Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows - Inexorable Opposites (Album Review)

Release Date: February 06th 2026. Record Label: Magnetic Eye Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Inexorable Opposites - Tracklisting

1.Moss

2.Venomous 

3.Mt. Macedon

4.Dave Is Done 

5.Junior Fiction

6.Seer

7.On The Overwhelm

8.To Die

Members

Tim Coutts-Smith – vocals, guitar

Jordan Richardson – guitar

Brayden Becher – drums

Liam Barry – bass

Review

Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows with their fourth album Inexorable Excuses which sees the hugely talented foursome wander into the mist of Appalachian grooves or dare I call this “Mountain Rock”. As the main theme feels inspired by a slightly deep “Country” feel that this band gives a rather Sludge-tastic makeover with the multitude of different sounds that are contained within the record.

Lead vocalist Tim Coutts-Smith takes on a more “storyteller” role within this album and perhaps inspired vocally by the legendary Dave Wyndorf as there’s an epic resemblance on how TIm delivers his world-weary vocals and loud screams. The whole atmosphere is dominated by an aggressive Space Rock, Psych Rock and Cosmic Rock drive which comes across spectacularly well on the opening track Moss. The instrumental passages draw Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows closer to the likes of Monster Magnet, VOLUME and NEBULA than ever before.

There is a heavier and aggressive Sludge Rock aspect currently brewing in the background and fully takes over when the band let fly with some of the catchiest, freshest and heaviest melodies on the record. Though, the band never rely on any cheap progressive gimmicks as they just explore the Doomed Out and Cosmic surroundings of the entire WEEDIAN scene with distorted FUZZY passages dictating the action especially on tracks such as Venomous, Mt. Macedon and Dave Is Done. 

With a cool reliance on Science Fiction at times, Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows sounds like they’ve never been this angry especially when compared to their previous albums. This feels like a band “reborn” and delivering their most mature and grown up sounds to date that actually dares to be different at times. The later stages of the album moved into different areas of Heavy Rock perhaps dominated by the likes of All Them Witches and King Buffalo.

I fell in love with this album from the very first listen with the band using dramatic soundscapes and certain ambient melodies that still retain that “MOUNTAIN ROCK” feel. Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows aren’t afraid to slow things right down and let a more soulful Blues Rock style of Cosmic Doom to lead the listener on a trippy hallucinogenic journey but with that thrilling rhythm section of Brayden Brecher (Drums) and Liam Barry (Bass) exploring different musical dimensions of the whole Cosmic Doom/Stoner Metal movement.

Tim Coutts-Smith and Jordan Richardson level the Space Rock playing field with their epic guitar playing which does remind me of classic era Monster Magnet but still having their own original and highly vintage sound. Other standout tracks include Junior Fiction, Seer and To Die which includes some real “world-building” within the lyrics and the main creative theme of Inexorable Opposites. 

When you listen to this album multiple times you begin to notice the smaller things in the background that make this record work so well. The shift to Post-Rock, Grunge, Blues and Post-Doom landscapes is quite therapeutic and superbly hypnotic to listen to. Though, the main standout of the whole album is the lyrics. Damn. The lyrics are absolutely wonderful with Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows perhaps releasing their best story driven record to date. Everything has meaning here even when they go for an outlandish premise. This is cinematic storytelling of the highest order that left me on the edge of my seat. I maybe going slightly over the top with that observation but I’m sticking by that statement. 

However, that doesn’t stop the potential for Inexorable Opposites for being one of the standout Doom/Stoner Metal releases of the year already. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to All Noir PR and Magnetic Eye Records for the promo.

Inexorable Opposites is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Magnetic Eye Records.

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS release new lyric video 'Dave Is Done' & details of forthcoming album "Inexorable Opposites"

JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS unveil the lyric video 'Dave Is Done' as the first single taken from the forthcoming new full-length "Inexorable Opposites". The fourth album by the Australian Psychedelic Western Rockers is chalked up for release on February 6, 2026.

The lyric video 'Dave Is Done' is available to watch below: 

JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS comment: "Our first single, 'Dave Is Done', is an ode to an Australian musician friend with a neurodegenerative disease who has since passed away", vocalist and guitarist Tim Coutts-Smith explains. "Through the years, we would intermittently chat via email, the lyrics are taken from real conversations we had and attempt to offer a glimpse into his story."

Tracklist

1. Moss
2. Venomous
3. Mt. Macedon
4. Dave Is Done
5. Junior Fiction
6. Seer
7. On the Overwhelm
8. To Die

With their fourth album "Inexorable Opposites", JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS deliver a doozy of a record. The Psychedelic Western Rockers from Down Under have taken a big leap that was made possible by breaking new ground.

It pays off that the Australians have dared to take numerous creative risks, of which several stand out: First off, "Inexorable Opposites" introduces new drum powerhouse Brayden Becher, who has literally given the band an extra kick. This was amplified by employing Lewis Noke-Edwards as a third party engineer for the tracking of the drums, a first for JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS, having done their recording in DIY fashion on past albums. While the creative process was generally more collaborative than for previous releases, the album also comes with an extended range as it includes both the 'heaviest' and 'gentlest' songs the band have ever recorded.

Probably as important as the musical tweaks is the new direction that the lyrics take on "Inexorable Opposites". While there are still new tales playing out in the universe of the eponymous science fiction Western character Jack Harlon, the themes of the new songs rather revolve around the real world. Vocalist Tim Coutts-Smith was inspired by experiences both personal and from recent years as well as being influenced by his work in mental health.

This is summed up by the album's title "Inexorable Opposites" that summarises the frequently contrasting emotional and lyrical content by drawing attention to a most inspirational quote from "Man and His Symbols" (1964), the final work of Swiss psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung: "The sad truth is that man's real life consists of a complex of inexorable opposites – day and night, birth and death, happiness and misery, good and evil. We are not even sure that one will prevail against the other, that good will overcome evil, or joy will defeat pain. Life is a battleground. It always has been and always will be; and if it were not so, existence would come to an end."

Although the Outback is too far away to constitute a direct influence on JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS, their atmospheric dark Western sound draws a connecting line from Australia to Arizona. It is part of a uniquely eclectic style that explores a wide range of genres and incorporates elements of blues, stoner rock, lo-fi fuzz, spaghetti western scores, and doom metal among others.

JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS first incarnated as a side project of singer Tim Coutts-Smith around the year 2015. Over time, his steadily growing band developed into a full-fledged performing act.

From day one, Coutts-Smith centered his lyrics and themes around a fictional Western outlaw named Jack Harlon. He would often begin writing about real people and events, before turning them into characters and stories in a science fiction themed Western landscape.

JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS are also known for their DIY approach, producing most of their albums and visual art internally. As a live act, the band has mostly toured and performed in Australia including sharing stages with international acts such as GREENLEAF, SASQUATCH, WO FAT, and WHORES.

So far, JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS have released a self-titled debut EP in 2016, followed by three critically acclaimed albums and continuously growing recognition within the heavy underground: "Hymns" (2018), "The Magnetic Ridge" (2021), and "Hail to the Underground: Interpretations" (2023). The band also appeared on Magnetic Eye Records' "Superunknown Redux" tribute to Soundgarden with their fuzzed-out, hallucinatory rendition of deep cut 'Kickstand'.

JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS deliver a beautifully matured and musically experienced version of their characteristic sound on the fourth album "Inexorable Opposites". With adult lyrics that take their listeners seriously in a contemplation about the duality of life and the frequent contradictions of the self with the external world, the Australians show their growth as songwriters and musicians without losing the connection to the titanic fuzz and heavy riffs that helped put them on the map.

Line-up

Tim Coutts-Smith – vocals, guitar
Jordan Richardson – guitar
Brayden Becher – drums
Liam Barry – bass

Drum recording by Lewis Noke-Edwards at Black Lodge Studios, Brunswick, Melbourne (AU)
All other instruments engineered by Tim Coutts-Smith & Jordan Richardson at their home studios, Melbourne (AU)
Mixed by Tim Coutts-Smith at his home studio, Melbourne (AU)
Mastered by Tim Coutts-Smith at his home studio, Melbourne (AU)

Artwork by Baroquegothik
Layout by Karl Stehn (KDS Designs) & Łukasz Jaszak

Shop - https://spkr.store/collections/jack-harlon-the-dead-crows

Available formats

"Inexorable Opposites" is available as a transparent yellow vinyl LP, a marbled blue vinyl LP, and as a Digisleeve CD.

Link

www.facebook.com/jackharlondoom
www.instagram.com/jack.harlon.and.the.dead.crows

Thanks to Magnetic Eye Records for all of the details.

Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS sign deal with Magnetic Eye Records

Photo by Dylon Parr

Australian psychedelic stoner doom outfit JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS have signed a multi-album deal with Magnetic Eye Records. The exceptional and unique four-piece from Melbourne, Victoria will release their upcoming fourth full-length via the label early next year.

JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS comment: "We are beyond excited to be jumping on board with Magnetic Eye Records", vocalist and guitarist Tim Coutts-Smith enthuses on behalf of the band. "I discovered the label after buying the 'Electric Ladyland Redux' over a decade ago. and was blown away by how well all the featured bands interpreted Hendrix' sound. I began collecting more of their Redux albums, and never in a million years did I think that our band would ever be featured on one of those tribute compilations, let alone end up signing to the label that releases these beauties! Unreal!"

Jadd Shickler adds: "Jack Harlon's first album 'Hymns' caught my attention immediately for its unique blend of fuzzed-out stoner rock and pummeling doom with this twanging Morricone-esque swerve into old western scores," the Magnetic Eye director explains. "I cannot say, if their music really is the soundtrack of the Australian outback or if I've just made this up in my head because of where they're from. But either way, there's an exotic quality to how they approach massive riffs and dreamy psych, which to me sounds like a blend of Afghan Whigs and Monster Magnet with Church of Misery and Nick Cave. I've already had the pleasure to work with them on a couple of one-off projects, so welcoming them fully onto the Magnetic Eye roster alongside their regular tour-mates Greenleaf is something I've been anxiously pursuing for some time. I can hardly wait to share and elevate their music to every nook and cranny of our beloved scene!"

Quite often, music is thought to be influenced by the terroir from which it originates, much like wine. According to this theory, Norwegian black metal has been shaped by deep dark fjords and frostbitten winters, while desert rock just had to be developed in the Mojave or another arid place. What to make, then, of a band hailing from Melbourne, Victoria at the south-eastern tip of Australia?

Ruling out Tasmania, Antarctica, and the Outback as too far away to constitute a direct influence, it is not easy to fit the unique sound of JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS into this premise. Well, for the sake of a narrative, their eclectic style that explores a wide range of genres and incorporates elements of blues, stoner rock, lo-fi fuzz, spaghetti western scores, and doom metal could be interpreted as a reflection of the city's high level of diversity with many of its inhabitants originating from elsewhere on the globe.

Leaving speculation aside, it is an established fact that JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS started out as a side project by singer Tim Coutts-Smith around the year 2015. Over time, the band developed into a full-fledged performing act.

Since day one, Coutts-Smith centered his lyrics and themes around a fictional western outlaw named Jack Harlon. He would often begin writing about real people and events, before turning them into characters and stories in a science fiction themed western landscape.

JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS are known for their 'DIY' approach as they have produced most of their albums and visual art internally. As a live act, the band has mostly toured and performed in Australia including sharing stages with international acts such as GREENLEAF, SASQUATCH, WO FAT, and WHORES.

So far, JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS have released a self-titled debut EP in 2016, followed by three critically acclaimed albums and continuously growing recognition within the heavy underground: "Hymns" (2018), "The Magnetic Ridge" (2021), and "Hail to the Underground: Interpretations" (2023). The band also appeared on Magnetic Eye Records' "Superunknown Redux" tribute to Soundgarden with their fuzzed-out, hallucinatory rendition of deep cut 'Kickstand'.

JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS are currently preparing to release their new fourth album via Magnetic Eye Records in early 2026.

Band: Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows
Label: Magnetic Eye Records
Style: Psychedelic Stoner Doom

Line-up

Tim Coutts-Smith – vocals, guitar
Jordan Richardson – guitar
Brayden Becher – drums
Liam Barry – bass

Live

18 OCT 2025 Melbourne (AU) Stay Gold
15 NOV 2025 Melbourne (AU) The Evelyn
06 DEC 2025 Melbourne (AU) Cactus Room

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

 

 Thanks to Magnetic Eye Records for all of the details.

Apocalyptic desert psych unit JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS to release new album on Blues Funeral Recordings; first video and preorder up!

Melbourne's psychedelic fuzz rockers JACK HARLON & THE DEAD CROWS share the first single and video taken from their forthcoming third album "Hail to the Underground", to be issued on February 17th through Blues Funeral Recordings. Watch their fire-driven new video for "My Pal" right now!

As Australia began a series of flash pandemic lockdowns in early 2021, Melbourne psychedelic fuzz rock band Jack Harlon & the Dead Crows’ prolific frontman Tim Coutts-Smith began experimenting with home recording some of his favorite old songs. This rabbit-hole deep-dive eventually led him to bring the fans in on the project, with a social media post inviting suggestions of old underground songs they'd like to hear “Harlon-ified".

The result is 'Hail to the Underground,' a collection of renditions by Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows selected for their musical importance and personal meaning, with the general throughline being that none of the original artists are household names. Filtered heavily through the spaced-out psychedelia of Jack Harlon's inimitable style, this fuzz-drenched, genre-crossing love letter includes songs by under-the-radar icons like Bauhaus, God, Butthole Surfers, Joy Division, The Melvins, and more.

Watch Jack Harlon & The Crows new video "My Pal"
Listen to the song on all streaming platforms

About the cover, guitarist and vocalist Tim Coutts-Smith comments: “The debut cover is a tribute to the Australian band GOD, who formed in 1986 and released the song 'My Pal' in 1988. The song is seen as a national treasure by a lot of alternative Aussie bands with it being covered by artists such as Magic Dirt, Violent Soho and Peabody. Our band put a call out to our fans to ask which songs they would like performed in our sound. We received an overwhelming response requesting we cover 'My Pal'. I've always loved this song, so the choice was a no-brainer. There is something so mysterious and strangely emotional about this song which, despite its simplicity, I can never fully put my finger on.”

"Hail to the Underground" will be released worldwide on February 17th, 2023 on various vinyl editions, digipack CD and digital, with preorder available now through Blues Funeral Recordings. 

Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows "Hail to the Underground"
Out February 17th on Blues Funeral Recordings
Preorder the album on the website and Bandcamp

TRACKLIST:
1. My Pal (God)
2. Copache (Melvins)
3. You Made Me Realise (MBV)
4. Dust Devil (Butthole Surfers)
5. Day Of Lords (Joy Division)
6. Roll & Tumble (Hambone Willie Newbern)
7. Dark Entries (Bauhaus)
8. Eye Shaking King (Amon Duul II)

 

Formed in 2016, Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows are a psychedelic fuzz rock band from Melbourne, Australia, who incorporate elements of blues, stoner rock, folk and doom metal into their distinctive sound. Much of their music follows the character of drug-addicted outlaw Jack Harlon, with songs that spin tales of desperation and survival in a fictitious western landscape.

In 2018, the band independently released their debut album 'Hymns,' which Outlaws of the Sun called "an exciting record that actually takes genuine creative risks and a psychedelic and spaced out journey packed full of inventive ideas and heavy riffs". The album was highlighted as one of the best albums of 2018 by Doom Charts and was subsequently re-released by independent tastemaker labels Tuff Cuff Records and Copper Feast.

Their follow-up album 'The Magnetic Ridge' was released in 2021 via Psychedelic Salad Records, with Heavy Blog Is Heavy characterizing the massive LP as "enough to tickle your frontal lobe as much as it rattles your eardrums". Skipping to the renaissance year of 2023, the band is now ready to unleash the power of their third full-length with 'Hail to the Underground' on Albuquerque, NM-based independent label Blues Funeral Recordings.

Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows is

Josh McCombe - Drums
Tim Coutts-Smith - Vocals, Guitar
Jordan Richardson - Guitar
Liam Barry - Bass

Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows links

Facebook⎮Bandcamp⎮Instagram⎮Spotify

Blues Funeral Recordings links

Website⎮Facebook⎮Bandcamp⎮Instagram | Youtube

Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows - The Magnetic Ridge (Album Review)

Release Date: 17th May 2021. Record Label: Psychedelic Salad Records (Vinyl) / Forbidden Place Records (CD/Cassette). Format:CD/DD/Vinyl/Cassette

The Magnetic Ridge - Tracklisting

The Tale Of
The Magnetic Ridge
De La Luna
Rat Poisoning
Dream Sequence 1
Langoiler
Stray
Dream Sequence 2
The Painter In The Woods
Absolved Pt 1
Absolved Pt 2
Black Road

Review

Aussie Psych Doom/Stoner Rockers Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows make a welcome return with their new album The Magnetic Ridge. Coming 3 years after their acclaimed debut album In Hymns, this album sees the band expand their gloomy style of music. The band play a different style of Psych Rock, Doom and Stoner Rock with a slight “Americana” and Experimental edge to their psyche.

The Magnetic Ridge features 12 songs that perhaps carry on the story of the enigmatic and drug addicted outlaw who featured on the first album. The album is perhaps best described Neil Young making a Doom based “Outlaw Rock” record. The lyrics are quite earnest and self reflecting from beginning to end though helped along by a ton of cool heavy sounds. If you’re a fan of EARTH and Across Tundrass then Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows aim for that similar atmosphere and environment those bands are known for.

Opening song - The Tale Of - is a cautionary tale of villains and outlaws with the band playing a slow-paced style of Americanca and Stoner Rock. The music is cautiously slow and only offers a brief amount of heavy grooves towards the end of the song but they give this song a much needed boost in confidence and supreme Stoner Rock heaviness.

Second song - The Magnetic Ridge - sees the band get straight down to business in playing spaced out and psychedelic noises matched against distorted heavy guitars with an eerie outlook. The atmosphere is bleak but the music is extremely creative and powerful with a subtle Blues Rock riff coming out of nowhere. There are many layers to this song which give an “All Them Witches” influence appearing on the vocals and how the band deliver the excellent story but still remaining true to their own creative powers.

Third song - De La Luna - is an almost 90 second instrumental song offering a cool Desert/Stoner Rock experience with a “Shamanic” feel to it all. An excellent little number that provides an eerie and unsettling approach to the album.

Fourth song - Rat Poisoning - offers the trippiest and perhaps best song on the record. The band runs wild with their creative ideas on this song. Warped psychedelic noises, beautifully played Blues Rock grooves and a lo-fi Doom/Stoner Rock atmospheric backdrop all build up to quite a surreal song that the band always excel at. The heavy guitars are quite forceful and the sound effects build upto an experimental style of Stoner Rock.

Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows go weirder, wilder and even bolder on the later stages of the album with songs such as: Langoiler, Stray, The Panther In The Woods, Absolved Pt 1, Absolved Pt 2 and Black Road allowing the band the opportunity to further expand their great blend of Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Rock with a warped sense of Trippy Paranoia being used within the bleak lyrics and heavier moments of the record.

This album to myself personally is the record that All Them Witches should have made for their last album. Though, this is still a Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows record and I admire the bold creative choices they made for this album. This all builds upto a beautifully surreal and heavy sonic experience that improves on every aspect of their debut album.

The Magnetic Ridge is a wonderful album and will no doubt be counted as one of 2021’s best Doom/Stoner Rock albums when the year is out.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Your Mate Bookings and Psychedelic Salad Records for the promo.

The Magnetic Ridge will be available to buy on Vinyl through Psychedelic Salad Records and CD/Cassette through Forbidden Place Records. The album will be out on May 17th 2021 with Pre-Orders going live from May 10th 2021.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows - HYMNS (Album Review)

Release date: July 06th 2018. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Hymns – Tracklisting

1.Los Plagas 04:12

2.Witchcraft 06:22

3.Ed Parsons 05:23

4.Byroad 03:23

5.Hyperplasia 05:07

6.John Becomes The Universe 06:41

7.Ghoul 04:17

8.No More Bastard Children 07:21

Members

Jack Harlon 3,

Lightning Bolts Richardson

The Ghost Of Ed Parsons

One Giant Pig

Review

I don't know why I thought originally Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows was a name for An Americana or Country & Western band. Then I listened to their new album - Hymns. And boy wasn't I impressed. As these guys are more closely associated with All Them Witches, GEEZER and Black Sabbath. As the music is a mix of Psych, Blues, Stoner Rock, Doom and heavy spaced out sounds. Put this altogether and you have one exciting blend of highly atmospheric rock and roll.

Opening track - Los Plagas - does have a slight Americana feel but that soon gives way to a heavy psychedelic blues rock sound with an intriguing "Sci-fi" premise. The lyrics are way out there at times but it's the music that holds your attention with the band playing a slow-paced sound. Then the whole mood of the album changes for the better with the dramatic "doomed" out sounds of second track - Witchcraft.

This song definitely owes a huge debt of gratitude to Black Sabbath but Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows soon settles down creating their own sound. The swirling psychedelic sounds even have the early swagger of All Them Witches but with a more robust and angrier attitude. The music does veer off into many different directions and maybe to jarring for some but there is a lot of fun to be had with this track.

The lyrics give Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows a decidedly creepy edge and the lyrics are probably one of the albums main strengths. As the band write some great lyrics that cut right to the bone. The music is the main highlight though with Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows never settling on a standard sound. Most of the songs on Hymns sound very different to each other and that's a very hard thing to pull off.

The heavy psychedelic doom atmosphere of the third track Ed Parsons is one of my favourite songs on the album. As the hazy and psychedelic riffs leave you wanting more. The song is very progressive and shows you how Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows is creating a different sound of their own. The production is handled superbly well. With the album flowing naturally and never losing focus.

The second half of the album sees Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows continue with their style of Psychedelic Doom and Spaced Out Stoner Rock on great songs such as: Hyperplasia, John Becomes The Universe and the excellent final song – No More Bastard Children.

Overall, Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows have created an exciting record that actually takes genuine creative risks and it becomes an even more rewarding listening experience as a result. If you're in the mood for a psychedelic and spaced out journey packed full of inventive ideas and heavy riffs then look no further as Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows are the real deal. Hymns is a must have album.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp