Heavy Prog Rockers MR.BISON share new single "Bright Shadow" from upcoming new album "The Garden of Forgotten Dreams" out September 25th on Heavy Psych Sounds

Italian heavy prog goldsmiths MR.BISON present their haunting new single "Bright Shadow", taken from their upcoming studio album "The Garden of Forgotten Dreams" to be issued this September 25th on Heavy Psych Sounds Records.

Watch new video "Bright Shadow" below + listen to the single on all streaming services

"A haunting and dreamlike song about lost memories, unrealized possibilities, and the echoes of the past. Set within a mysterious garden of light and shadow, it explores regret, longing, and the fragile boundary between dreams and reality...”

The Garden: a magical place where lost dreams don't fade, but grow like silent flowers. Each petal holds an unfulfilled wish, each scent a memory left behind. In this garden, those who enter rediscover parts of themselves they thought lost and understand that nothing should be forgotten if it has touched their heart.

Sprawling psychedelia collides with prog precision on MR.BISON's new album "The Garden of Forgotten Dreams", all propelled by swirling melodic scales that ascend into the stratosphere and dynamics that breathe with volcanic intensity. This sixth studio album is undoubtedly their most epic and immersive album yet, one that will win over fans of Elder, King Buffalo, Weedpecker, Naxatras.

About the main album theme, the band comments: "The garden is the image that recurs most frequently throughout the album. We chose it as a metaphor for a refuge, a place where we can nurture our natural inclinations, let them grow and blossom, and where we can also keep our shadows and lights hidden. Where our secrets, our most authentic truths, our aspirations and our dreams, can therefore remain guarded until we are ready to reveal them to those who can contain and appreciate them." Check out the album's debut single Cosmic Tide!

MR.BISON "The Garden of Forgotten Dreams" - Out September 25th on Heavy Psych Sounds

TRACKLIST:

1. Cosmic Tide
2. The Garden of Forgotten Dreams
3. Bright Shadow
4. Astray
5. Turn to Stone
6. The Sunrise
7. River Moan
8. Old Hue

MR BISON is a rock band that melds heavy psychedelic sounds with progressive elements and evocative soundscapes. Formed in a small coastal town in Tuscany, Italy, the band has reinvented their sound over the course of four albums from stoner rock to heavy psychedelic and progressive sounds, firmly establishing themselves in 2018 with the acclaimed Holy Oak and the great concept album Seaward in the 2020, which suddenly brought them touring around Europe and US many times, attending the best festivals on the scene. The foursome released Echoes From the Universe in February 2024 via Heavy Psych Sounds, reaching many international Best Albums lists — including a top spot on the prestigious Doom Charts — and followed by touring across Europe, the US West Coast Tour and the UK and numerous festival appearances.

Their new concept album The Garden of Forgotten Dreams was produced and recorded by guitarist Matteo Barsacchi, mixed by Richard Behrens (Elder, Kadavar) at Big Snuff Studio in Berlin, and mastered by Carl Saff in Chicago and Adam Ayan (Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam) in Portland. The band has already been confirmed to play Stoned From The Underground, Blackdoor Fest and other summer festivals, and will be touring Europe and the UK again in the fall of 2026.

MR.BISON is

Matteo Barsacchi - Guitar / Synth
Matteo Sciocchetto - Voice / Bass
Davide Salvadori - Guitar / Synth
Lorenzo Salvadori - Drums

MR.BISON links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

EYE - the new band from MWWB's Jessica Ball share new single "Open Sea”

EYE, the band formed by Jessica Ball (Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard) return with a reworked heavy-psych bliss-out of a unreleased track and taster of new things to come from the Welsh heavy dark-wavers who gave us "Dark Light', an acclaimed debut album in 2024 on New Heavy Sounds (Cwfen, Shooting Daggers, Death Pill).

An ethereal dark-folk intro of clean finger-picking and Carpenter synth lulls us into a sense of false calm before Ball unleashes one of her most crushing MWWB-esque fuzz riffs. By revisiting the track Ball has now delivered one of her most memorable melodies with a huge chorus recalling Mammoth Weed in full flow - Blackwater Holylight, Faetooth eat-your-heart-out.

A stand-alone track for the time being but Jessica explains where things are going...

"The release of 'Open Sea' was quite unexpected in a way! We had initially recorded it in Foel Studios with the intention of it being on our first album 'Dark Light'. For whatever reason, it didn't make it on the album. It's a song I had written a very long time ago, and it's funny how you can favour your new material over the old stuff. I also wasn't keen on the vocal melody anymore.

Well we recently came across it again, and I decided to have a go at some new vocals with fresh ears as enough time had passed. I liked what I did, so we sent it to Chris Fielding to work his magic... What came back was a fierce track that we absolutely loved. So I'm glad it is seeing the light of day.

Since the release of Dark Light, we've been playing a few select shows and working on our live sound a lot more. I've also been writing and working towards our second album. This single (Open Sea) has inspired me to make next album a lot heavier, and bring back the riffs!”

Listen to “Open Sea” - https://cargo-independent.ffm.to/v8f0rnmxhk

EYE are also set to support label mates Crumbling Ghost, who launch their album with a show at London’s Black Heart on 7th August.

Tickets are on sale now - https://dice.fm/partner/tickets/event/bb2b9x-crumbling-ghost-four-album-release-show-7th-aug-the-black-heart-london-tickets

Follow EYE online:

https://www.facebook.com/eyeeyeeyemusic
https://eye-uk.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/_e_y_e_b_a_n_d

Thanks to For The Lost PR for the details.

The Wyldewood Green - Tales of The Wyldewood Green (Album Review)

Release Date: August 07th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Tales of The Wyldewood Green - Tracklist

1.Spires

2.The Mindsplitter 03:11

3.Carnaby Nights 02:18

4.Smith & Strange

5.Souvenirs

6.Maldedo

7.Tangerine Whiskey

8.The Queenmaker

9.Rude Britannia

10.Cadoi

11.Murder In The Electric Cathedral

Lineup

Marco Scarsone: Hammond A-100, Mini Farfisa, piano, guitar, bass, tambourine, maracas and shakers

Jonathan Yang: Drums

Mike Davis: Congas and bongos

Review

Tales Of The Wyldewood Green is the debut album of Heavy Psych Instrumental Rockers The Wyldewood Green and it’s one of the freakiest, psychedelic and far-out records I’ve had the pleasure to listen to this year. This record fully explores the legendary sounds of the Sixties and Seventies Rock scene where the band play music built upon the rhythms of Surf Rock, Heavy Psych, Funk, Punk Rock, Garage Rock, Blues Rock, Classic Rock, Proto-Rock and shades of Stoner Rock.

The Wyldewood Green music is driven by a funk driven Hammond and Organ instrumental score which allows the other areas of Heavy Psych to perfectly drift into your subconscious where the mood even transforms into pure JAZZ ROCK and LIZARD LOUNGE music. Though, the real musical weapon of choice that The Wyldewood Green band explores is classic movie soundtracks. As this record has a classic hipster sound with the jazzy beats and cool intricate psychedelic melodies that wouldn’t go amiss from a Sixties Heist Movie or even a kitschy rom-com. Though, the record does show it’s more dangerous side by employing a Classic Hard Rock style inspired by the likes of The Who, Deep Purple, The Doors and The Byrds. 

With some distorted Stoner-ish guitars appearing along the way, it’s good to see The Wyldewood Green are still keen to add small snippets of modern Stoner Rock soundwaves which gives Tales Of The Wyldewood Green a heightened sense of trippy realism. The album may not be for everyone but if you’re in the mood for some great Heavy Psychedelic beats and sounds that will leave your mind feeling the effects of one of the most glorious LCD trips you’ll ever take without the need for taking that powerful hallucinogenic drug.

The songs are brilliantly written with their own highly individual identity which adds a dreamlike effect on the later stages of the record with The Wyldewood Green even deploying into calmer and soulful Post-Rock swagger. The songwriting is on another level even for an instrumental record as this album does do something different with the whole Instrumental Rock template.

Standout tracks on the album are: Spires, The Mindsplitter, Carnaby Nights, Maldedo, Tangerine Whiskey, The Queenmaker and Murder In The Electric Cathedral. These are the tracks that I found the most engaging on a personal level and which impressed how daringly heavy the record becomes despite this being quite a laid back album for the most part.

Tales Of The Wyldewood Green is an absolute revelation from start to finish with the band creating and playing sounds that shouldn’t really work so well. However, here we are with a debut album that has a great MAVERICK attitude where you can really say that The Wyldewood are true originals which their debut album proves time and time again.

Words by Steve Howe

Tales Of The Wyldewood Green is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Dutch Stoner Rock Heavyweights THE MACHINE share new single "Drop/See"; new album "Another Sun" out October 2 on Blues Funeral Recordings & Awe Records!

Dutch heavy psych and stoner rock trailblazers THE MACHINE release the first single and video taken from their long-anticipated eighth studio album "Another Sun", to be issued on October 2nd via Blues Funeral Recordings (UK and North America), and Awe Records in cooperation with Stickman Records for Europe. Check out "Drop/See" everywhere now!

For the better part of two decades, THE MACHINE have carved out a reputation as one of the most genre-defying acts to emerge from the European underground. Doused in space and soaked in riffs, the power trio of David Eering (guitar/vocals), Chris Both (bass) and Klaas Dijkstra (drums) has continually redefined its sound, balancing a deep-rooted love for stoner rock with excursions into heavy psych, progressive rock, doom, '90s alternative and expansive space rock. As one of the frontrunners of Europe's second wave of stoner and heavy psych, the band established an early landmark with the now cult-classic Solar Corona before continuing to evolve with every release that followed.

Watch The Machine's new video "Drop/See" at this location + listen to the single on all streaming services

Recorded in the fall of 2025 at Evolver Studio, Eering's newly built recording facility in Dordrecht, Another Sun captures what is arguably the strongest incarnation of THE MACHINE to date. Intricate in groove and rich in dynamics, it digs deeper into classic heavy-toned songcraft while leaving ample room for the free-flowing jams that have always been central to the Dutch trio's identity.

Rather than reinventing themselves, THE MACHINE sharpen their unmistakable sonic fingerprint and deliver a powerful, sun-baked and definitely face-melting 45-minute masterpiece. "Another Sun is an important milestone to me personally, after a couple of years with (apparent) reduced activity of the band – it‘s the first record with this great lineup and the first one that I recorded at my own place Evolver Studio. Without the intention to do so, I think we managed to honor a more old school The Machine vibe while also stepping into the future. Can’t wait for this one to be released and to play shows in support of it," says frontman David Eering.

LP and CD preorders are available now via the band's own imprint Awe Records (Europe) as well as Blues Funeral Recordings (UK and North America).

THE MACHINE "Another Sun"
Out October 2nd on Blues Funeral Recordings (UK/North America)
Awe Records / Stickman Records (Europe)

Already announced with a surprise full-album performance at this year's Roadburn Festival, Another Sun signals the beginning of a new chapter for THE MACHINE. After nearly two decades as one of Europe's most consistently adventurous heavy rock bands, the trio now steps onto a broader international stage, reaffirming their place alongside legendary Dutch acts like 35007, Beaver and 7Zuma7, while finally bringing their expansive blend of stoner rock, heavy psych and space-driven grooves to a much wider audience.

THE MACHINE is

David Eering - Guitars, vocals, sitar, synthesizers, theremin, percussion
Chris Both - Bass guitar
Klaas Dijkstra - Drums, Percussion

THE MACHINE links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Awe Records

Blues Funeral Recordings links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Dutch Stoner Rock Pillars THE MACHINE announce new studio album "Another Sun"; out October 2nd via Blues Funeral Recordings and Awe Records

Dutch heavy psych and stoner rock trailblazers THE MACHINE have announced the release of their long-awaited eighth studio album "Another Sun" this October 2, to be co-released via Blues Funeral Recordings in North America and the UK and via the band's own imprint Awe Records in Europe in cooperation with Stickman Records, with a first single slated for late July.

For the better part of two decades, THE MACHINE have carved out a reputation as one of the most genre-defying acts to emerge from the European underground. Doused in space and soaked in riffs, the power trio of David Eering (guitar/vocals), Chris Both (bass) and Klaas Dijkstra (drums) has continually redefined its sound, balancing a deep-rooted love for stoner rock with excursions into heavy psych, progressive rock, doom, '90s alternative and expansive space rock. As one of the frontrunners of Europe's second wave of stoner and heavy psych, the band established an early landmark with the now cult-classic Solar Corona before continuing to evolve with every release that followed.

"Another Sun is an important milestone to me personally, after a couple of years with (apparent) reduced activity of the band – it‘s the first record with this great lineup and the first one that I recorded at my own place Evolver Studio. Without the intention to do so, I think we managed to honor a more old school The Machine vibe while also stepping into the future. Can’t wait for this one to be released and to play shows in support of it," says frontman David Eering.

THE MACHINE "Another Sun"
Out October 2nd on Blues Funeral Recordings (North America & UK)
Awe Records / Stickman Records (Europe)

Recorded in the fall of 2025 at Evolver Studio, Eering's newly built recording facility in Dordrecht, Another Sun captures what is arguably the strongest incarnation of THE MACHINE to date. Intricate in groove and rich in dynamic songwriting, the album digs deeper into classic heavy-toned songcraft while leaving ample room for the free-flowing jams that have always been central to the band's identity. Rather than reinventing themselves, THE MACHINE sharpen their unmistakable sonic fingerprint, reconnecting with the freeform spirit of their early work through a modern lens. They took their time to mature, only to return stronger, heavier and more inspired than ever.

Already announced with a surprise full-album performance at this year's Roadburn Festival, Another Sun signals the beginning of a new chapter for THE MACHINE. After nearly two decades as one of Europe's most consistently adventurous heavy rock bands, the trio now steps onto a broader international stage, reaffirming their place alongside legendary Dutch acts like 35007, Beaver and 7Zuma7, while finally bringing their expansive blend of stoner rock, heavy psych and space-driven grooves to a much wider audience.

THE MACHINE is

David Eering - Guitars, vocals, sitar, synthesizers, theremin, percussion
Chris Both - Bass guitar
Klaas Dijkstra - Drums, Percussion

THE MACHINE links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Awe Records

Blues Funeral Recordings links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Heavy Psych-Prog Rockers MR.BISON to release new album "The Garden of Forgotten Dreams" on Heavy Psych Sounds this fall; first track streaming!

Italian heavy psychedelic and progressive rock goldsmiths MR BISON announce the release of their new studio album "The Garden of Forgotten Dreams" this September 25th on Heavy Psych Sounds Records, and present the first single "Cosmic Tide" today.

The Garden: a magical place where lost dreams don't fade, but grow like silent flowers. Each petal holds an unfulfilled wish, each scent a memory left behind. In this garden, those who enter rediscover parts of themselves they thought lost and understand that nothing should be forgotten if it has touched their heart.

About the album theme, the band comments: "The garden is the image that recurs most frequently throughout the album. We chose it as a metaphor for a refuge, a place where we can nurture our natural inclinations, let them grow and blossom, and where we can also keep our shadows and lights hidden. Where our secrets, our most authentic truths, our aspirations and our dreams, can therefore remain guarded until we are ready to reveal them to those who can contain and appreciate them."

Stream new MR BISON single "Cosmic Tide" below:

About this first track, they add: “A dreamy cosmic journey through stars, waves, and infinite space. Blending celestial imagery with themes of freedom, belonging, and self-discovery, the song invites the listener to drift beyond reality and embrace the endless rhythm of the universe. This track represents this new album's sonic range, sailing between progressive rides, psychedelia and 70's acoustic parts.”

The album will be issued on September 25th, with LP and CD preorders available now through Heavy Psych Sounds Records.


MR BISON "The Garden of Forgotten Dreams"
Out September 25th on Heavy Psych Sounds

TRACKLIST:

1. Cosmic Tide
2. The Garden of Forgotten Dreams
3. Bright Shadow
4. Astray
5. Turn to Stone
6. The Sunrise
7. River Moan
8. Old Hue

MR BISON is a rock band that melds heavy psychedelic sounds with progressive elements and evocative soundscapes. Formed in a small coastal town in Tuscany, Italy, the band has reinvented their sound over the course of four albums from stoner rock to heavy psychedelic and progressive sounds, firmly establishing themselves in 2018 with the acclaimed Holy Oak and the great concept album Seaward in the 2020, which suddenly brought them touring around Europe and US many times, attending the best festivals on the scene. The foursome released Echoes From the Universe in February 2024 via Heavy Psych Sounds, reaching many international Best Albums lists — including a top spot on the prestigious Doom Charts — and followed by touring across Europe, the US West Coast Tour and the UK and numerous festival appearances.

Their new concept album The Garden of Forgotten Dreams was produced and recorded by guitarist Matteo Barsacchi, mixed by Richard Behrens (Elder, Kadavar) at Big Snuff Studio in Berlin, and mastered by Carl Saff in Chicago and Adam Ayan (Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam) in Portland. The band has already been confirmed to play Stoned From The Underground, Blackdoor Fest and other summer festivals, and will be touring Europe and the UK again in the fall of 2026.

MR.BISON is

Matteo Barsacchi - Guitar / Synth
Matteo Sciocchetto - Voice / Bass
Davide Salvadori - Guitar / Synth
Lorenzo Salvadori - Drums

MR.BISON links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Heavy Psych Metallers Book Of Wyrms Release New Single “Slime Fever”, First Taste Of Upcoming Album

US heavy metal psych outfit Book of Wyrms return today with their new single “Slime Fever”, offering the first glimpse into their forthcoming new album, with further details to be revealed soon.

Formed in 2014 out of a shared devotion to Hawkwind and ZZ Top, Book of Wyrms describe themselves as a four piece heavy metal psych band with extensive experience jamming in outer space, steadily building a reputation in the US underground through their blend of heavy riffs, psychedelic textures and driving energy.

“Slime Fever” captures a clear shift in momentum for the band. The addition of drummer Brian Wiltz has injected a new level of intensity and directness into the songwriting, with a more aggressive and straightforward approach that still leaves space for dynamics, restraint and unexpected turns. Wiltz’s background outside of traditional heavy music also brings a broader rhythmic perspective, knowing when to support the song and when to push it into more explosive territory.

For the first time, the band also worked with a dedicated mixer. Rob Wrong (Wrong Way Recording, Witch Mountain) handled the mix, opening up a new sonic dimension for Book of Wyrms and helping shape a sound that feels both sharper and more expansive than ever before. His approach aligned naturally with the band’s vision, drawing on reference points such as Dio’s Last in Line and Judas Priest’s Turbo, while still allowing space for unexpected creative directions in the mix.

Stylistically, the band continues to evolve while staying rooted in their core influences. Alongside their enduring love for Rainbow, Hawkwind and Monster Magnet, Book of Wyrms found themselves drawing inspiration from 80s Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy, Scorpions, Queen and Motörhead, aiming to create music built for movement and intensity. The result is a collection of songs shaped with a strict approach to composition, where anything that did not “hit” with full impact was left behind.

“Slime Fever” stands as the first transmission from this new era: faster, dirtier and more focused, setting the tone for what is to come from the forthcoming album.

“Slime Fever” is available now here: https://tidal.com/track/533950428/u

For more info:

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

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

Hard Psych Unit SATURNA to release new album "Light and Shadow" on September 17th via Spinda Records & Ripple Music; debut new video "Self Told Lies"

Barcelona, Spain's hard psych rockers SATURNA are set to return this fall with their new album "Light and Shadow", released collaboratively on Spinda Records & Discos Marracas (Europe) and Ripple Music (North America), with the debut single and video "Self Told Lies" streaming everywhere now.

Watch the "Self Told Lies" lyric video // Live at Siete Barbas Estudio
+ listen to the single on all streaming services

Saturna's upcoming sixth studio album Light and Shadow retains the core elements that define their sound — hard rock, psychedelia and alternative rock — while expanding the Catalan foursome's sonic palette with new dynamics, renewed energy and greater textural variety. The contribution of Max Eriksson’s compositional input, alongside a desire to explore new sonic territories, has helped shape a record that pushes their sound forward without losing its essence.

Recorded and produced by the band themselves, with Enric Verdaguer handling mixing duties, Light and Shadow embraces a more organic, honest and live-oriented approach. Moving between heaviness and introspection, the album explores a wide emotional spectrum while maintaining the intensity that has always defined their music. Thematically, the record revolves around duality: light and darkness, love and hate, life and death. Its lyrics draw on personal experiences and the contradictions between opposing forces.

The artwork is once again created by Jondix, a long-time collaborator of the band internationally known for his work with Tool and other major names in the rock and metal scene.

SATURNA "Light and Shadow"
Out September 17th on Spinda Records & Discos Marracas (EU) and Ripple Music (North America)

From Barcelona, Saturna have spent over a decade building a distinctive identity within contemporary heavy rock, blending the raw power of classic hard rock with psychedelic atmospheres, alternative rock depth and a strong melodic sensibility. With a sound that is both powerful and emotionally rich, the band has developed a singular voice that resonates with audiences across Europe and beyond.

Across five studio albums, Saturna has crafted a musical language rooted in the balance between heaviness and sensitivity, combining crushing riffs with expansive sonic landscapes. Their previous record, The Reset (2023), marked a turning point: it reached number one on the US Doom Charts, appeared on numerous year-end lists, and strengthened their international profile, leading to extensive touring activity on both sides of the Atlantic. The band’s reputation has been built equally in the studio and on stage. Their live performances are defined by emotional intensity, instrumental precision and a genuine connection with the audience, establishing them as a rising force within the European heavy rock scene.

Saturna is

James Vieco - vocals, guitar
Max Eriksson - guitar
Rod Tirado - bass
Enric Verdaguer - drums

Saturna links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube

Spinda Records links

Webstore | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

Ripple Music links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR and Spinda Records for the details.

Green Desert Water - Eerie Meadows (Album Review)

Release Date: June 19th 2026. Record Label: Small Stone Co Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Eerie Meadows - Tracklisting

1. Northern Lights - 6:08

2. The Blacksmith - 3:51

3. Eerie Meadows - 5:42

4. Woodcutter - 4:07

5. Holy Ground - 5:27

6. Wolfhound - 3:38

7. Bos Primigenius - 3:31

8. Meteora - 5:28

Members

 

Juan Arias García: bass guitar

Dani Barcena: drums and percussion

Kike Sanchís: guitars and vocals

Review

Heavy Psych Rockers Green Desert Water with Eerie Meadows which is their first album in five years. The band have a fresher and highly energetic sound compared to their last album Black Harvest which sees the band lean quite heavily into the Nineties Grunge and Stoner Rock scene without compromising their Seventies Heavy Rock vision. With flashes of KYUSS and PEARL JAM inspired melodies set against the classic rock scene, Green Desert Water add elements of Thin Lizzy, The Who, Cactus and Led Zepp into their music.

The vocals from Kike Sanchis are quite grounded, gritty and that’s held by a highly melodic approach. The songs are expertly paced throughout with the band not wasting a single second on flashy gimmicks of progressive themes which gives this album a true Hard Rock approach. There is a heavy Doom Rock essence that comes into play that fans of The Sword will truly appreciate especially on the outstanding title track of Eerie Meadows.

The song is quite gloomy with a deeply Doomed Out approach appearing within the music and Kike’s vocals being more Proto-Doom obsessed. However, before that great track, Green Desert Water open up with the opening tracks of Northern Lights and The Blacksmith sees Classic Hard Rock, Psych Rock and Stoner Rock grooves combining for a damn good time with superbly written musical structures and sublime lyrics making this one of the strongest openings to an album you can possibly experience.

Though, Eerie Meadows changes the creative landscape for the band as they lean quite heavily into the Doom Rock/Metal side of life which breathes a new level of heaviness for the album. The guitars are perfectly timed with the epic rhythm section having a fine ear for detail. Green Desert Water adds seedy levels of Fuzz, Psych and Grunge which develops into some of the most interesting sounds on the whole album.

From this moment on Green Desert Water are ON FIRE by developing their music even further into a sandstorm of fuzzy melodies, gritty vocals and extended musical passages with layers of Fuzz Rock allowing the band to put those AMPS all the way past ELEVEN. There seems to be a sense of trouble brewing behind the scenes as the album becomes ever more rebellious on tracks such as Woodcutter, Holy Ground, Wolfhound and Meteora.

Eerie Meadows lasts for around thirty seven minutes in length and even though I wish there was another song to push this past the forty minute mark, it’s still an action packed record full of superbly observed moments that allows Green Desert Water to establish themselves once more as one of the premier Power Trio’s the Stoner Rock scene currently has right now.

Production values are another highlight with Green Desert Water never sounding better and perhaps finding their true sound with an intense musical performance that’s their most mature record to date. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Earsplit PR for the promo.

Eerie Meadows is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Small Stone Co Records.

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Bending Light - Bending Light (Album Review)

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

Bending Light - Tracklisting

1.Split Infinity 03:58

2.Strangeland 05:24

3.Kill Joy 04:54

4.The Spaniard 01:26

5.Faded 06:09

6.Salo 06:00

7.Distant Past 03:46

8.Euphrates 06:35

Members

Drums: Jeffrey Ruoss

Bass: Damon Deluca

Vocals / Guitar: Ethan Parr

Guitar: Patrick Hogg

Keys: Jonathon (Coop) Cooper

Review

Bending Light’s debut album is an interesting record with the band feeling like they belong to the same Psychedelic Stoner Rock/Metal realm as such bands as ELDER, King Buffalo, Howling Giant and Weedpecker. However, Bending Light added a different mix to that equation with the band adding areas of Occult Rock and Doom Metal imagery into their music. There’s a provocative sound that emerges that sees a later of Prog Rock appearing to give Bending Light a soulful style of Seventies Hard Rock that’s merged fully within the modern day surroundings of their main Stoner Metal narrative they create on the whole album.

The record is beautifully insightful and wonderfully melodic with great levels of Post-Stoner passages with some upbeat Post-Rock, Space Rock and Ambient sounds that often play tricks with the listeners imagination on tracks such as Split Infinity, Strangeland and Kill Joy. Bending Light fuses Alt Rock and Grunge sensibilities that gives another aura of superb creativity to their music. The lyrics are quite insightful and the excellent vocals from Ethan Parr are quite sweet-natured and warm-hearted which fully sells that Heavy Psychedelic element that the band fully become part of before the record reaches its natural conclusion. 

Production values are expertly delivered that allows Bending Light to have a commanding presence throughout the album which allows them to move quite convincingly through the whole Doom/Stoner Metal spectrum with an epic sideline of MASSIVE GROOVES dictating the whole action. There is a subtle Sludge Rock atmosphere that develops on tracks such as Kill Joy, Faded, Salo and Euphrates with Bending Light perhaps leaning into the more commercial aspects of Stadium Rock which is one of the main strengths of the album.

I also love the wonderful interplay of the keyboards that Jonathon (Coop) Cooper brings to the band as it’s quite gloomy, eerie and superbly optimistic at times though everyone puts in a first rate musical performance on the album. The music is EPIC and downright CINEMATIC in places especially on the later stages of the record. There is some clever sonic manipulation and distortion at play which fully sells the Occult Rock and Doom Metal aspect of this album 

Bending Light's debut album is an excellent and brilliantly observed record that demands your full attention. This is the type of album that could easily allow Bending Light to aim high for bigger and better things. They have the songs and creative vision to back up their undeniable talent which should see them go a long way within the Doom/Stoner Metal scene.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Her Name Was Fire - Obsidian Light (EP Review)

 

Release Date: 08th May 2026. Record Label: Self Released.Formats: DD

Obsidian Light - Tracklisting

00:00 Electrify

04:24 Facekicker

07:21 Head on the wall

11:16 Better Days

16:23 Steamed

Review

Obsidian Light is the latest EP from Psych/Stoner Rockers Her Name Was Fire. The band add a very cool sounding Alternative Rock and Grunge based attitude into their music. The EP lasts around twenty minutes across five tracks with the music being quite commercially friendly with influences such as Foo Fighters, QOTSA and Alice In Chains appearing within the whole EP. 

There are certain sections with Her Name Was Fire applying a solid Post-Doom and Post-Stoner melody within the progressive elements of the EP especially on tracks such as Electrify and Firecracker. It does take time for Her Name Was Fire to fully move over into the Heavy Stoner Rock spectrum but when they achieve that level then the EP takes a wonderful creative energy of its own which appears through the later stages of the second standout track Firecracker. The band continues that great momentum on the other tracks with Better Days and Steamed being the other standout tracks on the EP.

Her Name Was Fire are a super-tight unit as they demonstrate a very keen ear for tone, aggression and melody which should keep fans of Nineties Heavy Rock very happy indeed. The EP has some great production values which allows the band explore the heavier aspects of the Stoner Rock underground scene whilst keeping allowing their own great style of highly energetic Stadium Rock sound to become a major aspect of the record.

Obsidian Light is a great EP with plenty of aggressive and highly anthemic moments that transports the listener to a simpler time where the message of the record means as much as the music itself. The sound can be quite off-kilter as Her Name Was Fire aligning themselves more closely to the “HIPPER” style of Stoner Rock that QOTSA are more known for playing today on the final moments of the EP.

Her Name Was Fire have released a superbly realised and quite grounded record that offers spectacular entertainment throughout.

Words by Steve Howe

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Introduce Yourselves: The Almost Dead

What Is the Name of Your Band?

The Almost Dead based in Paris, France

What Is the genre of music you play?

Heavy Stoner

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

The Almost Dead was formed in April 2024 with four experienced members from the French hard rock/metal scene.

The band spent its first year composing the initial tracks for its repertoire. The result was the release of a 3-track demo in January 2025.

In June 2025, The Almost Dead played their first concert and then returned to the studio to compose and record new tracks.

A self-produced 5-track EP was released in December 2025.

The year 2026 is dedicated to concerts promoting this EP.

What can people expect from your music?

The heavy rock of the late 1960's and early 1970's is the starting point for our stoner-oriented musical project, with strong influences from psychedelic rock and doom metal.

What is the best release that folks should check out from your band?

First EP named Almost Dead released in December 2025 and available on Bandcamp.

https://thealmostdead1.bandcamp.com/album/almost-dead-ep

Where can people find you on Social Media?

https://linktr.ee/thealmostdeadband