Doom/Stoner Metallers SON OF BOAR Sign To Pale Wizard. Announce Upcoming New Album And Release New Song EL JEFE

We’ve known these lads for years. Going back to the tour we did in 2022 for Sergeant Thunderhoof’s ‘This Sceptred Veil’ album…. these boys magically kept appearing on the bill! And we quickly developed a deep friendship and respect for them… partly due to the awesome noise that they made, but also due to the fact that they’re absolutely top lads. Hard working, loyal, respectful, appreciative and humble. Anyone who has met Son of Boar will know what we’re talking about.

So when they contacted us a few months back to say they had finished recording a new album, we really wanted to see what we could to help them. Well here it is…. The Hand That Reigns. A dark, brooding, heavy masterpiece of a record. Diving deep into the occult, witchcraft and terrible histories of the west.

We’re very proud to present to you this new album on Digital and CD. 

Check out the first track now and consider pre ordering your copy!

The Lowdown

Formed in 2018, Son Of Boar's powerful, groove-laden, riff-heavy sound has seen them share stages with the likes of Conjurer, Sergeant Thunderhoof, Desert Storm, Nebula, Conan and Fatso Jetson, whilst appearances at Bloodstock, Riffolution, Ruination, Hard Rock Hell Fest, Hammerfest, SOPHIE Fest and Masters Of The Riff have firmly established the band within the UK heavy-music circuit.

Their forthcoming second studio album 'The Hand That Reigns', recorded at Corner House Studios in Yorkshire with Kurt Wood and mastered by Dave Draper (Ginger Wildheart), emerged during a period in which each member was collectively navigating difficult times. As riffs developed into songs, it became clear that those experiences were influencing the writing, and something darker was taking shape. Each track is infused with a personal honesty that moves fluidly from groove-metal to blasted desert rock and the deepest, darkest doom, showcasing the wide range to the band's sound.

Lyrically, the album explores themes of alienation, judgement, personal struggles and reilience, examining the barriers people encounter, the frustration and anger that can emerge from them, and the strength required to move beyond them.

"Lyrically the album covers themes of being an outcast in various forms. Drawing on inspiration from world events, personal experiences, documentaries, and life in a band, the songs talk to the barriers we hit in life, how people judge each other, and the frustration and anger that can come from that, but also about drawing on personal strength and inner belief to get past that and try to live a better life," vocalist Luke Oliver says.

You can find the band online here:

Website: https://sonofboar.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SonOBoar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/son_of_boar
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3MvIo59LEuFXrQ7U6AnuoO?si=pdeJaMjlQmOdqJneZJKtPw
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/son-of-boar/1490688507
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/artists/B082K9NRW1

Thanks to Pale Wizard and Memphia Music PR for the details.

Sergeant Thunderhoof - The Ghost Of Badon Hill (Album Review)

Release Date: November 15th 2024. Record Label: Pale Wizard Records. Format: Cassette/CD/DD/Vinyl

The Ghost of Badon Hill - Track Listing:

1.Badon

2.Blood Moon 

3.The Orb of Octavia 

4.Salvation for the Soul

5.Sentinel

6.Beyond the Hill

Members

Mark Sayer – Guitars

Josh Gallop – Guitars and Backing Vocals

Darren Ashman – Drums

Dan Flitcroft – Vocals

Jim Camp – Bass

Review

Stoner Rock visionaries Sergeant Thunderhoof return with their new album The Ghost Of Badon Hill which arrives two years after their critically acclaimed masterpiece This Sceptred Veil. This was always going to be a tough job topping that incredible release and I still believe it’s their best album to date. However, The Ghost Of Badon Hill is another stirring and emotionally charged classic album from the guys. This time round THE HOOF are diving deep into the local history, mythology and folklore surrounding their hometown in Somerset, exploring the famous Battle of Badon.

The record continues the beautiful and complex melodies of their previous album but give it a more FOLK and HISTORICAL inspired spin which can be quite hard hitting and realistic with the lyrics the band have written for this album.

The opening tracks of Badon and Blood Moon allows Sergeant Thunderhoof to set up the scene with blistering grooves and aggressive Psychedelic sounds with lead vocalist Dan Flitcroft proving why he’s one of the best vocalists and lead frontmen within the UK Stoner Rock/Metal scene right now. His performance is quite emotional and deeply intense when he sings those epic HIGH notes especially on Blood Moon. You can tell the lyrics resonate quite deeply and personally for Dan and even made myself quite emotional at times.

The music is some of the heaviest that Sergeant Thunderhoof have written to date and explores areas of music they haven’t played before.

The Ghost Of Badon Hill is quite a forward thinking and deeply progressive record which explores the human sacrifices made with neverending wars and even with this record being influenced by historical events, this record perfectly resonates with all the horrible battles currently going on in the world. However, as the record continues, Sergeant Thunderhoof brings moments of uplifting positivity in the most unexpected of places throughout the album. 

This is Sergeant Thunderhoof at their most cinematic best and once again proves why they’re the most naturally gifted and highly original storytellers of the whole Stoner Rock/Metal scene which is proven on tracks such as The Orb Of Octavia, Salvation For The Soul and Beyond The Hill.

With a burgeoning Sludge Rock/Metal vibe starting to form on the later stages of the album, Sergeant Thunderhoof always continues to develop and transform their music into something completely different that has come before it. This allows each of the individual tracks to have their own distinctive sound and identity to each other with epic moments of Post Rock, Ambient and Doom Metal being used to great effect.

The Ghost Of Badon Hill is dedicated to the memory of Roger Densham who sadly passed away recently. Roger was from the same home town (Bath, UK) as Sergeant Thunderhoof and was part of the excellent Psych Doom Rock band DOOMICIDAL. I interviewed Roger way back in April 2019 and he was a lovely person to interview.

Sergeant Thunderhoof never ceases to amaze me by releasing one brilliant album after another and that winning streak continues with The Ghost Of Badon Hill which is going to be considered one of the landmark albums to own this year. These guys are on the verge of true greatness and this maybe the album solidifies that reputation once and for all.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Memphia Music PR & Management for the promo

The Ghost Of Badon Hill is available to buy now on CD/Cassette/DD/Vinyl via Pale Wizard Records.

Links

Website: https://sergeantthunderhoof.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeantthunderhoof
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sergeantthunderhoof/

Sergeant Thunderhoof release 'Blood Moon' the first single from folklore inspired concept album 'The Ghost of Badon Hill'

Stoner Rock five-piece Sergeant Thunderhoof return with the release of their fifth studio album ‘The Ghost of Badon Hill’ on November 15th 2024 via Pale Wizard Records, the follow up to 2022’s acclaimed album ‘This Sceptred Veil’.

Hailing from the historical area of Somerset Sergeant Thunderhoof have yet again delved deep into local history, mythology and folklore to deliver their most focussed album to date. ‘The Ghost of Badon Hill’ is a true conceptual piece, set in the 4th Century AD and positively charged with raw emotion and Arthurian mysticism. Recorded with Josh Gallop (who recently became an official member of the band) at Stage 2 Studios in Bath and mastered by Tony Reed (Mos Generator), their new LP sees the band exploring wider and more textured sonic landscapes, whilst conceptually delving into Somerset’s famous Battle of Badon.

Discussing the lyrical themes explored throughout the album vocalist and lyricist Dan Flitcroft says: “This new album feels to me like our most focussed and thoughtful release to date. In the past we’ve not had any limitations when it comes to song lengths and structures as we didn’t have a label calling the shots. But one thing that I knew was needed for this album was to set some boundaries. Foremost of which was the ability to get it onto two sides of vinyl, as opposed to us having to put most of our previous works onto double packages due to the sheer length of the songs. 

“So, knowing that we only had 22 minutes or so per side to play with, it forced us to take the songs we had been jamming and sort the wheat from the chaff. Anything that felt unnecessary or superfluous was scrapped, with every moment on the record needing to justify its own place. I came across the theme for the album by sheer accident when out walking with my family. I had no idea that Bath was a possible location for a real-life battle between the Britons and invading Anglo Saxons, on what was known as Badon Hill. There are a few prominent hills in and around our city that have been suggested as possible locations, famously Peter Gabriel sang about Solsbury Hill many years ago, and that is such a special and romantic place to visit.  

“I got lost down a rabbit hole of facts, speculation, mythology and fantasy. I very quickly focussed on a story of simple people leading simple lives, forced to do amazing things to protect themselves and their kind. Having this narrative ticking away in my brain whilst working on the songs with the band really helped shape the feel and emotional journey that the songs take you on. I couldn’t be prouder of this work and the fantastic contribution that all of  the members of the band brought to the table”.

Ahead of the release of the album comes its leading single ‘Blood Moon’ and its accompanying music video, out today, October 4th 2024. 

The album can be pre-ordered here: 

https://sergeantthunderhoof.bandcamp.com/album/the-ghost-of-badon-hill

TRACK LISTING:

1. Badon

2. Blood Moon

3. The Orb of Octavia

4. Salvation for the Soul

5. Sentinel

6. Beyond The Hill

ONLINE:

Website: https://sergeantthunderhoof.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeantthunderhoof
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sergeantthunderhoof/

SERGEANT THUNDERHOOF ARE:

Daniel Flitcroft - Vocals
Mark Sayer - Guitar
Josh Gallop - Guitar
Jim Camp - Bass
Darren Ashman - Drums

LIVE:

November 22nd - Saltbox, Nottingham
November 23rd - Corporation, Sheffield
January 31st - Planet Desert Rock Weekend, Las Vegas
March 1st - Glastonbury Calling, Glastonbury
March 13th - Hard Rock Hell Festival, Yarmouth

Thanks to Memphia Music PR & Management for all of the details.

Jukebox Monkey - Smiles Becoming Teeth (Album Review)

Release Date: July 21st 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD

Smiles Becoming Teeth: Tracklisting

1.Smiles Becoming Teeth 

2.Swirl

3.People Are Not Disposable

4.Like 1973 

5.Fountainhead

6.The Never 

7.Deathbed Convert

8.Something Meaningless

Members

Christopher Dabner - Vocals / Guitar

Niki Jones - Vocals / Bass

Peter Nightingale - Drums

Review:

Smiles Becoming Teeth is the new album from UK Stoner Metallers Jukebox Monkey that sees the band undergo a Progressive based makeover with the album being vastly different to their 2017 debut album. With Jukebox Monkey taking creative lessons from bands such as Orange Goblin, Mastodon and Alice In Chains. The record also offers a more gritty real life attitude to the album which shines through the bombastic vocals and intense lyrics the band have written for the album. 

Opening song Smiles Becoming Teeth is an uncompromising blend of Stoner Metal, Doom, Alt Metal and Grunge with Jukebox Monkey aligning themselves to a more Progressive Sludge Rock way of thinking. As the music becomes more Psychedelic based that showcases a Mastodon-eqsue flavour appearing within the heavier extended grooves that are superbly played and handled from start to finish.

Second song Swirl is a more dramatic song within the lyrics and vocals used for this track. The grooves are quite flashy, loud and OVER THE TOP but Jukebox Monkey manage to convey similar messages of hope that Sergeant Thunderhoof managed on their widely acclaimed last album. There’s many different styles of Doom/Stoner Metal being played on this track with Jukebox Monkey going all in with their new-found “Progressive” style as the song runs past the eight minutes mark. Maybe, the band is too bold and brash with their music. However, this is a wonderfully played and emotionally charged track with many fine moments of wicked Stoner based grooves throughout the song.

Third song People Are Not Disposable is quite a deceiving track as it opens with another finely played and intense Progressive Stoner groove but Jukebox Monkey veer into Alt Metal territory with the music being more personal to the band. That’s the impression I made as the vocals and lyrics have a more “human” element to them. Though, Jukebox Monkey don’t skimp on the Heavy Extended Jams which builds upto some thrilling progressive sludgy guitar solos towards the later stages of the song.

Fourth song Like 1973 is a more straight up Doom/Stoner Metal track from the band with a passionate Thrashy sound allowing Jukebox Monkey to bring new creative themes into their music. The song could be labelled as a Classic Heavy Metal track with Doom/Stoner elements appearing along the way. The vocals are WILD but suit the nature of the track. This isn’t one of the strongest tracks on the album but definitely one of the most interesting contained on the album. As it shows Jukebox Monkey trying different things with their music and I admire how the song doesn’t follow the standard Doom/Stoner Metal template. 

The second half of the album sees Jukebox Monkey continue with their aggressive and raw sounding music with some biting socially aware lyrics. The music is subdued in places and with Jukebox Monkey playing a more Alternative style of Doom/Stoner Metal on tracks such as Fountainhead and The Never. However, there are more than enough moments of menacing Doom/Stoner Metal to shake your fists or headbang in agreement with.

The final two songs of Deathbed Convert and Something Meaningless are the most soulful and gloomiest parts of the album. The music is constantly aggressive with regular outbursts of Progressive Metal being quite catchy in places. This part of the album is where Jukebox Monkey excels at and impresses the most. 

Smiles Becoming Teeth is an album that offers a different kind of voice and creative vision within the UK Doom/Stoner Metal Scene that may allow the band to gain further recognition within the global underground scene.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Memphia Music PR & Management for the promo.

Smiles Becoming Teeth is available to buy now on CD/DD now.

Links:

Website: https://jukeboxmonkey.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jukeboxmonkey/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jukeboxmonkey/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JukeBox_Monkey
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1pdikO2A9UxORU4RduaNIh
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/jukebox-monkey/930682073
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JukeBoxM0nkey

Various Artists: A Tribute To Budgie - Never Turn Your Back On A Friend: 50 Years Later (Album Review)

Release Date: June 30th 2023. Record Label: Pale Wizard Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Never Turn Your Back On A Friend: 50 Years Later: Tracklisting

1.Alunah - Breadfan 05:29

2.Firegarden - Baby Please Don't Go 05:24

3.Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell - You Know I'll Always Love You 03:42

4.Regulus - You're The Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk 07:25

5.Syncolima - In The Grip Of A Tyrefitter's Hand 06:23

6.Great Electric Quest - Riding My Nightmare 03:38

7.Sergeant Thunderhoof - Parents 10:22

8.La Chinga - Guts - Bonus Track 04:20

9.Low Voltage - Forearm Smash - Bonus Track 05:46

10.Solar Sons - Melt The Ice Away - Bonus Track 03:53

Review:

Never Turn Your Back On A Friend: 50 Years Later is a new tribute album from acclaimed UK Underground Record Label Pale Wizard Records home to Sergeant Thunderhoof. Following previous dedicated album releases to Alice Cooper and David Bowie, now it’s time for Welsh Hard Rock/Metal legends BUDGIE who have influenced and been covered by the likes of Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth and Van Halen to name but a few.

Budgie were one of the heaviest Hard Rock/Metal bands in the 1970’s and 1980’s scene and helped inspire the NWOBHM scene so the band are worthy of a tribute album such as this with their legendary third album Never Turn Your Back On A Friend getting the Pale Wizard Records treatment. 

This is more of a Doom/Stoner Metal tribute to such as an iconic album thanks to the artists involved with bands such as Alunah, Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell, Regulus, Great Electric Wizard and Sergeant Thunderhoof offering their creative talents and providing their own spin on Budgie’s most classic songs with Alunah being giving the famous track to perform with Breadfan that opens the album. Alunah put in a barnstorming performance which pays homage to the original song with the heavy sounds being given a slightly modern makeover whilst paying huge respect to the original song’s legacy. 

Firegarden are up next with perhaps the albums second most famous track Baby Please Don’t Go and it’s Blues Rock based cover which is perhaps play at a more faster pace than the original but the the original’s Hard Rock grooves are there especially when the frantic and action packed grooves that oozes Blues Rock soul appears with the classic Power Rock Trio stance that Budgie were known for. 

Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell brings their usual madcap style of Hard Rock/Stoner/Punk Rock chaos to this track and it works amazingly well with the “in-your-face” style sounds the original version offered. There’s a Garage Rock drive that appears with this track that Budgie would undoubtedly approve of. The production is not perfect but the band’s performance is and allows this to be one of the best performances on the album.

Regulus are up next for You’re The Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk for over seven minutes which is one of my favourite Budgie tracks of all time. Regulus belongs in the 70’s Rock environment with this barnstorming performance. The song has echoes of Regulus' modern Psych Stoner Rock sound with the flashy Progressive guitar tones that soon moves back to Budgie’s groundbreaking style of Guitar based Heavy Rock. Regulus injected a style of 80’s Heavy Metal pomp into this track especially with the extended guitar solos but still paying huge respect to Budgie along the way.

The next two tracks In The Grip Of A Typefitter’s Hand and Riding My Nightmare are performed by Syncolima and Great Electric Quest respectively and they both perform play their own superb versions of these two great tracks  Syncolima play the heaviest of the tracks with perhaps the most modern sounding track on the album. As the band moves between Stoner, Doom and Classic Hard Rock with their interpretation of this great song.

Great Electric Quest play the most laidback track on the album which showed a different and tender side to Budgie. This album is full of mostly Heavy Rock bangers but Riding My Nightmare is more of a Pop/Rock song but with small touches of Heavy Blues Rock grooves. Another one of the standout performances of the track as it even allows Great Electric Quest to show their fans a different style they’re normally associated with.

Sergeant Thunderhoof makes a welcome appearance on the album’s closing track Parents and I couldn’t think of another band who could play this track. The song is everything you would expect from “The Hoof”, Soulful and emotionally charged from start to finish which is mostly down to Dan’s intense vocals. Looking more and more into this song I can see now why Budgie are a big influence within Sergeant Thunderhoof and nothing encompasses that belief is the similarities of the original version compared to the Hoof’s acclaimed last album The Sceptred Veil. 

However, the fun doesn’t end there as Pale Wizard Records offer three more classic BUDGIE tracks with Guts, Forearm Smash and Melt The Ice Away as bonus tracks. La Chinga cover Guts, Low Voltage cover Forearm Smash and Solar Sons cover Melt The Ice Away. 

These tracks follow the original versions quite closely but still allow all bands to impress with their own style and variation of the track. The songs are perhaps bombastic and DOOM based compared to the other performances on the album but La Chinga, Low Voltage Sons all play fabulous covers with a more metallic sound finally starting to emerge.

Never Turn Your Back On A Friend: 50 Years Later is a first rate tribute album and ranks as one of the very best ones I’ve heard in a long while. I’m a huge fan of Budgie and this is a loving tribute to one of the most undeniable creative forces from the UK Hard Rock/Heavy Metal scene whose influence is felt around the global Heavy Metal scene. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Memphia Music PR & Management for the promo.

Never Turn Your Back On A Friend: 50 Years Later is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Pale Wizard Records

Pale Wizard Records Links:

Official | BandCamp

Emotional Times: An Interview With Charlie Dowzell From UK Sludge/Stoner Rockers SAIL

UK Prog Sludge/Stoner Rockers SAIL are releasing their new song Emotion Motional Ocean on June 3rd 2022. I've been a huge fan of this band since I heard their celebrated debut album  Slumbersong back in 2017. 

With their "Pop" influenced take on Doom, Sludge and Stoner Rock. Shades of TORCHE, Mastodon and FLOOR embrace their musical output and their latest song EMO (for short) is quite different.

I caught up with Charlie (Guitar/Vocals) to discuss the evolution of the band, their new song, new sound and future plans.

Thanks to Charlie for this great in-depth interview.

Hi guys. Thanks for doing the interview. How are things with you today?

Thanks for having us back Steve! Things are good. I’m writing this at 10 to 11 on the tube. Visited a close friend in London who’s tying the knot tomorrow so very excited for that.

For folks not in the know, can you give a brief history of how the band came together and where it is today.

The short version is that Tom and I (Charlie), since jamming together as 16-year olds, sought out a guitarist and bassist and wound up meeting Tim at college and Kynan after Uni. The four of us have been together since 2014 and worked hard to produce Sail, the band we now are. And it’s all very exciting.

How would you describe your own sound? 

We get asked this a lot and always love answering these questions! Mainly because we don’t really know, and feel that we all have slightly different answers - and everyone else interprets us differently. We’re nostalgic, feelsy, grungy, loud as hell, love big choruses and giant chunky riffs. We sound like Sail.

You first grabbed my attention with your self titled debut album back in 2017. Were you happy with the response the album received? 

Aww, yeah Slumbersong was such a halcyon time for us. Our first proper album, per se. We’d recorded before but this was our first time in a proper studio and working with industry folks and it felt like the start of something. Looking back I can say it was. Since then we’ve gone from strength to strength , but the work we put in with that album and the very positive response it garnered was so worth doing. I didn’t for a second think Kerrang or Fenriz (amongst others) would pick it up, but life surprises you sometimes. On to the next one! 

Looking back, would you change anything about the album? 

So very much. Don’t get me wrong, at the time we were working well and it was a good result, but we often talk about how far we’ve come as a band, individual musicians and people, and how Slumbersong would have reflected that. I suspect it’s be quite a different album if we did it knowing what we know now. 

You’re releasing your new single Emotional Motion Ocean, What can people expect with this new song. 

It’s a statement of intent, we think. EMO is such a vibrant summer banger with a wicked chorus and some great musicianship. It’s so catchy and feelsy, we love it. Tim sings much more these days which gives me more room to be a guitarist and it’s so much fun. It’s full vibes and I think that comes across with EMO.

You’ve gone for a more slightly off-beat and poppy spirit for this release but still undeniably 

HEAVY and addictive. Is this the new style of music you’re aiming for future releases?

All I’ll say is watch this space for what is to follow! Our next release isn’t going to be a single, and it’s going to follow the EMO (and Flood) blueprints. Very exciting. EMO really captures our spirit as a band and it’s so much fun. We love to play it, we had a blast recording it. Life is to be lived, life is supposed to be fun. I think our future music will reflect this.

Speaking of future releases, will you guys be releasing an EP or a full length album in the future. 

Of course! I’ve already alluded to it, but yeah, our second album is in the works. It’s written and we’ve been for a pre-production day; aiming to record at the end of August. It’s been a long time coming but it’ll be worth the wait.

What was the writing and recording process like for the new song? 

The writing process happened really very quickly - Tim presented the song in an embryonic form during the lockdown periods (online, of course) and when we’re able to meet and has this out we did. It came together very naturally. Recording it was ace! We worked with Josh Gallop of Phoxjaw, who records at Stage 2 Studios in Bath. He’s our go-to guy, really gets our direction and sound. Recording with Josh is so easy and so fun - as it should be. I personally got to do some slide guitar layers, and there’s a take where I shout into the pickups and the guitar picked it up - really odd but very fun.

Did you do anything differently for this new song compared to your previous releases? 

I guess the previous answer touches on the is but we had fun with it! Not to say that the album and other singles weren’t; more that I think we’re embracing going hard in everything we do. Also, as said, I shouted into a guitar and Tim sang into a telephone converted into a microphone. All very odd.

Did you have challenges recording this during the pandemic?

We all encountered similar challenges, I think. Obviously the lockdown(s) prevented us from proactively being anywhere and doing anything, but we kept up our shenanigans digitally- not just with each other but with our fans. I did a livestream where I got mashed on wine and recounted events of the Battle of Stalingrad to a reasonably sized (and very engaged) audience. Recording-wise, the issue was finding the right moment! Luckily the so was oven-cooked and ready to record by the time we were able to mingle more freely; we were quick to schedule a session in with Josh.

The artwork is excellent and reminds myself of TORCHE in places. Who designed the artwork and how much input did you have into the overall design of this.

Thank you! Artwork is super close to our hearts (well, definitely mine). I love a good art piece. As with all our other works, it’s courtesy of Umbrelle, wonderfully talented tattoo artist, creative, and longtime friend based in Bristol. We is usually have a vague brief for Elle and she makes it her own - and I personally wouldn’t want it any other way. Our brief for this ended up being ‘sad crow boy smoking a cigarette in a botanical garden’. And the rest was all Elle, really.

COVID-19  pretty much put a stop to all life as we know it for the time being. How big of an impact did it affect the band? 

As touched on, it stopped any and all shows/live events, but we moved it a digital platform. We’d meet weekly and host a weekly livestream; we also had Mannequin int eh tanks ready to release (fortunately) so we pushed ahead and released it. We reached out to fans, friends and colleagues and loads of people sent clips in of their lockdown going’s-on. We made some new friends in the form of Chicago-based Scientist; our pals in Deity’s Muse from South Africa sent some clips in. And loads of our personal friends. It was genuinely fantastic to see!

Do you have any gigs or future tours planned this year at all. Anything you can share with your fans.

A few gigs here and there - playing Brighton next weekend, Bridgwater in June , Wrexham in October and a few others I’ve definitely forgotten. No massive tours or gigs planned yet - this year’s shaping up to be the calm before the storm, so to speak. I miss yours and I miss going hard, but 2023 will be the one.

Do you have any other musical projects outside of SAIL that folks can check out.

Not really! Kynan has a synth project under the pseudonym KynanDestroyer - he remixed Mannequin and is remixing EMO, too, which will be amazing. I’m pushing Tom and Kynan to get their 2-man grindcore project off the ground! At some point I want to do a blues EP, but we’ll see. Life is very busy.

Before you go, do you have any words of wisdom for your fans (such as myself) out there.

Thanks for reading! Especially f you got this far. Stay safe and be happy. Be excellent to one another, and party on dudes.

Words by Steve Howe and Charlie Dowzell

Thanks to Jade at Memphia Music PR & Management for arranging this interview and Charlie for answering my questions.

Emotion Motional Ocean will be available to buy digitally from June 3rd 2022.

ONLINE:

Website: https://thebandsail.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebandsail/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebandsail
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebandsail/

Sergeant Thunderhoof - The Sceptred Veil (Album Review)

Release Date: June 03rd 2022. Record Label: Pale Wizard Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Sceptred Veil - Tracklisting

You've Stolen The Words

Devil's Daughter

Absolute Blue

Foreigner

Woman Call

King Beyond The Gates

Show Don't Tell

Avalon Part 1

Avalon Part 2

Members

Dan Flitcroft - Vocals

Mark Sayer - Guitars

Darren Ashman - Drums

Jim Camp - Bass

Review

The Sceptred Veil is the new full length album from UK Stoner Metallers Sergeant Thunderhoof who have been building up a more Progressive Rock/Metal presence over their last few releases. This album sees "The Hoof" live upto their true creative potential with an album that blends 70s Prog Rock imagery with modern day Stoner Metal flair and flamboyance that does see the band over-indulge with their heavy proggy grooves on this album. That's no complaint all with Sergeant Thunderhoof playing some mighty fine heavy grooves and lyrics that could even make Boss Keloid envy with jealousy in places.

The album is quite adapt at switching musical sounds which you can here from the stunning opening track "You've Stolen The Words". A song that has classic "The Hoof" feel but with a world-weary and true-to-life attitude. The song has many different waves of Psych Stoner Rock/Metal with a haunting gloomy ambient score towards the end of the song. However, it's when the band switch to a more "Post-Doom" based sound where you can feel and hear the true difference from the band even moving into YOB-esque sonic style passages.

Second song Devil's Daughter is a more direct song with band diving right into the action with Classic Hard Rock melodies and soaring vocals from Dan. The guitars from Mark are quite precise with a psychedelic riff being played for extended periods of time. The song has a simple structure but one that boasts a mighty Progressive flow which moves into heavier areas of Psych Stoner Rock. Parts 90's Alt Rock and Classic Hard Rock energy for a song that still remains thoroughly modern. Add cool sounding distorted Psychedelic guitars and another virtuoso vocal performance near the end of the song and Sergeant Thunderhoof play one of the standout tracks on the album.

Sergeant Thunderhoof do go all out on this album with the album running past the sixty six minutes mark and they add a more "theatrical" atmosphere to the album which comes into focus on the excellent third song Absolute Blue. A song that once again combines pitch perfect melodies, vocals and the socially aware lyrics that sees the songwriting come on leaps and bounds since their 2014 celebrated debut release.

The band take a diverse range of musical influences and sounds on this release with shades of 70's UK Prog Rock and 80's Classic Hard Rock/Heavy Metal without you fully realizing this. The band do venture into what I personally call the "Post-Whatever" element of the Doom/Stoner Rock underground on the majority of the album. Absolute Blue, Foreigner, Woman Call and the amazing two-part powerhouse tracks Avalon Part 1 and Avalon Part 2.

Though, "The Hoof" do have some fun with the catchy and groove-laiden track "Show Don't Tell". A song that is unashamedly classic hard rock and heavy metal with a touch of seedy glamour whilst retaining The Hoof's definitive sound. 

The final two songs (Avalon Part 1 and Avalon Part 2) are the best parts of the album and perhaps the finest songs that "The Hoof" have written to date. With the songs moving between elements of Classic Hard Rock, Stoner Metal and Psych Rock and Prog Metal, that can be quite emotionally draining in places but one that offers parts of almost uplifting "Post-Rock" or "Post-Stoner" grooves that will last long in the memory.

The Sceptred Veil is a CLASSIC album in every sense of the word which is helped along by first rate production values. This album sees Sergeant Thunderhoof the top of their game and perhaps even go further into the mainstream. 

On this form, Sergeant Thunderhoof may have just released my favourite ALBUM OF THE YEAR so far. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Jade at Memphia Music PR & Management for the promo.

The Sceptred Veil will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Pale Wizard Records from June 03rd 2022.

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