Exclusive Album Premiere Of Blues Rock/Stoner Rockers THE HEAVY EYES Stunning New Album FOCUS

The Heavy Eyes are ready to lead heavy rock lovers to the promised land with what can already be described as an instant classic!

Focus is the band's long-awaiting fifth studio album, FOCUS, a record brimming with new energy and cementing their stomp-inducing riff-rock as it transcends into heavier sonic realms. Sprawling guitar solos caress gargantuan grooves while languid, soulful vocals preach the gospel of a band reborn.

We're pretty excited to have the guys back in action and THE HEAVY EYES don't disappoint with their best record to date. You can hear the album in full with this exclusive album thanks to the great folks over at Purple Sage PR.

The Lowdown

Formed in the sweltering Memphis heat, The Heavy Eyes — Tripp Shumake (guitar/vocals), Matthew Qualls (guitar), Wally Anderson (bass) and Eric Garcia (drums) — forge a lean, no-frills sound rooted in the power of heavy blues and classic rock. Originally a trio, Shumake, Anderson and Garcia bonded over shared influences like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, quickly carving out their own identity with a self-titled debut recorded in a break room and praised for its unmistakable grit.

The 2012 follow-up, Maera, sharpened their attack with its immediate, riff-driven songwriting and a thunderous rhythm section, while 2015’s He Dreams of Lions marked their first proper studio recording and introduced guitarist Matthew Qualls. By 2018, Qualls was a full-time member, and the band began crafting their fourth album, Love Like Machines. The road to that album was anything but straight. Recorded between New Mexico and Memphis, its completion was threatened when Shumake was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease. Battling fatigue from treatment, he pushed through to finish the vocals, delivering a more polished yet unmistakably raw version of the band’s sound.

Though the album's 2020 release and a long-awaited European tour were derailed — first by the pandemic, then by Shumake’s successful kidney transplant in 2022 — The Heavy Eyes never stopped moving forward. Now, in 2025, The Heavy Eyes are gearing up to self-release their fifth studio record in collaboration with Magnetic Eye Records, as well as bringing their electrifying live show to European stages.

The Heavy Eyes is

Tripp Shumake - guitar/vocals
Matthew Qualls - guitar
Wally Anderson - bass
Eric Garcia - drums

The Heavy Eyes links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

You can buy FOCUS On CD/DD/Vinyl via the links below:

KOZMIK ARTIFACTZ and MAGNETIC EYE RECORDS

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

The Heavy Eyes - Focus (Album Review)

Release Date: June 12th 2026. Record Label: Magnetic Eye Records / Kozmik Artifactz. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Focus  - Tracklisting

1.That Cold Goliath

2.Concrete Halloween

3.It's All Simone

4.Sarissa

5.Corporal Upham

6.Troublesome Priest

7.Focus

8.Greener

9.Words

10.That Cold Goliath (Might Return)

11.Holy Envy

Members

Tripp Shumake - guitar/vocals

Matthew Qualls - guitar

Wally Anderson - bass

Eric Garcia - drums

Review

Heavy Blues Rockers The Heavy Eyes make a welcome return after a six year absence with their latest album Focus which is superbly named as this is perhaps their most focused, biggest and boldest album yet. However, there’s a sense of retrospection that appears within the album as the band write some emotionally engaging lyrics for this record. The record does start off quite low-key with the excellent slow-paced track of That Cold Goliath that blends Classic Rock and a sullen Blues Rock sound then all hell breaks loose after this song finishes.

The Heavy Eyes go all guns blazing with a mighty new found “SONIC” energy in their creative step with the stunning second track Concrete Halloween where there’s a glorious Garage Rock, Punk Rock and Stoner Rock delivery appearing on different stages of the track. There’s a thrilling Seventies Hard Rock identity that’s always bursting to get out from the seams with a distorted Fuzz Rock swagger that comes the band’s main weapon of choice to deliver those delicious heavy grooves. 

The majority of the tracks only last around three minutes and four minutes in length so there’s not many progressive sounding moments which gives this record a classic “ALL KILLER & NO FILLER” approach. The record is filled with a ton of never-ending instrumental solos that feels likes The Heavy Eyes have been studying the legendary artists that influenced them and put their own great spin especially on tracks such as It’s All Simone, Sarissa, Corporal Upham, Focus, Words and That Cold Goliath (Might Return).

As stated previously earlier in the review, The Heavy Eyes have a new found heavy reliance on Psychedelic and Sonic melodies which is perhaps the creative glue that holds everything together. Though, the classic sound they’ve delivered on earlier records is still fully intact here. However, the sound has a more magnificent Psych Rock flow which allows the record to be quite heavy than you initially expect. The stripped back production values aligns the band more closely to the likes of The Who and The Rolling Stones with that impressive musical delivery that transports you back to the great days of the Classic Hard Rock scene.

There is a distinctive Doom Rock and Proto-Metal vibe that does appear when you least expect this with sludgy, dirty and fuzzy guitars becoming the more dominant sound on the later stages of the record. The Heavy Eyes have always been one of those bands always willing to experiment with their sound with every album they’ve released to date and this is no different. There’s a rich storytelling aspect appearing within this album that allows every track to tell its own distinctive story. 

Focus is pure blockbuster entertainment with grooves of the highest order and proves why The Heavy Eyes are one of the most important Heavy Blues Rock bands the scene currently has right now.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

You can buy FOCUS On CD/DD/Vinyl via the links below:

KOZMIK ARTIFACTZ and MAGNETIC EYE RECORDS

The Heavy Eyes links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Robot God - Onto The Afterlife (Album Review)

Release Date: 01st May 2026. Record Label: Kozmik Artifactz & Black Throne Productions. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Onto The Afterlife - Tracklisting

1.Soldier of Love 06:40

2.Onto the Afterlife 06:11

3.Cerebral Annihilation 08:57

4.I am the Night 11:13

5.Long Goodbye 08:19

Members

Matt Allen - Bass,Vocals & Synth

Raff Iacurto - Guitar, Vocals & Synth

Tim Pritchard - Drums & Synth

Review

Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers Robot God return with their latest sonic conquest Onto The Afterlife after the two critically acclaimed albums (Portal WIthin and Subconscious Awakening) in 2024. This album continues the Psychedelic and Space Rock trajectory of those albums but with a more confident Grunge, Blues and Sludge Rock attitude. The band are also releasing another album called Curse Of The Driven to be released later this year and this is perhaps the first part of a much more expanded story.

Creative cues from the likes of Black Sabbath, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, MONOLORD and KYUSS are just some of the bands you can hear throughout this album. However, Robot God are wise enough to formulate their own plans of Sonic Distortion which comes into life on the excellent opening track Soldier Of Love which pairs up the legendary SABBATHIAN heavy DOOMED OUT sound with the murky grunge attitude of Soundgarden. The level of overlapping psychedelic melodies and grounded vocals opens Robot God to new areas of seedy heaviness with a great level of mass distortion emitting from all corners.

There’s a slight dependency on Prog Metal and Proto-Metal which gives a surreal creative attitude which could even allow Robot God to move over to the Post-Stoner Metal brotherhood where the likes of ELDER and KING BUFFALO reign supreme. The influx of Ambient sounds and Post-Rock passages comes across superbly well on tracks Onto The Afterlife and Cerebral Annihilation with that gloomy “APOCALYPTIC” approach holding everything together.

The dual vocals from Matt Allen and Raff Iacurto work superbly well together and even against each other when they’re both trying to battle for vocal supremacy within the band. Robot God adds some thrilling use of intricate Psychedelic sound effects and Space Rock loops that allows the album to drift into heavier pastures.

Onto The Afterlife becomes vastly more creative within the second half as Robot God experiments even further with distorted fragments and down-tuned grooves on tracks such as Cerebral Annihilation, I Am The Night and Long Goodbye. Despite the fantastical element of the music, the album can be quite real with Robot God writing some killer socially aware lyrics that puts the record on a more subversive level with real intelligence appearing from start to finish.

Robot God have once again delivered the goods with Onto The Afterlife which perhaps leaves a few questions unanswered which maybe fully answered when their next album Curse Of The Driven is released in the second half of the year. 

Words by Steve Howe

Robot God Links:

Bandcamp | Youtube | Facebook | Spotify

PSYCH/SPACE/STONER ROCKERS ROBOT GOD ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM "ONTO THE AFTERLIFE " - OUT MAY 1ST

Sydney heavy psychedelic rock force Robot God announce the release of their long awaited new album Onto the Afterlife, arriving May 1st. This album channels towering riffs, hypnotic rhythms, and expansive atmospheres into a journey that explores mortality, rebirth, and the mysteries that lies beyond the unknown.

Recorded at The Grove Studios in September 2025, Onto the Afterlife captures the band at their most focused and ferocious, blending crushing riffs, hypnotic grooves, and cosmic atmosphere into a powerful statement of intent, with a sound that sits comfortably alongside the modern heavy psychedelic and doom underground while pushing the band’s evolving identity forward. Onto the Afterlife is an album designed to be experienced from start to finish, a full ritual, immersive, emotional, and unapologetically loud.

Onto the Afterlife” will be released on vinyl through Kozmik Artifactz, renowned for championing underground heavy music worldwide, with distribution in the US via Glory or Death Records and Canada handled by Black Throne Productions, ensuring the record reaches listeners across the international stoner, doom, and psychedelic rock community.

In the lead-up to the release, Robot God have released two singles that offer a glimpse into the album’s scope and energy. The title track Onto the Afterlife sets the tone with a slow burning, cinematic rise into massive, immersive heaviness, while follow up single Soldier of Love reveals another dimension of the record, blending emotional intensity with massive riffs and anthemic power.

With growing momentum from recent releases and an expanding audience across streaming platforms and live shows, Robot God are positioning Onto the Afterlife as their most ambitious and fully realised work to date. Fuelled by relentless creativity, Robot God will also unleash a second album titled Curse of the Driven, in the second half of 2026. Two new albums, one year, Robot God are firing on all cylinders.

Artist: Robot God
Album: Onto the Afterlife
Release Date: May 1st, 2026
Formats: Vinyl and Digital
Vinyl: Kozmik Artifactz & Black Throne Productions
Genre: Heavy / Psychedelic / Doom Rock

Tracklist:

A1 Soldier Of Love – 6:40
A2 Onto The Afterlife – 6:03
A3 Cerebral Annihilation – 8:56
B1 I Am The Night – 11:14
B2 Long Goodbye – 8:19

Robot God are:

Matt Allen - Bass,Vocals & Synth
Raff Iacurto - Guitar, Vocals & Synth
Tim Pritchard - Drums & Synth

Robot God Links:

Bandcamp | Youtube | Facebook | Spotify

Thanks to Robot God and Kozmik Artifactz for the details.

Memphis Heavy Rockers THE HEAVY EYES to release new album "Focus" on June 12th; debut single "Troublesome Priest" available now!

Memphis, Tennessee's heavy blues and rock powerhouse THE HEAVY EYES are set to return with their anticipated fifth studio album "Focus" in collaboration with Magnetic Eye Records and Kozmik Artifactz this June 12th, and present the debut single "Troublesome Priest" today!

 
Stream new single "Troublesome Priest" at this location 

Six years after their last offering, The Heavy Eyes return with their most electrifying work yet. Their forthcoming new album Focus is 11 tracks brimming with new energy, cementing the band’s stomp-inducing riff-rock and transcending into heavier sonic realms. Sprawling guitar solos caress gargantuan grooves while languid, soulful vocals preach the gospel of a band reborn — ready to lead heavy rock lovers into the promised land with what can already be described as an instant classic.

About the album, guitarist and vocalist Tripp Shumake comments: “This album is The Heavy Eyes taking everything that has inspired us in the musical landscape and not giving a damn if it fits our particular genre. We want to use those impressions to bend our sound into new and exciting ideas for the listener and us, while still remaining true to our Memphis rock and roll roots. To focus on the thrill of creating something that wasn’t there before.”

Focus will be available on June 12th, 2026 on vinyl, CD and digital in collaboration with Magnetic Eye Records and Kozmik Artifactz, with preorders available from Bandcamp and MER's official store.

New album "Focus" - Out June 12th in collaboration with Magnetic Eye Records & Kozmik Artifactz (LP/CD/digital)

TRACKLIST:

1. That Cold Goliath
2. Concrete Halloween
3. It's All Simone
4. Sarissa
5. Corporal Upham
6. Troublesome Priest
7. Focus
8. Greener
9. Words
10. That Cold Goliath (Might Return)
11. Holy Envy

Formed in the sweltering Memphis heat, The Heavy Eyes — Tripp Shumake (guitar/vocals), Matthew Qualls (guitar), Wally Anderson (bass) and Eric Garcia (drums) — forge a lean, no-frills sound rooted in the power of heavy blues and classic rock. Originally a trio, Shumake, Anderson and Garcia bonded over shared influences like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, quickly carving out their own identity with a self-titled debut recorded in a break room and praised for its unmistakable grit.

The 2012 follow-up, Maera, sharpened their attack with its immediate, riff-driven songwriting and a thunderous rhythm section, while 2015’s He Dreams of Lions marked their first proper studio recording and introduced guitarist Matthew Qualls. By 2018, Qualls was a full-time member, and the band began crafting their fourth album, Love Like Machines. The road to that album was anything but straight. Recorded between New Mexico and Memphis, its completion was threatened when Shumake was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease. Battling fatigue from treatment, he pushed through to finish the vocals, delivering a more polished yet unmistakably raw version of the band’s sound.

Though the album's 2020 release and a long-awaited European tour were derailed — first by the pandemic, then by Shumake’s successful kidney transplant in 2022 — The Heavy Eyes never stopped moving forward. Now, in 2025, The Heavy Eyes are gearing up to self-release their fifth studio record in collaboration with Magnetic Eye Records, as well as bringing their electrifying live show to European stages.

The Heavy Eyes is

Tripp Shumake - guitar/vocals
Matthew Qualls - guitar
Wally Anderson - bass
Eric Garcia - drums

The Heavy Eyes links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Magnetic Eye Records links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Madmess - The Third Coming (Album Review)

Release Date: May 09th 2025. Record Label: Glory or Death (USA), Kozmik Artifactz (EU), and gig.ROCKS! (PT). Formats: DD/Vinyl

The Thirds Coming - Tracklisting

1.Death by Astonishment

2.Widowmaker

3.Velvet Nebula 

4.Endless Cycles

5.Burnt!

6.Hazy Morning 

7.Sauerkraut

Members:

Electric guitar/vocals: Ricardo Sampaio

Bass guitar: Vasco Vasconcelos

Drums/percussion: Pedro Cruz

Keys/ Synths: Marco Lima

Review

Psych/Prog/Stoner Rockers Madmess return with their third full length album The Third Coming that combines old-school Hard Rock sounds with lush sounding Prog Rock melodies. There’s a sense of urgency to Madmess music especially where the 1970’s Proto-Metal and Blues Rock sound comes from. Pounding drumming and freaking instrumental jams are the main order of business for Madmess to deliver their heavy grooves upon the listener. With a subtle sideline in distorted Psych Rock attitude, the record is quite offbeat and devilishly off-beat when the record showcases a fine style of Retro Rock heaviness. 

Madness are not adverse to slowing the mood right down with a streetwise Blues Rock attitude which comes across with the almost DOOM & GLOOM inspired opening track Death By Astonishment. This is purely an instrumental number with Madmess showcasing an impressive array of different styles of music that evolves quite differently with the majority of the tracks contained on the album,

Second track Widowmaker has a vivid Proto-Doom energy whilst keeping with a groovy sideline in FUZZ and GUITAR PEDAL WORSHIP with Led Zepp and Black Sabbath instrumental power and riff wizardry being developed and fully delivered with superb vocals to match. The inclusion of distorted Space Rock flows once again allows Madmess to think outside the box and play with Prog Rock influences that gives them a wicked OLD SCHOOL vibe especially when the mood is slowed right down. There is a feeling of Post-Rock energy merged with Blues Rock attitude once again showcasing many different sides to Madmess.

Third track Velvet Nebula is built upon epic waves of Classic Rock, Space Rock, Psych Rock and modern day Stoner based movements. There’s a fuzzed up STOP / START process that comes mostly through the wicked rhythm section from Pedro Cruz (Drums / Percussion) and Vasco Vasconcelos (Bass). Marco Lima can only be classed as the resident ASTRONAUT in attendance with his sublime performance on Keys and Synth. Ricardo Sampaio impresses as well on Vocals and Electric Guitar duties where he shows a great style of Prog Rock and Blues Rock extended instrumental jams and complete psychedelic freakouts of the highest order

Madmess fully explore and develop their subtle Psych, Space and Prog Rock sound even further with subtle flashes of Stoner Rock, Ambient and Post-Rock environments coming into play mostly on Endless Cycles and Hazy Mornning. Though, the band offset this style of music against heavier areas of Hard Rock, Doom and Proto-Metal which sees Madmess playing different genre rules, tropes and conventions completely against each other with brilliantly inspired results.

The Third Coming is a soulful and brilliantly mysterious record that brings a whole lot of different thrills, spills and genuine excitement which impresses throughout from start to finish.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Kozmik Artifactz PR for the promo.

Third Coming will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl from Saturday 09th May 2025 via the links below:

Kozmik Artifactz Records

Glory Or Death Records

Gig Rocks

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Dead Shrine - Cydonia Mensa (Album Review)

Release Date: April 25th 2025. Record Label: Kozmik Artifactz. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Cydonia Mensa - Tracklisting

1.Serpents of the Sun 04:27

2.Cydonia Mensa 05:40

3.The Sacred Light 04:39

4.Monuments 06:18

5.Temple of Saturn 05:06

6.Redeemer 04:06

7.Evolution Garden 04:27

8.Illumination of Knowledge 07:51

Members:

Craig Williamson - Everything

Review

Chances are that if you’re reading Outlaws of the Sun, you probably already know the name Craig Williamson. You might know his work from other bands such as Arc of Ascent, Dautra, and/or Lamp of the Universe. Or perhaps you better know him as the multi-instrumentalist and mastermind behind this one-man project named Dead Shrine. Well, after a two-year span since the highly acclaimed album The Eightfold Path, Dead Shrine has returned and here we are again soaking up another dose of heavy fuzzed out psychedelia and stoner rock riffage with Cydonia Mensa. 

If you happen to be unfamiliar with Dead Shrine, you’ll soon learn from the beginning of ‘Serpents of the Sun’ that groove is a dominant enduring force behind the music. It’s recurring and utilized throughout Cydonia Mensa, holding you captive within its grasp. Another aspect of the album that will completely ensnare you are Craig’s vocals that are mostly accompanied by an echo effect, adding extra depth and space to his already efficient singing. There are even some backup singers on the title track ‘Cydonia Mensa’ and ‘Redeemer’ that bring additional texture to the mix. 

For those that love wicked guitar solos, tracks like ‘The Sacred Light’ and ‘Temple of Saturn’ have got you covered. The guitarist sounds as though he’s in a contest with the devil as he blazes through with a Wah attack and delivery, banishing the evil spirit back to hell. Taking a step back from the more Stoner/Psych Rock sound is ‘Monuments’ with its repetitive Stoner/Doom-laden riffing and overall diabolical feel creates a dystopian landscape and seemingly conquers new territory for Dead Shrine. It is heavy, melodic, and my personal favorite of the album.

Another track that seems to broaden Cydonia Mensa into new realms is the Planet Caravan invoking ‘Evolution Garden’. Escorted by acoustic guitar and softer vocals it opens us to a celestial bath of Heavy Psych and fallen stars. ‘Illumination of Knowledge’ is a grooving song with a heavy low-end that not only summarizes Dead Shrine but also makes sure that just as the album began with a powerhouse that you’re left with one at the conclusion. 

Fans of 2023’s album The Eightfold Path will most likely be delighted with Cydonia Mensa, it not only retains the signature Dead Shrine sound but also builds upon the framework that was laid down before with some nice surprises along the way. New fans will find plenty of qualities to relish as the album’s eight tracks are overflowing with endless groove and captivating moments. You’ll find yourself returning to it and who knows, Cydonia Mensa may become your new favorite album! 

Words by Jon McGough

Cydonia Mensa is available to buy on DD/Vinyl now via Kozmik Artifactz and other good stockists.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

The Kryss Talmeth Experience - When The Wheels Fall Off (Album Review)

Release Date: December 06th 2024. Record Label: Kozmik Artifactz. Formats: DD/Vinyl

When The Wheels Fall Off - Track Listing:

1.Jump Into The River 06:46

2.Media Content 05:51

3.When The Wheels Fall Off 06:12

4.Gentleman's Surprise 04:16

5.Jamie's Revenge 05:06

6.Pleasure Monkey (bonus track) 05:29

7.Rough Guide To Tripping Through The Desert 14:32

Members

Guitar/Vocals/Percussion - Craig Carnegie

Bass - Mark Quinn

Drums - Matt Curtis

Review

Psych/Blues/Stoner Rockers The Kryss Talmeth Experience is a band who focus upon dirty sounding Heavy Psych Rock which oozes moments of Proto-Metal, Classic Doom and high amounts of ear-deafening fuzz. Inspired by the likes of CREAM, BLUE CHEER, The Doors, Led Zepp and The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

The record is a collection of trippy extended jams with frantic FUZZY guitar work that allows the subtle Blues Rock energy to take a leading and commanding performance from the very start. The band may focus upon the classic heyday of 1960’s and 1970’s Hard Rock energy but that PROTO based attitude allows the record to be quite modern sounding for huge parts of the album.

The production values are rich in detail with The Kryss Talmeth Experience showing a fondness for distorted Space Rock movements, melodies and textures with certain Prog Rock appeal along the way. WIth a catchy array of FUZZ ROCK attitudes that develops into a heavier AMPLIFIER DISTORTED atmosphere on the early tracks of Jump Into The River, Media Content and When The Wheels Fall Off impressing with is OTT psychedelic jams and surprising modern day lyrics especially within the excellent second track of Media Content.

The Kryss Talmeth Experience may develop and create music that was initially played over half a century ago, the record does have a winning modern day aesthetic within the lyrics and kick-ass sludgy grooves that appear out of nowhere within Media Content which then develop into a heavier form of music across the remainder of the album. 

The band find their true calling on the second half of the record with the instrumental sounds being more aggressive, direct and powered by a muscular PROGRESSIVE charge on tracks such as: Jamie’s Revenge, Pleasure Monkey and Rough Guide To The Tripping Through The Desert which is perhaps the heaviest and WEEDIAN inspired track on the whole album.

When The Wheels Fall is dynamite entertainment from start to finish with The Kryss Talmeth Experience providing classic sounding grooves and outstanding riffs that ultimately demands your full attention.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

You can buy When The Wheels Fall Off now on DD/Vinyl via Kozmik Artifactz

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

VOLUME - Joy Of Navigation (a trip through the eternal unknown) (Album Review)

Release Date: November 01st 2024. Record Label: Golden Robot (digital) / Kozmik Artifactz (vinyl). Format: DD/Vinyl

Joy Of Navigation (a trip through the eternal unknown) - Track Listing:

1.Mercury Pull

2.Joy Of Navigation 

3.Heavy Sunshine

4.The Golden Age 

5.Spacebaby

Members

Patrick Brink - Guitars/Vocals

Ed Mundell (Monster Magnet) - Lead Guitar

Mike Amster (Nebula, Spoon Benders)- Drums

Abraham Parker - Bass/ Acoustic / Electric Sitar / Rhodes / Piano / Synth /Backing Vocals

David Catching - Synth, Moog

Review

Stoner Metallers VOLUME return with their new mini-album Joy Of Navigation (a trip through the eternal unknown) which features around thirty minutes of classic Spaced Out Stoner Metal with a vintage Punk Rock vibe throughout the whole album. This is a supergroup of sorts on this record alone with appearances from Ed Mundell (Monster Magnet), Mike Amster (Nebula), Abraham Parker and David Catching lending their creative talents to VOLUME head-honcho - Patrick Brink.

VOLUME were one of the unsung Stoner Rock/Metal bands within the late 90’s until they originally split back in 2004. The band have reformed with VOLUME re-releasing their seminal record Requesting Permission To Land back in October 2023 to critical acclaim. So I’m pleased to say Joy Of Navigation (a trip through the eternal unknown) is another classic record for the band with VOLUME bringing the nostalgic vibe in a big way that screams 1990’s Stoner Metal attitude throughout the whole album.

This feels like the twisted and bolder offspring of NEBULA, Monster Magnet and FU MANCHU but with a more Out There and Spaced Out Spirit which comes into life with the standout track Mercury Pull. 

The song lasts around nine minutes with VOLUME blending Middle Eastern sounds and LSD influenced lyrics that perhaps owes a nod of gratitude to Dave Wyndorf in places but Patrick Brink builds his own blend of tantric mantra with a subtle style of 1960’s philosophy before the aggressive Stoner Metal passages appear. Catchy SPACE ROCK sounds and Ambient rhythms allows VOLUME to create their own highly anthemic blend of raw-sounding grooves that shines a light to the classic era of STONER METAL.

The album then leaves the progressive sounds of the opening track behind and aims for a Punk Rock vibe with frantic Garage Rock obsessive STONER based sounds allowing the record to be more rebellious with each passing moment especially on tracks such as Joy Of Navigation, The Golden Age and Spacebaby. 

The record feels more powerful when VOLUME adds a Speed Rock element to their music and sludgy guitars within Joy Of Navigation and Heavy Sunshine. If Joy Of Navigation (a trip through the eternal unknown) was released back in the 1990’s then it would easily be considered one of the landmark records of the Stoner Rock/Metal era. This allows VOLUME to create an album with an essential timeless quality which should appeal to a wide section of the Stoner Rock/Metal community.

The lyrics are wonderfully subversive and quite playful with VOLUME living up to the true ROCK & ROLL lifestyle in so many ways within the short running time of the whole album. This is a record I’ve completely fallen in love with from the very first listen as it takes you back to the golden age of Stoner Rock/Metal whilst still having something original to say as well.

Joy Of Navigation (a trip through the eternal unknown) is one of the must have records to own right now and one that can easily speak for any generation of the Stoner Rock scene. And with this being called a “Mini Album” then I’m hoping VOLUME has new music in the near future. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to US/THEM PR for the promo.

Joy Of Navigation (a trip through the eternal unknown) will be available to buy via the following records and formats listed below:

Golden Robot (digital) / Kozmik Artifactz (vinyl)

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram