Cosmic Reaper - Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned (Album Review)

Release Date: September 26th 2025. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned - Tracklisting

1. Hammer

2. Bloodfeather

3. Pot Of Gold

4. Parasites

5. Dwelling

6. Perfect Organism

7. Bones

8. Waiting by the Gallows

Members

Thad Collis - Vocals / Guitar

Peter Snasdell - Guitar

Garrett Garlington - Bass

Jeremy Grobsmith - Drums

Review.

Doom/Stoner Metallers Cosmic Reaper return with their latest album Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned which sees the band become master practitioners of the Proto-Metal world with their sound playing homage to the likes of Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, Candlemass and Pentagram. What makes Cosmic Reaper standout is their foray into areas of Psych, Space and Cosmic pastures with certain elements of Alt Metal and Grunge to give their sound quite a destructive and distinctive quality.

This time round Cosmic Reaper performs with a mature storytelling aspect compared to their celebrated debut album with tales of horror and science fiction that allows the album to be quite fantastical and horror obsessive at the best possible moments. The lyrics have a real blood curling effect with Thad Collis vocals settling firmly into the role of Ringmaster and master storyteller all in one go.

The music itself is destructively heavy and downright gloomy with flashes of aggressive melodies with flashes of MONOLORD-esque FUZZY heaviness injected within the Proto-Doom surroundings of the superbly played opening tracks of Hammer, Bloodfeather and Pot Of Gold. Sludgy guitars can be felt more than ever that allows the excellent rhythm section of Garrett Garlington (Bass) and Jeremy Grobsmith (Drums) generate a pounding and intense Doom Metal ENGINE that really makes Cosmic Reaper actually tick and perform to the best of their musical abilities.

Thad also handles guitar duties along with newest member Peter Snasdell which gives the band a holier than thou METALLIC quality with down-tuned and suitably paced melodies combining for a record that’s ultimately perfect for the upcoming HALLOWEEN season. Cosmic Reaper have found a great balance of NWOBHM based vibes and influences on the other parts of the record that pushes the whole experience into one of SONIC and AUDIO manipulation with FUZZY and VIOLENT amplifier riffage dominating the musical journey on other standout tracks such as Parasites, Dwelling, Bones and Waiting By The Gallows. 

Cosmic Reaper always have an authentic creative energy to their music which allows the band to merge classic sounds of Seventies Heavy Metal  against Nineties Alt Metal/Stoner Metal that always leads to places you don’t initially expect. There’s excursions into areas of Blues Rock which adds a gritty undertone that fully transforms the backdrop of Cosmic/Spaced Out Doom into something with real human emotion.

Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned is an emotionally satisfying, thrilling and emotionally charged experience with dangerous LEVELS of FUZZ and GLOOMY instrumental passages that leaves a lasting impression long after the record has finished. 

Cosmic Reaper will no doubt make a bigger name for themselves with this truly outstanding record.

Words by Steve Howe

 

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds.

Links

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Polish Stoner Rock heroes WEEDPECKER sign to Heavy Psych Sounds!

Poland's heavy psychedelic rock pioneers WEEDPECKER ink a worldwide deal with Heavy Psych Sounds Records for the release of their anticipated fifth studio album, the reissue of their sophomore full-length "II" as well as the booking of their next European tour!

About joining the HPS roster, the band comments: “We’re excited to announce that Weedpecker is joining the Heavy Psych Sounds family. It feels great to team up with a label that shares our vision, and we can’t wait to share the next chapter of our journey with you all.”

Forged in Warsaw, Poland in 2012, Weedpecker emerged from the creative union of brothers Piotr and Bartek Dobry. Their mission was to weave dreamy, expansive psychedelic rock with the raw gravity of stoner and grunge. Throughout the decade, the band solidified its reputation with three critically acclaimed albums, delivering some of the most revered heavy psych anthems the scene has witnessed.

After the powerful release of “III” in 2018, the band entered a new chapter as longtime members Bartek Dobry, Robert Kulakowski, and Grzegorz Pawlowski moved on. Weedpecker re-emerged in 2020 with a revitalized lineup, welcoming members of Dopelord and Major Kong. This new incarnation debuted not only fresh faces but also an expanded sonic palette, introducing keyboards to their live performances.

Their latest chapter, “IV: The Stream of Forgotten Thoughts” (2021), fully unveils this evolved identity. The album effortlessly flows from mellow psychedelia to blistering rock explosions, all anchored by their signature melodic heavy riffage.

Through transformation and growth, Weedpecker continues to affirm its place as one of Europe's most essential and exciting psychedelic acts. Stay tuned as more details regarding the new album and "II" reissue will be revealed soon!

Weedpecker links

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Heavy Psych Sounds links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Dusted Angel - This Side Of The Dirt (Album Review)

Release Date: September 19th 2025. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

This Side Of The Dirt - Tracklisting

1. Plastic People

2. Death Crushes Hope

3. Redman

4. This Side Of The Dirt

5. Kiss O Shame

6. Little Lizzy

7. The Thorn

8. Seeking The Dawn

Members

Elliot Young - Bass

Eric Fieber - Guitars

Clifford Dinsmore - Vocals

Steve Ilse - Drums

Eddie Gregor - Guitars

Review

This Side Of The Dust is the next chapter from Doom/Stoner Metallers DUSTED ANGEL who last released an album back in 2010 and I who thought they split up years ago. However, here we are with DUSTED ANGEL firing on all cylinders with their latest album. DUSTED ANGEL haven’t lost the verve, swagger and gritty eagerness that made their debut album such an exhilarating experience. 

If you’re new to DUSTED ANGEL’s world then look at the lineup the band contains as it features Clifford Dinsmore on vocals (Bl'ast!, Seized Up, Spaceboy), Ed Gregor on guitar (Hedgehog, No Use For A Name), Eric "Dog" Fieber on guitar (Mock, Creature, Fire Sermon) Steve Ilse on drums (Creature, Herbert, Automatic Animal) and Eliot Young (Lost in Line, Seance) on bass.

This record has a grittier and aggressive flavour with DUSTED ANGEL definitely inspired by the modern day underground HEAVY RAWK scene and for a band going since 2008, the hunger is still there which you can fully experience on the catchy as hell opening track of Plastic People. This track allows DUSTED ANGEL to perfect their Punk Rock heavily inspired take of Doom and Stoner Metal with a meaty NOISE ROCK attitude being played throughout. The bombastic and no fucks given vocals from Clifford Dinsmore allows him to bridge the gap between the Hardcore, Punk and Stoner Metal scenes with demented relish. 

The instrumental sounds are a cross between FU MANCHU, KYUSS, Monster Magnet, Bl’ast, Whores, The Melvins and Kowloon Walled City which makes up for a highly interesting style of music to fully develop on tracks such as Death Crushes Hope, Redman and This Side Of The Dirt.

ANGEL DUST have a bone-thumping melody to their overall sound that only fully sells their gritty and realistic sound to the highest level. With sneaky visits to areas of Psych Rock, Doom Metal and Desert Rock, this record never plays out the way you expect. The shamanic vocals from Clifford have a shamanic and out of control poet approach which reminds me of Desert Rock outlaw Sean Wheeler, especially the way he delivers intriguing stories through pulsating musical passages and intense melodies.

The rest of the band - Eric, Steve, Eddie and Elliot all play their epic part moving through the multiple styles of HEAVY RAWK being transmitted through your nearest speakers with a glorious sense of rebellion holding everything together.

DUSTED ANGEL have gone through a lot of physical and emotional battles over the years that perhaps shaping the whole creative outcome of This Side Of The Dirt. However, it’s a testament to the band’s talent and personal strength they’ve released an album full of action packed tracks that always offers an exciting style of music with a lot of heart and pissed off grooves showing you a damn good time.

The second half of the album never falters either with DUSTED ANGEL going even further delivering seedier and heavier BLAZING riffs with a distorted WEEDIAN PUNK ROCK flavour coming superbly through on tracks such as: Kiss O Shame, Little Lizzy and Seeking The Dawn. After listening to this album multiple times I started to notice themes of music I originally missed like a sweeping Proto-Metal attitude appearing which most definitely brings a classic Seventies Doomed Out aesthetic to the party. So expect a record that pulls no punches with its non-stop style of aggressive STONER METAL of the highest order.

With the power of HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS backing DUSTED ANGEL then you have the ingredients for a MONSTER SUCCESS on every level possible. Yeah, this record is something else and I have a feeling this could be the start of a career resurgence for DUSTED ANGEL. As it’s simply that good!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

This Side Of The Dirt is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds.

Links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify

Legendary desert rock pioneers YAWNING MAN announce new album "Pavement Ends" on Heavy Psych Sounds; first track available!

Desert rock legends YAWNING MAN announce the release of their new album "Pavement Ends" this November 14th on Heavy Psych Sounds. Founding members Gary Arce and Mario Lalli reunite with Bill Stinson for what promises to be some of their darkest and heaviest work, and premiere a first track via It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine today.

Stream new track "Bomba Negra" below

"From the dusty crucible where sun-bleached highways dissolve into sand and silence, Yawning Man returns with a resounding echo." - It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine

The foundational trio of guitarist Gary Arce and bassist Mario Lalli—original architects of the band's iconic sound—are reunited in the studio with drummer Bill Stinson for their highly anticipated new album "Pavement Ends". This new chapter sees Arce and Lalli revisiting the exploratory spirit of their most adventurous work, charting a course through some of the band's most profound and powerful compositions to date. The album is a masterclass in dynamics, weaving between moments of stark, haunting beauty and immense, weighty sonics, creating a captivating landscape of tension and release.

The first preview of this powerful new direction comes with the track “Bomba Negra", a piece that plunges into the deep emotional currents of Yawning Man's singular and influential approach to instrumental rock.

Completing the vision for the album is a striking cover painting, marking the band's first collaborative effort with renowned Joshua Tree artist Diane Bennett. The album was recorded and engineered at Gatos Trail Studio by Dan Joeright, and mixed and co-produced by Mike Shear.

 
YAWNING MAN "Pavement Ends" - Out November 14th on Heavy Psych Sounds - Pre-order

TRACKLIST:

1. Burrito Power
2. Gestapo Pop
3. Bomba Negra
4. Dust Suppression
5. Pavement Ends
6. Bad Time to be Alive


Formed in 1986 under the sun of the Coachella Valley by guitarist Gary Arce, drummer Alfredo Hernandez, bassist Mario Lalli and second guitarist Larry Lalli, YAWNING MAN are considered the very founders of the desert rock movement, which was made popular by bands such as Kyuss or Queens of The Stone Age in the early 90s.

While their contemporaries gravitated toward the heavy riffs of grunge, and post-punk, YAWNING MAN leaned in another direction with their unique and organic, cinematic compositions and psychedelic improvisations: the perfect soundtrack to encompass the spacious moonscape atmosphere of the well-documented "generator parties" of their area in the late 1980s. It was at these gatherings that they developed this distinctive style and sound by enchanting spectators with their seemingly endless free-form instrumental sessions, which echoed through the beautiful deserts, mesas, and landscapes of the Coachella Valley.

As time passed, their legend grew with notable names of the Palm Desert music scene paying homage to the group through mention and praise, notably with legendary desert band Kyuss doing their own rendition of the Yawning Man track "Catamaran" on the 1995 Elektra release "...And The Circus Leaves Town". Festival appearances include Hellfest (FR), Azkena Fest (ES), Reverence Fest (ES), Desertfest London and Berlin, Up in Smoke (CH), Psycho Las Vegas (US), Stoned & Dusted I & II (US), Monolith on the Mesa (US), and various others. The recent documentaries on the desert's unique music scene "Lo Sound Desert" and "Desert Age" give light on YAWNING MAN’s influential impact on underground rock music.

YAWNING MAN lineup:

Gary Arce – guitar
Mario Lalli – bass
Bill Stinson - drums

YAWNING MAN links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

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Santa Cruz Heavy Rockers DUSTED ANGEL share "Little Lizzy" video; new album out September 19th on Heavy Psych Sounds.

Santa Cruz, California's heavy rock and metal pruveyors DUSTED ANGEL (with Bl'ast frontman Clifford Dinsmore) unleash a new video off their upcoming album "This Side Of The Dirt", to be issued on September 19th through Heavy Psych Sounds.

Says frontman Clifford Dinsmore: “It seems like songs always start with a working title and sometimes it sticks. I guess maybe at some point this song was going to be about someone named Lizzy. Then my Doom instinct takes over, and things detour into darkness. I think it's kind of inspired by the heavy hand of oppression that sometimes suffocates us all. I sometimes feel so bad for kids growing up in this era of social media and ridiculous cancel culture shenanigans. The rate of teen suicide is piking as people feel obligated to try to fit in and tow the line under the weight of AI and technology that has left the human element in the dust. Sometimes it's all we can do to try to crawl out from under it and try to breathe."

Watch Dusted Angel perform "Little Lizzy" on below

️

Dusted Angel is a band that likes to keep it in the family. Made up of a group of close friends who have known each other since the early 80s — stemming from playing in various intertwined bands, engraved in the extended Santa Cruz scene — the band features Clifford Dinsmore on vocals (Bl'ast!, Seized Up, Spaceboy), Ed Gregor on guitar (Hedgehog, No Use For A Name), Eric "Dog" Fieber on guitar (Mock, Creature, Fire Sermon) Steve Ilse on drums (Creature, Herbert, Automatic Animal) and Eliot Young (Lost in Line, Seance) on bass.

Fifteen years after their debut LP "Earth-Sick Mind", the sleeping giant awakens to delight the masses with their crushing blend of stoner rock, doom, and desert riff worship, topped with Dunsmore’s commanding vocals. Whether slow-burning or full-throttle, their music is built for volume, leaving audiences battered, blissed-out, and begging for more. Don't miss their latest single Death Crushed Hope!

New album "This Side Of The Dirt" - Out September 19th on Heavy Psych Sounds

Dusted Angel’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and reinvention. Frontman Clifford Dunsmore reflects on the band’s history, from its explosive beginnings to its triumphant resurgence. "It all started in 2008 when I heard Bill Torgerson (Bl’ast!), Eric Dog Feiber, Eliot Young, and Scott Stevens were jamming," says Dunsmore. "When mutual friend Kieth Meek told me they wanted me to join, I was intrigued. Hearing The Thorn and Seeking The Dawn for the first time blew my mind—I had to be part of it." After Dunsmore penned the song Dusted Angel, the band adopted the name as their own.

The early years were marked by relentless gigging, a 7” release, and their debut album, Earthsick Mind. But tragedy struck with the loss of Bill Torgerson. "Losing Bill was devastating—he was irreplaceable," Dunsmore admits. "The only hope was Steve Ilse, who reluctantly joined part-time." Challenges mounted when Scott Stevens faced nerve damage, slowing the band’s momentum. Still, they shared stages with Fu Manchu, High on Fire, and Melvins, keeping the fire alive.

Personal battles followed—Dunsmore survived two cancers, a bone marrow transplant, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, Dusted Angel endured, playing sparse shows as a four-piece before finding new life with guitarist Eddie Gregor. "When Eddie joined, everything clicked," says Dunsmore. "For the first time in years, we felt like a real band again."

Now, with a new album, a deal with Heavy Psych Sounds, and global ambitions, Dusted Angel is charging forward. "The momentum is unstoppable, and we’re ready for whatever comes next."

DUSTED ANGEL is

Elliot Young - Bass
Eric Fieber - Guitars
Clifford Dinsmore - Vocals
Steve Ilse - Drums
Eddie Gregor - Guitars

DUSTED ANGEL links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube

Exclusive Album Premiere of Psych Stoner Rockers ATOM JUICE Brilliant Self Titled New Album

Formed by ex-Weedpecker, Makiwara and Clockmaid members, the quintet crafts a warm multi-dimensional sound that heartily takes its cue from Pink Floyd, The Allman Brothers Band, The Beatles, Pond or Nolan Potter’s Nightmare Band. Recorded entirely in their rehearsal space, "Atom Juice" forms an aural rainbow of lush guitar layers, dreamy and alluring vocal harmonies and spacey effects, all exquisitely melding into magical landscapes and otherworldly daydreams that turn into reality as soon as you hit play. Dive in...

Recorded entirely in their rehearsal space, the album features layered guitars, rich vocal harmonies, and spacey effects — all crafted with great attention to detail.

“We poured everything we had into this record over the years it took to create it. We hope you enjoy the listen.”

We're excited to premiere the new album in full below thanks to the great folks over at Purple Sage PR and Heavy Psych Sounds.

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Atom Juice is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Doom Metallers COSMIC REAPER debut first track off new album "Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned"; out September 26th via Heavy Psych Sounds

North Carolina's stoner doom specialists COSMIC REAPER announce the release of their sophomore album "Bleed the Wicked, Drown the Damned" on September 26th via HPS Records.

Stream Cosmic Reaper's new track Pot Of Gold

Since 2017, Cosmic Reaper has carried a black-flamed torch of tradition, forged in the long lineage of doom and sludge. Emerging from the shadows of Charlotte, North Carolina, the band blends a raw, southern swing with the full circle of heavy metal, creating a sound as steeped in American mysticism as it is overloaded saturation of amplifier worship.

Their highly anticipated second full-length "Bleed the Wicked, Drown the Damned" is a deeper descent into psych-doom’s haunted core and sees a big step away from older stoner elements, promising to push their sonic boundaries further into the void—heavier, stranger, and more apocalyptic than ever before.

“Bleed the Wicked, Drown the Damned is an album we poured our hearts into. With our sophomore LP, we wanted to take our sound to a new level, but also call back to the roots of doom, with a touch of 90s angst. Lyrically, it touches on everything from standing up to tyranny, to revenge, to sacrifice, to love, lust and betrayal- all wrapped in themes of horror, science-fiction, and history. For the best listening experience: light one up, and turn it up loud.”

New album "Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned" - Out September 26th on Heavy Psych Sounds

TRACKLIST:

1. Hammer
2. Bloodfeather
3. Pot Of Gold
4. Parasites
5. Dwelling
6. Perfect Organism
7. Bones
8. Waiting by the Gallows

While their roots lie in the hallowed halls of Sabbath and Saint Vitus, the band’s DNA mutates further, pulling from the textured anger of Soundgarden and even the chaotic forces of Snapcase. Cosmic Reaper isn’t interested in simply echoing the past; they swirl it in a glass, layering a cocktail of thunderous bass and drums, brink-of-destruction fuzz, and ethereal vocals into a sonic ritual all their own.

The band’s self-titled debut, released in 2021 on Heavy Psych Sounds, announced their arrival with cataclysmic force, earning praise for its crushing atmosphere, hard rock-influenced riffs, and psychedelic accents. Tracks like “Hellion” and “Planet Eater” showcased their ability to drift between galactic doomscapes and swamp-born grooves. 2022’s follow-up, "Doom Sessions Vol. 7," saw a brief evolution in tempos and themes pulled from the remnants of the self-titled record.

Since then, much has changed. With lead guitar duties being passed not once, but twice, Cosmic Reaper welcomed guitarist Pete Snasdell into the fold. A longtime stalwart of the UK heavy music scene, Snasdell brought an evolved sense of harmony and heaviness, expanding the band’s twin-guitar attack and deepening the commitment to the cult of heavy metal. Now armed with a sharpened lineup of Thad Collis (vocals/guitar), Garret Garlington (bass), Jeremy Grobsmith (drums), and Pete Snasdell (guitar), Cosmic Reaper continues to burn slow, but ever blinding.

COSMIC REAPER is

Thad Collis - Vocals / Guitar
Peter Snasdell - Guitar
Garrett Garlington - Bass
Jeremy Grobsmith - Drums

COSMIC REAPER links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Atom Juice - Atom Juice (Album Review)

Release Date: July 11th 2025. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Atom Juice - Tracklisting

1.Hercules 

2.Gooboo 

3.Duo

4.Dead Hookers

5.Sexi Frogs

6.Honey

Members

Bartek Dobry – guitar, vocals, keyboards

Piotr Kuks – drums

Karol Melak – guitar, vocals

Patryk Tarajko – guitar, didgeridoo

Jan Rabiega – bass guitar

Guest musicians:

Mateusz Strzempa – keyboards on Hercules

Łukasz Bareja – flute on Sexy Frogs

Review

Atom Juice is a Prog/Psych/Stoner Rock band from Warsaw, Poland who are made up of former members from bands such as Weedpecker, Makiwara and Clockmaid. Their self-titled debut album takes areas of music played by the likes of Pink Floyd, The Beatles and ELO with a trippy Stoner Rock vibe which reminds me of Weedpecker playing their most tranquil and laidback jams. The album has a self aware sense of mysticism, jazz and sixties pop-rock energy which translates into some hazy Blues Rock vibes.

The record is quite different to what Heavy Psych Sounds have been releasing lately but it’s good to change your perspective at times and Atom Juice should have no trouble gaining a considerable following with this highly energetic album. The songs are simply exquisite with some huge sounding Space Rock and Post-Rock landscapes that operate with a sense of real warmth, depth and genuine humanity appearing within the lyrics.

 

Atom Juice opens the album with two stunning opening tracks of Hercules and Gooboo where the mood is wholly melancholic with some outbursts of Heavy Stoner Rock being played at the right time. However, for the most part Atom Juice creates classic moments of Prog Rock interlaced with Floydian Psych Rock energy with the heavy guitars from Bartek Dobry, Karol Melak and Patryk Tarajko creating different strands of dynamic melodies. Atom Juice can be quite cinematic and flamboyant in their creative approach with the music perhaps being quite diverse with the different types of musical instruments that they play throughout the album.

Third track Duo is my favourite track on the album with Atom Juice playing a subtle style of Post-Stoner landscapes with a mind-expanding style of Prog Rock which once again sees the Pink Floyd influence kick into overdrive with flashes of Blues Rock and Jazz Rock combining for a song with a true chameleon like effect. The vocals from Bartek and Karol have some wonderful interplay between each other showing different styles which only adds to the COSMIC journey of the whole album. The final part of the track is an extended instrumental jam which becomes quite freaky and lucid with sudden screeching and distorted instruments coming out of nowhere before settling down for a Jazz Rock swagger.

Fourth track Dead Hookers is quite a subversive and cheeky little number which brings a killer Garage Rock and Proto-Rock flow that reminds me of early era Aerosmith at times. There’s also that classic modern day Stoner Rock approach that Weedpecker were known for bringing a sense of distorted heaviness to the mix. Though, the off-kilter Soft Rock drive allows Atom Juice to experiment with Ambient noises and Space Rock sounds for some epic OTT passages that is another of the highlights of the album.

The final two tracks of Sexi Frogs and Honey are the hippest tracks of the record with Atom Juice playing with a Funk Rock attitude especially within Sexi Frogs. The mood is subtle and once again sees the band explore a freakish Heavy Stoner Rock attitude that becomes quite original and brings a lot of musical depth to the party. Honey allows Atom Juice to finish the record in true Heavy Rock fashion once again employing a wealth of different musical styles which still retains that sense of Prog Rock urgency and different sound effects contributing to a truly magnificent finish.

Atom Juice’s debut album is a thrilling piece of Psych Rock entertainment which can be very theatrical at times but this also makes this quite an original voice within the Psych Stoner Rock underground scene. This is a refreshing and highly inspired record that will leave you with a warm glow after you’ve listened to the album.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Atom Juice is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Margarita Witch Cult - Strung Out In Hell (Album Review)

 

Release Date: July 18th 2025. Record Label:Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Strung Out In Hell - Tracklisting

1.Crawl Home To Your Coffin

2.Scream Bloody Murder 

3.Conqueror Worm

4.Witches Candle 

5.White Wedding (Billy Idol cover)

6.Mars Rover

7.Dig Your Way Out

8.The Fool

9.Who Put Bella In The Wych Elm

Members

Scott Abbott - Vocals & Guitars

James Brown - Bass, Vocals, Synth, Mellotron, Guitars

George Caswell - Drums & Vocals

Review

Well, Margarita Witch Cult actually did it. They actually FUCKING did it. They’ve released an absolute unmissable record with their second album Strung Out In Hell. They may have actually made a deal with SATAN himself. This record flat out rocks with its spectacular use of Fuzz, Doom, Psych, Sludge and Stoner Metal surroundings. Throw in a contemporary style of Heavy Metal with a seedy level of fun that allows the band to grow out of the shadows from their musical heroes in creating their own style of Distorted Fuzz Metal with a sense of Psychedelic danger lurking in the midst.

Margarita Witch Cult received some great acclaim with their 2023 self titled record but the band aim for BIGGER, HEAVIER and FUZZIER movements that delivers with a sense of classic NWOBHM and PROTO METAL throwback energy whilst keeping with a seedy modern flow. The record opens with Crawl Home To Your Coffin, Scream Bloody Murder and Conqueror Worm which sees a dark POPPY effect being added whilst adding some much needed classic HARD ROCK grit with a sense of SATANIC quality appearing with the vocals and lyrics. 

The record is downright mean in places but all done in the best possible DEVIL ROCK taste with a classic style of AMPLIFIER HEAVINESS paying homage to the likes of Saint Vitus, Black Sabbath and Electric Wizard. With Uncle Acid sadly missing in action recently, Margarita Witch Cult are more than capable of taking their place with the standout tracks of Conqueror Worm and WItches Candle conjuring up a shit-ton of demonic based grooves down your spine.

Though, I’m going to say one of my favourite tracks on the album is a brilliant cover of the Billy Idol classic track White Wedding. Sure, this song has been covered multiple times before but this is one of the best versions I’ve heard of that track. As Margarita Witch Cult make it their own by adding multiple layers of GLOOMY feedback with that SATANIC presence whilst keeping the core essence of the original track. The screeching guitars and kick-ass vocals is PURE DYNAMITE.

The second half of the album does become quite spaced out with SYNTHS and MELLOTRON appearing out of nowhere which does add a true WTF crazed energy to the whole album though Margarita Witch Cult keep on the right side of Doom/Stoner Metal credibility. Songs such as Mars Rover, Dig Your Way Out and Who Put Bella In The Wych Elm generate a ton of seedy instrumental passages and highly energetic aggressive melodies that crackle with violent FUZZ ROCK attitude for the underground masses to fully appreciate.

Strung Out In Hell is the type of record that could elevate Margarita Witch Cult to greater heights against fellow Occult Doom Rockers GREEN LUNG in the next twelve months or so. The band are working with the amazing Heavy Psych Sounds again and it’s a perfect fit with this album being expertly produced with the right amount of Doomed Out coming for you at all angles for a record that’s on course to be considered on of the best underground albums of the year.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Strung Out In Hell is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram