Introduce Yourselves: HOVENWEEP

What is the name of your band?

Hovenweep

What is the genre of music that you play?

Psychedelic Stoner rock

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

From Phoenix, Arizona, Hovenweep is the quartet of vocalist/bassist Mike Hintz, guitarist Michael Fornwalt, drummer Wade Von Bogs, and organist Jesse Mitchell. Since forming in 2018, the self-proclaimed "desert rock" band has made its name via sold-out live performances with the likes of Monolord, Red Fang, Phil Anselmo and the Illegals, and Elder.

Born from the heat of the desert floor, Hovenweep’s distinct style is an amalgamation of heavy rock influences, formed into a fuzz-laden mirage. The band members first met in high school, cutting their teeth in various bands performing in Phoenix’s metal, punk, and folk scenes. The quartet formed a fast bond which blisters through your speakers, driving the decibels in an almost telepathic fashion.

Hovenweep is starting to work on new material and will look to record a new album next year.

What can people expect from your music?

Hovenweep’s brand of heavy psychedelic groove-rock deep into the reaches of outer space, while still maintaining the in-your-face creative urgency of their earlier influences. At 25 minutes in length, the band uses these first four songs to push their creative vision far into the desert void. Riding on a sweat-soaked dust devil, propelled by fuzz guitar, thunderous drums and B3 organ from hell, Salvian Journey unfolds. 

Adding a dash of Sabbath and 90’s grunge to the mix, Mike Hintz’s bluesy baritone vocals embrace you with warm familiarity. Packed with “Swirling keys, monolithic riffs, gargantuan grooves and a sinuous vocal”, Chris Beck of Doom Tomb Podcast explains Hovenweep’s ‘Salvian Journey’ EP is “a must-have”.

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

Salvian Journey

Where can people find you on Social Media?

https://hovenweep.bandcamp.com/
https://facebook.com/hovenweep
https://instagram.com/hovenweepband?igshid=1qotdbz63vlti
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6CgWXAsquheOSEwGJwqI1k?si=qtfsxXlXREihARa--bAfIQ&utm_source=copy-link

Hovenweep - Salivan Journey (EP Review)

Release date: March 27th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Salvian Journey – Tracklisting

1.Cave 06:30

2.Salvian Journey 06:21

3.The Last Ones 05:40

4.I Am A Locust 07:41

Members

Mike -Bass/Vocals

Michael -Guitar

Wade Von Bogs -Drums

Jesse -Organ/keys

Review

Salvian Journey is the new EP from Psychedelic Rock collective Hovenweep who weave different styles of Heavy Rock into their deeply emotional new release. The band are not your standard Psychedelic Rock band with Hovenweep adding elements of Grunge, Desert Rock, KrautRock and Doom Rock for a deeply satisfying sound.

Opening song – Cave – is more of exploration of different strands of music that come together at the right moment for a trippy and emotional modern sound whilst offering a classical style of Psychedelic Rock and even Post-Rock at times. The band do feel partially inspired by Russian Circles on the mellower parts of the song. Hovenweep are quite progressive in their musical thinking and their outlook with the lyrics contained on this release. The vocals are excellent and they do a great job of bringing the listener into their dark and trippy world.

Second song – Salvian Journey – is a more Desert/Stoner Rock driven song with trippy elements being added along the way. The song does take time to get going but once the haunting 90s vintage Grunge/Alternative Rock vibes appear the song fully takes flight. The vocals are more restrained on this song as Hovenweep let the music do all the talking with some of the heaviest riffs appearing on this part of the record.

The other two songs on the EP – The Last Ones and I Am A Locust – carry on the superb mix of heavy and weird styles the band play and use so well on these two songs. The EP has a strange 60s/70s Psych Rock environment but still allowing the listener to experience a heavier style of Psychedelic Stoner Rock which can be quite hard to describe in places.

If you’re a fan of bands such as King Buffalo, ELDER and Weedpecker then Hovenweep play that similar style of music whilst focusing on playing their own original style of music. The vocals are a mix of clean vocals and heavy growls and I didn’t expect the heavy growls at all. So KUDOS to Hovenweep for trying something different with this record.

The EP sounds superb from start to finish and allows Hovenweep to sound super-cool in places. The EP has quite a progressive dynamic to it all that you wouldn’t expect for a debut release.

Overall, Hovenweep have released a stunning debut EP that is overflowing with wonderful ideas that demands multiple listens to fully appreciate.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp