Unique Heavy Psych Project MONKEYS ON MARS - with Monkey3 & Mars Red Sky - to unleash new music video "Hear The Call".

Photo credit: Liss Eulenhertz

French-Swiss supergroup MONKEYS ON MARS - gathering all the musicians from psych/prog bands Mars Red Sky and Monkey3 - have unveiled their 13-minute music video Hear The Call.

The project is kicking off an extensive tour this month. All dates but France below.

Directed by Seb Antoine, new video "Hear The Call" is made up of images taken from the movie 'Time Machine' (1960) and live footage shot by Seb Antoine and Antoine Duclos at Westill Festival in France on October 2025. We find ourselves immersed in an apocalyptic, retro-futuristic, and slightly offbeat World, which will serve (among other things) as a setting for a series of live shows.

On stage, three bands will be performing during 2 hours: Monkey3, Mars Red Sky and Monkeys On Mars. What to expect? A Mars Red Sky show featuring Monkey3, followed by a Monkey3 show featuring Mars Red Sky, followed by the Monkeys On Mars show. Mars Red Sky and Monkey3 will be kicking off the night randomly as Monkeys on Mars will always be closing. No break!
­

TOUR | Tickets

16.04.2026 WINTERTHUR [CH] Gaswerk
17.04.2026 LAUSANNE [CH] Docks
18.04.2026 MILANO [IT] Legend - unique date in Italy !
19.04.2026 MUNICH [DE] Backstage
20.04.2026 DRESDEN [DE] Chemiefabrik
21.04.2026 BERLIN [DE] Neue Zukunft
22.04.2026 HAMBURG [DE] Kent
23.04.2026 NIJMEGEN [NL] Doornroosje
24.04.2026 HAARLEM [NL] Patronaat
25.04.2026 KARLSRUHE [DE] P8
10.07.2026 ERFURT [DE] Stoned From The Underground

The Lowdown

MONKEYS ON MARS is more than a simple collaboration, it is a bold fusion of two heavy psych/prog forces. Self-titled EP delivers two expansive space-prog journeys, clocking in at 11 and 13 minutes. The music perfectly blends their dreamlike yet dark soundscapes. Monkey3 bring kraut-infused effects and convincing heavy riffs to Mars Red Sky's tortured melodies. 

All carried by a pachydermic rhythm section: two drums, two basses. “Seasonal Pyres” showcases the crystalline voice of Mars Red Sky's frontman Julien Pras while “Hear The Call” is entirely instrumental. 'Monkeys On Mars' was recorded by Guillaume Desboeufs (Monkey3) at The Missing Link Studio (Lausanne, Switzerland) and Benjamin Mandeau (recording and mix) at Cryogene Prod Studio (Bègles, France). Mastering by Alexis Bardinet at Globe Audio Studio in Bordeaux, France. 

The record dropped on October 17th 2025 through Mrs Red Sound at the following formats: vinyl, CD, digital.

Links

Instagram | BandCamp | Official

Thanks to Shake Promotion PR for the details.

Monkeys On Mars - Monkeys On Mars (EP Review)

Release Date: October 17th 2025. Record Label: MRS Red Sound. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Monkeys On Mars - Tracklisting

1. Seasonal Pyres

2. Hear The Call

3. Seasonal Pyres (Tiny Flames Edit)

Members

Julien Pras: vocals, guitar (Mars Red Sky)

Boris De Piante: guitar (Monkey3)

Jimmy Kinast: bass (Mars Red Sky)

Jalil Perrenoud: bass (Monkey3)

Mathieu Gazeau: drums (Mars Red Sky)

Walter Albrecht: drums (Monkey3)

Guillaume Desboeufs "dB":  keys & sounds (Monkey3)

Review.

When I first heard of this collaboration, I was immediately excited. I mean the super spacey and lead guitar frenzy of Monkey3 mixed with the down tuned stoner psych of Mars Red Sky sounded like a match made in the celestial heavens. I initially thought there were going to be a few members from both bands, but after doing some research it’s both bands combined. That’s right, two guitarists, two bassists, two drummers, plus keyboards, and vocals. A full-on partnership of both bands, a true supergroup of epic proportions within the heavy underground, the band known as Monkeys On Mars! 

Pulsating Sci-Fi sounds of a control panel fill the air, a subtle metallic ‘ting’ of cymbals build in the tiny tin cabin. Just before the two-minute mark the rest of the band(s) kick in on Seasonal Pyres, the first track of the Monkeys On Mars EP. If you’re a fan of the band then you already know that Mars Red Sky’s frontman Julien has one of the most recognizable and unique voices you may ever hear, his haunting pitch and falsetto cutting thoroughly through the mix. Crazy enough I wasn’t the biggest fan when I first heard them over ten years ago. It took some coaxing, but coaxed I was, resulting in MRS becoming one of my favorite bands. 

Another big factor on this track is the synth/key work of dB from Monkey3, while used as a backing instrument it may be more in the back but gives that extra layer and ‘fullness’ and ‘cosmic-ness’ to the song. Of course, those familiar with Monkey3 know of lead guitarist Boris and his sonic onslaught of the six-string. His guitar work helps elevate the spacey feel of Seasonal Pyres. Instead of a full-on assault, he uses the space between, weaving in soloistic highs that pierce reality while complementing the bass and other instruments. At five minutes in we reach a bridge of sorts which strips back down to the drums and bass with an almost tribal-like tom-fill. As the bass joins in you can feel the slow build up as the vocals join back in. It all comes crashing back into the addictive chorus with additional lead parts and an absolutely gripping escalation and conclusion. You can add this track to both bands’ repertoire as being one of their best and certainly one of the best collaborations of the year! 

Beating out Seasonal Pyres in time by a few minutes is the thirteen minute long Hear the Call. As the floating capsule is in autopilot, maintaining its fuel, the track itself is a slow burner at its inception, filled with heavy psych and the wonder of the expanse that surrounds. Being an instrumental there are highs and lows that Monkeys On Mars traverse that a traditional song might otherwise not take. It also plays into Monkey3’s expertise and the lead guitarist is finally let loose to destroy guitar solos in his typical fashion. With the absence of vocals, you can hyper-focus on any piece, any instrument and feel the energy being released. 

There’s a somber mood across the track, and it plays into the title. The calling of despair, the calling out into nothingness, the lost feeling of no one there to answer, longing for someone, anyone to Hear the Call. While there are only two tracks (there are also two edited versions of Seasonal Pyres) the EP contains just under twenty-five minutes of material combining the two worlds of two amazing long-lasting bands. 

Obviously, if you’re a fan of either or both, it’s a no-brainer to pick up. And if you love super spacey, heavy psych, and music that can elevate you to distant, other worldly places then this is likewise for you. Let us hope that more comes out of this transcendent collaboration, but in the meantime mark your calendars for Oct. 17th when Monkeys On Mars deliver a stellar strike to the heavy underground with their self-titled EP. 

Words by Jon McGough

Thanks to Shake Promotion for the promo.

Monkeys On Mars is out to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from 'Out October 17th 2025 on Mrs Red Sound - PRE-ORDER

 

Links

Instagram | BandCamp | Official

Exciting space rock collective MONKEYS ON MARS to unveil interstellar extract off forthcoming EP: "Seasonal Pyres".

Photo credit: Liss Eulenhertz.

Thrilling heavy psych/prog outfit MONKEYS ON MARS are made up of Swiss quartet Monkey3 and French trio Mars Red Sky. The band unleash a first track taken from their eponymous debut EP, out this October 17th 2025 on Mrs Red Sound. "Seasonal Pyres [Tiny Flames Edit]" comes with its vintage dreamy lyrics video.

MONKEYS ON MARS is more than a simple collaboration, it is a bold fusion of two heavy psych/prog forces. Self-titled EP delivers two expansive space-prog journeys, clocking in at 11 and 13 minutes. The music perfectly blends their dreamlike yet dark soundscapes. Monkey3 bring kraut-infused effects and convincing heavy riffs to Mars Red Sky's tortured melodies. All carried by a pachydermic rhythm section: two drums, two basses. “Seasonal Pyres” showcases the crystalline voice of Mars Red Sky's frontman Julien Pras while “Hear The Call” is entirely instrumental.

MONKEYS ON MARS release “Seasonal Pyres [Tiny Flames Edit]”, a distilled version of the original track. The video was directed by Sébastien Antoine.

MONKEYS ON MARS - "Seasonal Pyres [Tiny Flames Edit]" official music video

'Monkeys On Mars' was recorded by Guillaume Desboeufs (Monkey3) at The Missing Link Studio (Lausanne, Switzerland) and Benjamin Mandeau (recording and mix) at Cryogene Prod Studio (Bègles, France). Mastering by Alexis Bardinet at Globe Audio Studio in Bordeaux, France. The record is dropping on October 17th 2025 through Mrs Red Sound at the following formats: vinyl, CD, digital.

MONKEYS ON MARS debut EP 'Monkeys On Mars'
Out October 17th 2025 on Mrs Red Sound
Vinyl, CD, digital: PRE-ORDER

Artwork: Johrice

MONKEYS ON MARS will perform a series of special shows thanks to Doomstar Bookings and 3C Tour to present their forthcoming EP in full. A big 2026 tour announcement is planed by the end of September.

Info & tickets

17.10.2025 SELESTAT [FR] Rock Your Brain
18.10.2025 ANTWERP [BE] DesertFest Belgium
19.10.2025 DUISBURG [DE] Bora
31.10.2025 VALLET [FR] Westill Festival
16.08.2026 CARHAIX [FR] Motocultor Festival

MONKEYS ON MARS ARE:

Julien Pras: vocals, guitar (Mars Red Sky)
Boris De Piante: guitar (Monkey3)
Jimmy Kinast: bass, vocals (Mars Red Sky)
Jalil Perrenoud: bass (Monkey3)
Mathieu Gazeau: drums, vocals (Mars Red Sky)
Walter Albrecht: drums (Monkey3)
Guillaume Desboeufs "dB": keys & sounds (Monkey3)

Links

Instagram | BandCamp | Official

Thanks to Shake Promotion for the details.

Heavy progressive trio MARS RED SKY to unveil new video "Slow Attack" : a sumptuous motorbike triptych!

Heavy progressive trio MARS RED SKY to unveil new video "Slow Attack" : a sumptuous motorbike triptych!

Photo credit: Jessica Calvo.

Bordeaux-based doom-psych/heavy-progressives MARS RED SKY launch a video featuring three tracks off their new album ‘Dawn Of The Dusk’ - released back in December on Mrs Red Sound and Vicious Circle Records.

MARS RED SKY's new video "Slow Attack" focuses on a biker gang roaming through a retro-futuristic setting. It's reminiscent of Mad Max or Easy Rider, but the video is more modern, with a female character at the centre of the action. The short film includes the songs "Trap Door", "Slow Attack" and "Heavenly Bodies" from the band's latest album, ‘Dawn Of The Dusk’. It was directed by Seb Antoine at Fort Rainbow, Cestas (France), with the help of Ronan Boudier and Hugo Vandekerckhove.

Say the band: "The big idea to shoot vintage bikes in a Wild West setting came up to our film director Seb Antoine. He knew we loved old motorcycles and he had a whole plan in mind. We are working with him for 10 years now, we completely trusted him. And we were right! The shooting was really fun, with family and friends. Have fun watching it and take care of you."

MARS RED SKY - Slow Attack (official video)

"Dawn Of The Dusk" - MARS RED SKY's fifth studio effort - is a genuine conceptual piece of work skilfully designed to take the listener on a journey through a shifting, unpredictable and even utterly disconcerting sonic universe. The trio explore progressive and post-metal territories with boundless inspiration. The eight-track record is packed with the band's overflowing inspiration that have made their reputation in France and around the World over the last 10 years. Video extracts: Break Even, The Final Round. Available on CD, LP and digital via Mrs Red Sound and Vicious Circle.

MARS RED SKY have announced the second leg of their American tour (USA and Canada) with special guest Howling Giant. Including four shows with Black Lung. Details and tickets at this location.

05.12.2024 BALTIMORE, MD (USA) Metro Gallery w/ Black Lung
06.12.2024 BROOKLYN, NY (USA) TV Eye w/ Black Lung
07.12.2024 CAMBRIDGE/BOSTON, MA (USA) Middle East w/ Black Lung
08.12.2024 PHILADELPHIA, PA (USA) Milk Boy w/ Black Lung
10.12.2024 ASHEVILLE, NC (USA) Eulogy
11.12.2024 LOUISVILLE, KY (USA) Portal
12.12.2024 DETROIT, MI (USA) Sanctuary
13.12.2024 YOUNGSTOWN, OH (USA) Westside Bowl
14.12.2024 TORONTO, ON (CA) Monarch Tavern
15.12.2024 MONTREAL, QC (CA) Foufounes Electriques
29.03.2025 LEIDEN (NL) Interstellar Solar Fest

Brought up on bands like Sonic Youth, The Jesus Lizard or My Bloody Valentine, Bordeaux-based outfit MARS RED SKY had no idea that they were about to become French stoner scene cornerstones when they founded the band in 2007. Yet the heavy psychedelic trio already share many similarities and obvious connections with the "heavy and slow" community. Free from any musical genre consideration, the musicians build their very own style on the tracks of the underground pioneers. Julien Pras' ethereal and melodic voice emerges from a thick and complex rhythm, carried by sci-fi literature's lyricism. Almost cinematic, MARS RED SKY's sounding has a peculiar and unique flavor, standing out within the heavy rock scene.

New album 'Dawn Of The Dusk' came out on December 8th 2023 on Mrs Red Sound and Vicious Circle Records.

LINE-UP:

Julien Pras: vocals, guitar
Jimmy Kinast: bass, vocals
Mathieu Gazeau: drums

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thanks to Shake Promotion for all of the info.

Mars Red Sky - Dawn Of The Dusk (Album Review)

Release Date: 08th December 2023. Record Label: MRS Red Sound / Vicious Circle. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Dawn Of The Dusk - Tracklisting

1. Break Even

2. Maps of Inferno

3. The Final Round

4. A Choir of Ghosts

5. Carnival Man

6. Trap Door

7. Slow Attack

8. Heavenly Bodies

Members

Julien Pras: vocals, guitar

Jimmy Kinast: bass

Matgaz: drums

Review

Psych/Stoner Rock visionaries Mars Red Sky return with their new album Dawn Of The Dusk and sees the band breakdown their music into a more conceptual style of Art Rock with elements of their trademark Psych, Doom, Space and Stoner based sounds being added of that classic style of MRS based heaviness. Mars Red Sky even taps into creative influences such as Russian Circles and David Bowie for this release.

Dawn Of The Dusk may not be your standard MRS album and may actually confuse their established fanbase at first. However, there’s a magical style of Psychedelic Doom being played throughout the whole album. The Post-Rock leaning atmospherics of the later stages of the album does have moments of heavy tripped out Cosmic/Space Rock flavours with Julian’s sweet-natured vocals being the main conduit for the band to establish that emotional rapport and connection with the listener as what happened with all MRS releases.

The opening two tracks of the album Break Even and Maps Of Inferno sees Mars Red Sky sticking to their tried and tested winning formula with heavy fuzz rock sounds and melodic strands of Cosmic Doom which allows the listener to fully come on board with the albums main artistic message and vision. Multi-layered effects and fuzzy guitars combine for a dramatic and more gloomier sound. Julian’s vocals become slightly fractured and operatic within Maps Of Inferno which starts to show small instances of the creative left-turn MRS will take next.

Third song The Final Round sees bassist Jimmy Kinast take over vocal duties and offer a more cerebral 1980’s Alt-Rock vision and delivers a stunning vocal rendition inspired by David Bowie in places. The song flirts between Post-Punk and Gothic melodies with a more twisted and nuanced style of Doom/Stoner Rock that can be quite romantic in places even with the more AMPLIFIER WORSHIP driven guitars.

Fourth song A Choir Of Ghosts allows MRS to return to the Post Apocalyptic style of Fuzzed Up Cosmic Doom with Post-Metal flourishes appearing between the cracks of the Sludge/Stoner Rock jams that remain some of the heaviest on the whole album. This is purely an instrumental song which allows MRS to revisit heavy progressive sounds not heard since their earlier albums.

Fifth song Carnival Man is classic MRS through and through. The instrumental moments convey a deep mysterious sense of Post-Rock/Post-Metal heaviness with slow-paced Fuzz leaning Doom/Stoner grooves. Julien is back performing vocal duties and this is MRS doing what they do best. Highly confident Cosmic/Space/Fuzz Rock sounds with that Stoner Rock swagger that allows Mars Red Sky to play their delicate, heavy and aggressive style of delicious sounding music. The song retains a sense of Post-Rock urgency within the mellower and slow-paced moments of the track.

The final three tracks of the album Trap Door, Slow Attack and Heavenly Bodies opens the world of Mars Red Sky to a more bombastic and progressive style with lush orchestral and instrumental moments being quite ethereal in places especially on tracks such as Slow Attack and Heavenly Bodies.

The final track Heavenly Bodies sees the welcome return of Queen Of The Damned (Helen Ferguson) who both collaborated previously earlier this year on their acclaimed EP.  This song is a brave and bold choice to close the album with. As it’s a semi-acoustic track with Helen’s soothing vocals and folk-rock instrumental moments. So don’t go expecting an all out HEAVY STONER ROCK track, as this allows the album to end naturally and peacefully.

Dawn Of The Dusk shows a different side to the band but one that is still a highly original album that allowws Mars Red Sky to still be considered as one of the most inventive bands within the Psychedelic Doom/Cosmic/Stoner Rock scenes. With first class production values throughout, Dawn Of The Dusk is another AOTY contender from Mars Red Sky. 

Words by Steve Howe 

Thanks to Shake Promotion PR for the promo.

Dawn Of The Dusk will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via MRS Red Sound and Vicious Circle from Friday December 08th 2023.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

French heavy psych torchbearers MARS RED SKY to issue new album 'Dawn Of The Dusk' on December 8th: enjoy first extract "Break Even".

Photo by Jessica Calvo

Doom-psych / heavy-progressive project MARS RED SKY reveal details on their new album 'Dawn Of The Dusk' - due out on December 8th 2023 via Mrs Red Sound and Vicious Circle Records. Fuzz-laden video extract "Break Even" is due out now where you can watch below.

Direction by Clara Griot

Dawn Of The Dusk': the beginning and the end are one. Mirror effects, reversals, double-dealing, deterioration... This fifth studio effort from French heavy psychedelic stalwarts MARS RED SKY is a genuine conceptual piece of work skilfully designed to take the listener on a journey through a shifting, unpredictable and even utterly disconcerting sonic universe. 

Bordeaux-based trio explore progressive and post-metal territories with boundless inspiration. Their original signature of jagged vocals and thundering rhythm is spiced up by drones and various mid-kraut rock and mid-gothic effects. The atmospheres and settings are finely crafted, with Julien Pras's voice adding a delicious pop languor. Debut single "Break Even" shapes the components of the album into a kind of reversible allegory, as appealing as disturbing. The video directed by Clara Griot invites us to enter their post-apocalyptic world with wild open eyes.

MARS RED SKY's new record 'Dawn Of The Dusk' is coming out on December 8th via Vicious Circle (Slift, We Insist!, Shannon Wright, The Psychotic Monks) and Mrs Red Sound (their own imprint) on coloured LP, CD digisleeve, streaming and download. It will be available for preorder on October 25th through both labels. All songs by Mars Red Sky except Maps Of Inferno by Mars Red Sky and Queen Of The Meadow (off their latest EP). Produced, recorded and mixed by Benjamin Mandeau at Cryogène Studio in Bègles, France. Mastering by Ladislav Agabekov (of hardcore band Nostromo) at Caduceus Studio in Gimel, Switzerland.

MARS RED SKY New album 'Dawn Of The Dusk'
Out December 8th 2023 on labels Mrs Red Sound and Vicious Circle Records.

TRACK LISTING 'DAWN OF THE DUSK'

1. Break Even 
2. Maps of Inferno
3. The Final Round
4. A Choir of Ghosts
5. Carnival Man
6. Trap Door
7. Slow Attack
8. Heavenly Bodies

Brought up on bands like Sonic Youth, The Jesus Lizard or My Bloody Valentine, Bordeaux-based outfit MARS RED SKY had no idea that they were about to become French stoner scene cornerstones when they founded the band in 2007. Yet the heavy psychedelic trio already share many similarities and obvious connections with the "heavy and slow" community. 

Free from any musical genre consideration, the musicians build their very own style on the tracks of the underground pioneers. Hypnotic, exhilarating, heavy, their self-titled debut album conquered the very select heavy family and brought the trio to the biggest international rock and metal stages (SXSW, Hellfest, Desertfest, Roadburn). On stage, they manage to recreate their sophisticated studio atmospheres and to deliver the special sonic touch that characterises them. Their live shows absorb the listener, lose him into a visual and vibrant limbo and take him into another dimension.

A series of EP releases follow, including a split with post-metal sextet Year Of No Light in 2012. In 2014, MARS RED SKY begin a collaboration with French label Listenable Records and welcome their new drummer Matgaz to replace Benoît Busser who decides to leave the band. Together they complete the albums "Stranded In Arcadia" (2014), "Apex III (Praise For The Burning Soul)" (2016) and "The Task Eternal" (2019). Matgaz's vision and musicianship create depth in the trio's personality, which take a darker and more massive turn throughout these three productions.

