of Barsoom. These tracks allow Temple King to forge new sounds powered by a great style of Prog Metal with a MASTODON element fully taking charge. You can still expect to hear some classic Heavy Metal and Stoner Metal sounds which results in some epic instrumental solos being played from everyone involved.

The rough and ready approach from Temple King gives this a highly undeniable charm which could come from the underground Rock/Metal scene. Temple King even adds some cool sounding Post-Doom and Synth heavy soundscapes amongst the frenzied atmospherics that fully sells their own great story from start to finish. 

This is a deliriously warped and fuzzed up musical adventure with Temple King never being afraid of being absolutely outrageous on certain sections of the record whilst also conjuring up superb riffs that you can’t help but violently head-bang to in absolute full agreement.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Darren Ironside - The Nothing (Album Review)

Release Date: July 03rd 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

The Nothin - Tracklist

1.Next Stop Hell 00:46

2.The Nothing 03:34

3.Witches Of Essex 02:11

4.Forgotten Dream 03:21

5.Nebula Rising 01:47

6.Overwatch and Control 03:58

7.To The Gallows 04:05

8.Through The Darkness 03:05

9.Planets Collide 03:42

Members

Darren Ironside - Everything

Review

The Nothing is the latest album from Darren Ironside who used to be formally known as MIDNIGHT WHISKEY MASSACRE. It seems that Darren has retired from that project and decided to become a fully fledged solo artist with this highly confident offering. If you’ve heard that great band before then you know what to expect with The Nothing. However, this is way more political than I originally anticipated which you can hear from the very first song Next Stop Hell. 

This record has a deeply subversive political message that’s played out against a backdrop of Punk Rock, Heavy Metal, Doom Metal, Proto-Metal and Stoner Metal sounds. The whole thing is quite gritty with true DIY production values being employed all the way though. Darren Ironside is quite good at writing socially aware lyrics set against a backdrop of HEAVY METAL sounds influenced by the likes of Metallica, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and FU MANCHU.

Darren fully taps into that playful and rebellious delivery with this record sounding as if The Sex Pistols or The Clash fully went down the HEAVY METAL route. There’s nothing progressive or flashy about how Darren delivers his music on the record and that’s no bad thing. This album has a “ZERO FUCKS GIVEN” attitude which makes it more enjoyable with grooves that are laced with political attitude and a big UP YOURS message to the establishment. The great use of soundclips from classic TV shows and movies only hammers the message home but it’s the great musical work that Darren employs here that’s the real standout.  As Darren is an excellent musician playing everything on The Nothing. 

Standout tracks include: The Nothing, Witches Of Essex, Forgotten Dream, Overwatch and Control and Planets Collide where Darren shows a quintessential BRITISH attitude but don’t let that put you off. It’s an essential message that can be used in any part of the world in today’s troubling climate. If you’re here for the music that’s fine as well with Darren playing a massive amount of great sounds to fully lose yourself in.

Some of the songs messages don’t fully reach their target but the music is always superb and the great use of dramatic storytelling when Darren uses his abrasive Punk Rock vocals set against gloomy soundbytes. The Nothing is a solid creative work which will perhaps gain a cult following within the underground scene and there’s really a lot to admire here. Though, some of the dark political themes may put some folks off and that’s a shame as there’s some excellent music bursting from the seams.

Check this out when you can as you’ll be in shock and awe in what awaits you!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Slow Goat - Where The Wisest Fear To Tread (Album Review)

Release Date: July 10th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Where The Wisest Fear To Tread - Tracklist

1. Downward (0:57)

2. Fallen Child (4:23)

3. Visions / Fell Ritual (10:52)

4. Love Like Water (4:21)

5. Dark Procession (7:42)

6. Wilting (6:40)

7. Sisyphus (4:43)

8. Under the Glass (6:38)

Members

Rosie Peterson - Vocals

Danel Black - Guitar

Adam Carter - Bass

Eric Bloombaum - Drums

Review

Slow Goat’s debut album Where The Wisest Fear To Tread takes a more revisionist take on the Heavy Psych based Doom/Stoner Metal journey compared to other bands. As they adapt their music to be influenced by different eras of Proto-Metal, Psych, Grunge, Desert Rock and Hard Rock for a more atmospheric sound which is boosted by some sublime Spaced Out landscapes.

The record is mostly dominated by the Nineties Heavy Rock Scene with Slow Goat suddenly shifting into different musical timelines whenever the need calls for this which you can fully experience within the opening tracks of Downward, Fallen Child and Visions / Fell Ritual. The lists of influences are perhaps endless with Slow Goat lovingly borrowing or appreciating musical themes we’ve heard before but moulded in their great way and that’s down to the excellent use of scorched Desert Rock soundscapes.

Slow Goat are quite brooding even within the most reflective and quietest parts of the record with the amazing third track Visions / Fell Ritual that feels like Acid King, King Buffalo, Yawning Man, KYUSS and Windhand playing together in one massive jamming session. The production values are mostly stripped back and that’s down to the excellent work by Eddie Brnabic (Hippie Death Cult) on engineering and mixing duties. You also have the legendary GRUNGE MAESTRO Jack Endino on mastering duties which gives the record quite a vivid seedy appetite especially within the haunting Doomed Out pastures that transform into atmospheric Post-Rock / Desert Rock segments to fry your brain with.

Lead vocalist Rosie Peterson has an immense Blues Rock / Doom / Occult Rock presence throughout this album with some cool sounding Classic Hard Rock and Proto-Metal deliveries which never outstay their welcome. The rest of the band provide fulfilling, catchy and aggressive sonic measures that allow Slow Goat to become quite dirty when the FUZZ ROCK energy appears on tracks such as Visions / Fell Ritual. Love Like Water, Dark Procession, Wilting and Sisyphus.

The lyrics sometimes have a deep fantastical element to them but Slow Goat manage to keep everything grounded and running smoothly with the distorted and grimy Doom, Desert Rock, Psych and Stoner Rock providing plenty of massive sounding amplified jams to fully lose yourself in.

Slow Goat provide the most heaviest and interesting grooves on the record when they focus on providing longer drawn out sounds that even manage to provide an air of mystery into the overall creative theme of the whole journey that the album provides. 

Where The Wisest Fear To Tread is a superbly executed debut album delivered by a hugely talented band that knows how to write a collection of great songs whilst injecting their own creative identity into the mix which will leave you emotionally satisfied and begging for more.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.

Where The Wisest Fear To Tread is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl

Links 

Facebook |  LinkTree | Instagram | YouTube | BandCamp

Doom/Heavy/Stoner Metallers OCCULT MASTER New Single HEAVY METAL MADNESS Out Now From Forthcoming New Album

Promo picture by Emil Risto

The Finnish Heavy Doom band Occult Master are set to release their self-titled debut album on August 14th 2026 via Inverse Records. The third single and music video 'Heavy Metal Madness' out now on all essential streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/occult-master-heavy-metal-madness

The band comments:

"Fast, dark and heavy, this song is a relentless, raw homage to the origins of technical heavy and trash metal. The track delves into the dark recesses of the mind, the delusions of madness, and the excruciating pain of life’s finiteness. Catchy riffs and technical interludes alternate with a maddening logic. This track will get your head bobbing and your fists pumping! Even the most stoned listener will wake up from their slumber and start singing along to the easily adopted chorus ! The icing on the cake, and a real treat for guitarists, is the modern and complex hero solo. "

BIOGRAPHY:

"Occult Master was founded in 2012 in Oulu, Finland, first starting as a heavy rock/doom band. After a line‑up change in 2020, the musical style turned faster, more rhythmic and more complex. Occult Master’s music is heavy, versatile and full of nuances, ranging from full‑throttle metal blasting to quiet, subtle and beautifully eerie musical landscapes. The band’s roots lie strongly in the classic heavy metal of the 1970s and 1980s. The songs are delivered in a hardy, straightforward and no‑nonsense style. In the dark‑toned music, the lyrics deal with different matters of life and the world in general, and at times even horror stories told with a devilish grin.

LISTEN to the first single 'Island of Leper': https://push.fm/fl/occult-master-island
LISTEN to the second single 'Gnarly Geezer': https://push.fm/fl/occult-master-gnarly-geezer

Occult Master - Occult Master (Album 2026) - Track list:

1. Just Another Nail in the Failier's Coffin
2. Island of Leper
3. Heavy Metal Madness
4. Lucifer's Henchman
5. Ground of the Damned
6. Who Is Our Enemy
7. Sorry Soul
8. Soothing Swamp
9. Gnarly Geezer

Recorded by Jussi Risto
Mixed & mastered by Kimmo Lukkari
Cover art by Jarno Vesa

CD PRE-ORDERS from HERE.

Occult Master are:

Ari Eskola – guitars and vocals
Toni Mäki – bass and backing vocals
Jussi Risto – drums

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/occultmasterband
https://occultmaster.bandcamp.com

Thanks to Inverse Records for the details.

Witchsorrow - The Devil And All His Works (Album Review)

Release Date: July 03rd 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Devil And All His Works - Tracklist

1.Omnia Finiuntur

2.Bacchus 06:30

3.Hades Chains 06:27

4.Altar

5.In Triumph We Rot!!!

6.Lamentation

7.A Quintessence Of Dust

Members

Nick Ruskell - guitar/vocals

Emily Ruskell - bass

Scott Taylor - drums

David Wilbraham - drums (on album)

Review

Doom Metal legends Witchsorrow with their fifth album The Devil And All His Works which marks their first album in over eight years. Witchsorrow still preaches the work of the Dark Overlords Of Doom Metal with shades of Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus and Electric Wizard appearing but with Witchsorrow crafting their own thrilling down-tuned blend of soulful misery. The record has a dark occult and satanic vibe which isn’t surprising since the whole theme  is taken from an occult book by legendary author Dennis Wheatley.

Witchsorrow never forget the powerful SABBATHIAN amplified sounds that is a classic mark of the entire DOOM METAL scene but it’s how the band include other areas of music to weave into their dark nightmarish sound such as Thrash, Heavy Metal, Psych and massive amounts of bone crushing FUZZ. The songs all have a powerful level of distorted melodies which embraces the dark creative themes that lead vocalist Nick Ruskell aka NECROSKULL gleefully and happily sings about. 

There is an abstract level of progressive pitch-black distortion being delivered within the epic opening track Omnia Finiuntur with the undeniable bass line of Emily Ruskell once again terrorizing the atmosphere with violently played sounds that provide a dark contrast to Nick’s gloomy guitars and David Wilbraham’s epic drumming. This is David’s final involvement with Witchsorrow and this album is an epic swansong to end his time with the band. 

The rest of the album follows the dark, gloomy and distorted path of the opening track but Witchsorrow allows themselves to play around with straight-forward riff-centric deliveries. The band still keeps themselves closely aligned to the land of Occult Doom Metal with surprising musical developments happening that breathes new life into the Witchsorrow legend especially on tracks Bacchus, Hades Chains, Altar and A Quintessence Of Dust.

The record sees some very cool guest stars appear on tracks Hades Chains featuring Serena Cherry of Svalbard/Noctule) and A Quintessence Of Dust featuring Employed To Serve’s Sammy Urwin. It’s on these tracks alone that features the heaviest, brutal and violent sounds to appear on the record. This shows how Witchsorrow are quite open to move their music into heavier genres they’re not widely associated with but still incorporating their own classic style of Doom Metal. 

The Devil And All His Works is a masterclass of Doom Metal where Witchsorrow adapts all the different levels that legendary genre fully contains. However, they embrace all styles of HEAVY METAL for this album alone which gives The Devil And All His Works a highly unpredictable sound that’s dominated by a band who are at the peak of their creative powers. 

This is DOOM METAL of the highest order and one record you can simply describe as purely unmissable!!!

Thanks to Church Road Records for the promo.

The Devil And All His Works is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Church Road Records.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

LinkTree | BandCamp | Instagram

Mama Doom Reveal Full Details Of New Album "Eminent Womb"; New Single And Video "Woven Linen" Out Now

New York's Coven Core visionaries Mama Doom are proud to unveil the full details of the band's highly anticipated new album, "Eminent Womb", set for release on September 26, 2026 on CD, digital, and deluxe colored vinyl limited to 300 copies in Ultra Clear with White Smoke, via Argonauta Records.

Following the recent release of the first single "Morning Son", Mama Doom have now unleashed the album's latest offering, "Woven Linen", accompanied by a striking new professional music video that has already been generating enthusiastic reactions from fans and media alike.

Watch the "Woven Linen" video:

Preorder "Eminent Womb": https://tinyurl.com/mamadoom

Known for their unique blend of ethereal darkness, gothic pop sensibilities, psychedelic textures and cinematic storytelling, Mama Doom continue to push the boundaries of heavy music through their self-defined Coven Core aesthetic. With "Eminent Womb", the Hudson Valley trio delivers their most ambitious and emotionally resonant work to date.

The band comments:

"Eminent Womb is finally ready to meet the world. The recording process was an incredible experience, full of creativity, energy, and a few well-timed practical jokes on Chuck. Our first single, 'Morning Son,' sets the tone for a record that explores love, pain, and, above all, the enduring strength of the mother. We can't wait for you to hear it."

The recently released "Woven Linen" video further showcases the band's acclaimed visual identity and commitment to bold artistic expression.

On the concept behind the video, Mama Doom explain:

"'Woven Linen' confronts the weight of religious oppression and reclaims where true power resides, with the Mother, the source of all life. Bringing this vision to life was a collaborative effort and we were proud to welcome four incredible women into the Gratuitous Productions family. Grave Dave created an amazing set with white witchy masks, a skeletal Saint Barbara, and Homer the stuffed goat, while Anne painstakingly stitched together a blood-soaked visual homage inspired by Suspiria."

Tracklisting

Morning Son
Woven Linen
Anesthetic
Night of Day
Blue
Mother's Mercy
Picked Clean
Nightshade
Home is in the Ground

Formed in New York's Hudson Valley, Mama Doom have earned a reputation as one of the most distinctive acts in today's underground scene. Their award-winning and often controversial videos, combined with a fearless artistic vision and powerful songwriting, have established the trio as a truly singular presence within the heavy music landscape.

"Eminent Womb" will be released worldwide on September 26, 2026 via Argonauta Records on CD, digital and deluxe colored vinyl limited to 300 copies in Ultra Clear with White Smoke.

Lineup

Heather D. Lolli – vocals, keyboards
Chuckie Rumbles – bass
Anne Terror – drums

For fans of dark ritualistic atmospheres, gothic psychedelia, cinematic storytelling and uncompromising artistic expression, "Eminent Womb" promises to be one of the year's most captivating releases.

Links   

https://www.facebook.com/MamaDoommusic
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

Cornucopia - Songs For Unfortunate Times (Album Review)

Release Date: June 05th 2026. Record Label: L'Ordalie Noire Records. Formats: CD/DD

Songs For Unfortunate Times - Tracklisting

1.Spellbound 05:24

2.Troubled Soul 03:36

3.Live For Today 07:23

4.Clean All My Beliefs 04:53

5.Eternity Screams 06:12

6.The Obscure Side Of Time 04:08

7.Desperation Streets 05:13

8.The End To Come 05:42

Members

 

Pierre - Guitar

Jean-Guillaume - Guitar / Vocals

Benjamin - Drums

Mathieu - Bass

Review

Songs For Unfortunate Times is the debut album from Doom/Stoner Metallers Cornucopia who bring a Proto-Metal perspective to their music with also areas of an almost Thrash Metal backdrop which gives their record a very harsh environment to operate from. The main influences can be drawn to the likes of Saint Vitus, The Obsessed and Pentagram but with a ferocious Heavy Metal appetite giving Cornucopia a heavier malevolent presence throughout the album.

The record also flirts between Classic Heavy Metal surroundings and modern day  atmospherics with that bombastic Thrash Metal attitude allowing the listener to know that Cornucopia are not afraid to move further away from their Doom/Stoner Metal roots. The songs are superbly played throughout with the band even using the classic outlandish Heavy Metal tropes and themes to their great advantage especially within the longer tracks of the album such as Live For Today, Eternity Screams and Desperation Streets. 

Cornucopia offers serious lyrics within the darker moments of the album which touch upon hard hitting subjects with a slightly emotionally charged journey appearing when you least expect this. The whole thing does have a deeply organic and rich creative approach where the band take loving care with the classic foundations of Doom Metal whilst applying some layers of modern day visibility when the Heavy Psych and Stoner Metal melodies fully appear.

The record is aggressively heavy with Cornucopia relying on actual musical technical ability with everyone putting in a superb performance throughout with the heaviest and interesting sounds appearing once again within the longer tracks on the record. Though, the shorter tracks are equally as good with Cornucopia creating some highly atmospheric Doom Metal grooves which have a menacing vibe lurking in the background. 

Songs For Unfortunate Times is a highly accomplished and superbly realized debut album from a band who really mean business which they prove from time and time again. If you want a Doom/Stoner Metal album that isn’t afraid to venture into the golden era of Heavy Metal and apply some epic modern day cinematic soundscapes then Cornucopia are the perfect band that brilliantly bridges that gap.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Songs For Unfortunate Times is available to buy now on CD/DD via L'Ordalie Noire Records.

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Exclusive Album Premiere Of Doom/Stoner Metallers ALUNAH / SAMAVAYO Split Album EMBERS OF BELIEF

ALUNAH and SAMAVAYO team up for the epic split album release EMBERS OF BELIEF that allows both bands to show why they're so highly regarded within the Doom Metal and Stoner Metal scenes. The album which is being released on the heavyweight record label Heavy Psych Sounds on Friday June 05th 2026 can be heard below with this exclusive album premiere thanks to the amazing folks over at Purple Sage PR and Heavy Psych Sounds.

Alunah says of the album:

"Embers of Belief" features the first Alunah recordings with vocalist Daisy Savage and continues our long-standing relationship with Heavy Psych Sounds Records. We are both excited and proud to present our contribution to this split release - two brand new studio tracks that give a glimpse into where this new chemistry as a band is taking us creatively, alongside two live recordings which document and acknowledge the incredible job Daisy did in stepping up to tour and promote our previous full-length.

This significant release is part of our “VINGT” celebrations, marking 20 years of Alunah with both new music and festival appearances, including Bloodstock Open Air and Desertfest London. To everyone who’s stood by Birmingham, heavy rock, and doom through the years...this one’s for you!

Samavayo says of the album:

Creativity ... it burns deep inside, demanding to be heard and when it wants out, ist has to get out. So here we are!

Longing, recklessness and hope—three themes that couldn’t be more human or more relevant right now.

Samavayo present three exceptional tracks on their split release with Alunah:

BAVAR is a crushing heavy piece built on the Fibonacci sequence, featuring Persian lyrics inspired by a poem from Siavash Kasraie. It stands as a defiant cry against grief and mortality—the narrator refuses to accept the death of loved ones, clinging instead to love, shared tears, and the breath of life as proof that loss can neither truly be believed nor surrendered to.

Mottainai, the 2nd song takes aim at a reckless, consumption-driven mindset—the relentless pursuit of instant gratification and shortcuts. The song warns that this culture of excess and selfishness will ultimately leave a devastating legacy for future generations.

California Sky is a psychedelic, acoustic ode to Samavayo’s 2025 US tour, captures a paradoxical longing for the American desert landscape. It evokes a sense of spiritual belonging in the vast emptiness of Joshua Tree, while reflecting a deep yet helpless emotional connection to the United States and all its contradictions.

Tracklisting

Alunah - On Blacklow Hill

Alunah - La Pucelle

Alunah - Hazy Jane (Alive '25)

Alunah - Violet Hour/Hunt (Alive '25)

Samavayo - Bavar

Samavayo - Mottainai

Samavayo - California Sky

Alunah Lineup

Daisy Savage - Vocals

Matt Noble - Guitar

Dan Burchmore - Bass

Jake Mason - Drums

Alunah Info

Made In Birmingham, Played Worldwide

"Heavy Rock on their own terms, NO compromise". Alunah have always been very clear on this message over their 20 year history.

Winter 2024 saw vocalist Daisy Savage enter the fold in time for a year of touring and building new dynamics as the band joined the Heavy Psych Sounds Festival across Italy, Switzerland, Greece & the UK alongside playing further headline shows.

Having signed to HPS in 2019 Alunah have continued to evolve and were listed by Metal Hammer in July 2025 as one of the ten most important bands to come out of Birmingham. They have toured with the likes of Paradise Lost, The Obsessed, Nick Oliveri's Mondo Generator and been regulars on the European festival circuit.

"The Brummies may be celebrating 20 years in the business but they still sound as fresh as ever" Devolution Magazine

"The doom metal mainstays have continued the course" Metal Hammer 's Top 10 greatest metal bands from Birmingham

"This iteration of the band has found something special in their chemistry" Red Death Media

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Samavayo Lineup

Behrang Alavi - Vocals / Guitar

Arno Voland - Drums / Vocals / Didgeridoo / Percussions

Andreas Voland - Bass / Guitar / Vocals / Moog

Samavayo Info

All three band members of Samavayo grew up in East-Berlin, in the neighbourhoods Lichtenberg and Friedrichshain. As a 10 year old kid, the singer fled as a political refugee from his home country of Iran to Berlin, Germany. The brothers Andreas and Stephan grew up in East-Berlin.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the city was open, letting in cultural influences from any foreign country. The capital city became a multi-cultural melting pot where a singer from Teheran and two brothers from Berlin started making music. 600 live shows in Europe and overseas followed, including gigs in Brazil, Albania, Greece, Croatia and France.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Embers Of Belief is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the details.