The band's latest EP (out April 2023 on Mrs Red Sound & Vicious Circle) features dark folk artist Queen Of The Meadow. The power of psychedelic heavy meets the depth of dark folk harmonies in a complex and exhilarating flavor. The daring combination opens up the genres to a whole new dimension.

New album 'Dawn Of The Dusk' is set to be released on December 8th 2023 on both record labels Mrs Red Sound and Vicious Circle Records.

MARS RED SKY are:

Julien Pras: vocals, guitars
Jimmy Kinast: bass, vocals
Matgaz: drums

Links

Official| Facebook | BandCamp

Thanks to Shake Promotion for all of the details. 

Stoner Rock Icons Mars Red Sky Announce 2023 European Tour

Visionary Psych Stoner Rockers Mars Red Sky have announced a new European Tour. Details showing below.

31.10.2023 AUDINCOURT, FR – Le Moloco
03.11.2023 CHAMBERY, FR – LA SOUTE
11.11.2023 NIORT, FR – Rise & Fall Festival
16.11.2023 VANNES, FR – L’ECHONOVA
17.11.2023 VALLET, FR – Westill
18.11.2023 ARGENTEUIL, FR – La Cave Argenteuil
01.12.2023 MACON, FR – Matilda
02.12.2023 OLTEN, CH – OltenAir Rock Session
03.12.2023 GENEVA, CH – UNDERTOWN
05.12.2023 REGENSBURG, DE – Alte Mälzerei
06.12.2023 VIENNA, AU – ARENA WIEN
07.12.2023 DRESDEN, DE – Chemiefabrik Dresden (Chemo)
08.12.2023 JENA, DE – KuBa
09.12.2023 SIEGEN, DE – FREAK VALLEY FESTIVAL Winter Edition
19.01.2024 AMIENS, FR – 1001 Bières Amiens
20.01.2024 ISSY-LES-MOULINEAUX, FR – Le Réacteur
02.02.2024 CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE, FR – LaPéniche
03.02.2024 STRASBOURG, FR – La Laiterie Artefact
07.02.2024 LYON, FR – Marché Gare
21.03.2024 ANGERS – Le Chabada – Angers (club et salle de concerts)

There's a few exciting announcements fron the band coming in October. The European Tour News is just the start. 

More details here for the European Tour:  https://marsredsky.rocks/tour

Thanks to Shake Promotion for all of the details 

Links

Official| Facebook | BandCamp

Mars Red Sky: Mars Red Sky & Queen Of The Meadow (EP Review)

Release Date: April 28th 2023. Record Label: MRS Red Sound / Vicious Circle. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Mars Red Sky & Queen Of The Meadow: Tracklisting

1.Maps Of Inferno

2.Out At Large

3.Maps Of Inferno (shortcut) 

Mars Red Sky

Julien Pras: guitars, back-up vocals 

Jimmy Kinast: bass

Matgaz: drums

Queen Of The Meadow

Helen Ferguson: lead vocals and melodies

Review

French Stoner Rock Pioneers Mars Red Sky team up with Dark Folk Artist Queen Of The Meadow for the stunning new EP - Mars Red Sky & Queen Of The Meadow. The end result is a release that explores the well known Psych/Stoner Rock sounds Mars Red Sky are known for but this time with a majestic Dark Folk Rock aspect courtesy of Helen Ferguson AKA Queen Of The Meadow.

The EP is quite experimental from Mars Red Sky but their trademark Psyched Out jams are here but merged with Helen’s sultry and gothic vocals. The sounds are constantly heavy and offer brief glimpses of Doom Rock that will appeal to fans of Chelsea Wolfe and Windhand when everything becomes louder on certain stages of the EP.

The opening track Maps Of Inferno is the standout track as it features warped psychedelics and gloomy theatrics with Helen’s vocals being the main focus at times. Instrumental work is primarily handled by Mars Red Sky and their Doomed Out and Fuzz based grooves are impressive as ever. The lyrics have a contemporary flow to them which delves both into Occult and Gothic based themes. There’s an eerie level of distortion towards the later stages of the track that left me wanting to hear more.

Second song Out At Large feels inspired by the extended jams from Mars Red Sky classic 2014 album Stranded In Arcadia and primarily Hovering Satellites. The vocals from both Helen and Julien have a sense of warmth and respect for each other. The psychedelic and instrumental parts of the first half of the track are quite low-key but do have a sense of heaviness and progressive to them. The song is quite slow-paced but there’s a fine amount of different styles of music that becomes quite uplifting even when the Space Rock moments appear within the final moments. 

Third song Maps Of Inferno (shortcut) is a shorter version of the opening track that has a more Eastern flavour with more focus given to Helen’s vocals.

Mars Red Sky & Queen Of The Meadow is a very diverse release featuring a wide array of different Psych, Stoner and Folk sounds. The EP is bound to keep long-time fans of Mars Red Sky extremely happy and perhaps allow Queen Of The Meadow to gain some new fans along the way. 

If you want a more daring style of Psych Stoner Rock then Mars Red Sky & Queen Of The Meadow is the release for you. This is a first rate release from start to finish. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Shake Promotion for the promo.

Mars Red Sky & Queen Of The Meadow  is available to buy on DD/Vinyl via MRS Red Sound and Vicious Circle from April 28th 2023.

Links

Online Store: https://marsredsky.bigcartel.com
Bandcamp: https://marsredsky.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marsredskyband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marsredsky
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarsRedSky1
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgxmlXUs0y1vzLJMH2_HHjQ

France's psychedelic doom stalwarts MARS RED SKY to announce new dates across the UK and Ireland with Weedeater and Telekinetic Yeti.

Doom progressive veterans MARS RED SKY are back on track with a full UK and Ireland tour announcement. They will be sharing the stage with North Carolina sludge/stoner legends Weedeater and US heavy psych heavyweights Telekitenic Yeti. Mars Red Sky will also be playing some nice festivals such as Astral, DesertFest London, Dominion or Kriston Fest. Let there be loud!

Impossible to miss French trio MARS RED SKY on the road this Spring. According to some posts and their social medias, the Bordeaux-based psych doom band are up to new audio material. This tour should be the best way to hear more about it. Stay tuned...

TICKETS : marsredsky.rocks/tour

18.02.2023 ERFURT Bandhaus Erfurt
29.02.2023 VIENNA Echoes of Erebos
30.02.2023 BRISTOL Astral Festival
01.05.2023 CARDIFF The Globe Cardiff *
02.05.2023 DUBLIN The Grand Social*
03.05.2023 GLASGOW Cathouse Rock Club*
05.05.2023 SHEFFIELD Corporation Sheffield*
05.05.2023 MANCHESTER Factory Manchester*
06.05.2023 DURHAM Dominion Festival
07.05.2023 LONDON Desertfest London
27.05.2023 MADRID Kristonfest
26.08.2023 RILLAAR Down The Hill

* With Weedeater and Telekinetic Yeti.

Brought up on bands like Sonic Youth and The Jesus Lizard, Bordeaux-based outfit MARS RED SKY had no idea that they were about to become French stoner scene cornerstones when they founded the band in 2007. Yet the heavy psychedelic trio already share many similarities and obvious connections with the "heavy and slow" community. 

Free from any musical genre consideration, the musicians build their very own style on the tracks of the underground pioneers. Julien Pras' ethereal and melodic voice emerges from a thick and complex rhythm, carried by sci-fi literature's lyricism. Almost cinematic, MARS RED SKY's sounding has a peculiar and unique flavour, standing out within the heavy rock scene.

To record their self-titled debut album, they shut themselves up in a remote house in the wilderness of the Spanish desert. Hypnotic, exhilarating, heavy, the release conquered the very select heavy family and brought the trio to the biggest international rock and metal stages (SXSW, Hellfest, Desertfest, Roadburn, Eurockéennes), as well as opening for major acts such as Sleep, Dinosaur Junior, Kyuss Lives!, Killing Joke, Detroit or Gojira. 

On stage, they manage to recreate their sophisticated studio atmospheres and to deliver the special sonic touch that characterises them. Their live shows absorb the listener, lose him into a visual and vibrant limbo and take him into another dimension. Beyond a simple concert, it is a real sensorial experience that is proposed.

A series of EP releases follow, including a split with post-metal sextet Year Of No Light in 2012. In 2014, MARS RED SKY begin a collaboration with French label Listenable Records and welcome their new drummer Matgaz to replace Benoît Busser who decides to leave the band. Together they complete the albums "Stranded In Arcadia" (2014), "Apex III (Praise For The Burning Soul)" (2016) and "The Task Eternal" (2019). Matgaz's vision and musicianship create depth in the trio's personality, which take a darker and more massive turn throughout these three productions.

Eager for original projects, MARS RED SKY decide to release their debut album in December 2021, to celebrate the band's 10th anniversary, by providing an online tool for re-mixing it. The album is available via their own record label Mrs Red Sound, through which they support French heavy rock scene.

LINE-UP:

Julien Pras: vocals, guitar
Jimmy Kinast: bass
Matgaz: drums

LINKS

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Thanks to Shake Promotion for all of the details.

Mars Red Sky - The Task Eternal (Album Review)

Release date: September 27th 2019. Label: Listenable Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Task Eternal – Tracklisting

1. The Proving Grounds

2. Collector

3. Recast

4. Reacts

5. Crazy Hearth

6. Hollow King

7. Soldier On

8. A Far Cry

Members

Julien Pras - guitars, vocals

Jimmy Kinast - bass guitar, vocals

Mathieu Gazeau - drums

Review

It is always exciting times when Mars Red Sky releases a new album. So when opus four, 'The Task Eternal' is upon us it is nothing but joy to hear them play the beauty they have created with their magic wands. Don't know where their source of inspiration and creativity comes from, I mean four full-lengths and six EPs in 12 years is something else. I, for one, am not complaining though because Mars Red Sky are one of those rare entities who gets better and better with each new release. Perhaps they are like a red claret from their home region of Bordeaux which gets richer, fuller and tastier as the years roll on.

There's no mistaking that this is a Mars Red Sky long player since all their wonderful traits are present; the groove, the melodies, the other-worldly sounds and amazing imagery they project are all there. However, to me, there is one big difference, or addition, if you will. A darker tone is present in the sound throughout, which subsequently brings a new twist to the proceedings.

It all starts in opener, ‘The Proving Grounds’. The drums and the bass guitar really lay it down while keeping the pace mid-tempo. And that, combined with trippy guitars and hypnosis inducing vocals floating on top of everything, brings forth this new, darker feel to Mars Red Sky’s music. Wonderful! And this continues on ‘Collector’. Here the rhythm section is even more sinister with the guitar tone moving in a sphere between dark and spaced out layering. All while the vocals retains a trance-inducing meditative stance. Dropping down from mid-tempo to doom pace and stripped down ‘Recast’ is a strange but wonderful beast. Jimmy and Mathieu are relentless on the bass guitar and drums respectively which allows Julien to switch back and forth between crushing riffs, intergalactic solos and general badassery. It leads into the instrumental ‘Reacts’ without skipping a beat. However, it becomes more upbeat early on as the band kind of jams out…only to become almost funeral doom. And that solo, man, absolutely wonderful!

Almost bluesy wrapped in a slow lurking doom cloak ‘Crazy Hearth’ is mesmerizing and seductive. A lot of that comes from the extraordinary combination of the music and the vocals. Again Mars Red Sky are heavy and dark but the vocals, many times sung in harmony, creates amazing images in a way only this trio can do it. That beat in ‘Hollow King’ is pretty intense as the guitar cuts down everything in sight. This is sinister, indeed. All of a sudden the band launches out into outer space with wonderfully trippy segment. The odd thing here though are the Ghost-like vocals, especially in the chorus. Works great within the song and is as usual an opposite pole to the music. A touch faster than the other songs, not much but somewhat more, ‘Soldier On’ is very fuzzed out and I love it. Keeping a spaced out echo on the vocals makes the song dreamy and the solo increases this feeling as well. Kind of how I imagine an intergalactic trip through supernovas would be like. Closer ‘A Far Cry’ is an instrumental beauty with mainly an acoustic guitar and a bass guitar playing backed by space sounds, creating suggestive and wonderful landscapes (spacescapes?). A perfect contrast to the darker feel of ‘The Task Eternal’ and an invoker of hope and peace.

Mars Red Sky never disappoint, instead they step it up and push boundaries and genre rules away crafting and creating amazing music process. This is no more evident than on ‘The Task Eternal’. Fantastic stuff from a fantastic band, so I urge you, dear reader, if you have never listened to these giants….do so! Your world of music will never be the same and it will be better!

Words by Håkan Nyman

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR. The Task Eternal will be released on CD/DD/Vinyl via Listenable Records from September 27^th 2019.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp