Wyoming Young And Strong Premiere New Album Black Wire

Wyoming Young And Strong is a Josh duo in Seattle, Washington, laying down some sludgy tracks. While not from Wyoming, they write music that speaks to the frustration of being young, strong, and inspired in rural America.

With dual vocals highlighting the heavy guitar and drums, WY&S released the four-song 'Death and Ruin' EP in 2018. They have since been playing shows gathering support around the Pacific Northwest through their energetic live performances. Their debut full-length 'Black Wire' is due out later this month.

The 'Black Wire' album is an independent effort set for release by the band on Friday, November 27, 2021. With the album design layout by Brian Kim and art photos by Juha Penttinen, 'Black Wire' was recorded by Wyoming Young and Strong at Sodo Magnetic in Seattle, Washington, in the Spring of 2021. Mastering was completed by Black Belt Mastering.

Black Wire tracklist:

01. Redland Wanderer
02. Race into the Sun
03. Treetops 1
04. Abandoned By the Elders
05. One Last Sleep
06. Treetops 2
07. Black Wire
08. Hellish Allies
09. Treetops 3
10. Age of Iron

 

Pre-order 'Black Wire' now at:

wyomingyoungandstrong.bandcamp.com

WYOMING YOUNG and STRONG is:

Josh Williams - Drums, Some Vocals
Josh Engelhardt - Guitars, Most Vocals

WY&S Online:

https://wyomingyoungandstrong.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6iQwjFGwGfFscB2c2tYVSU
https://www.facebook.com/seattlemetal
https://www.instagram.com/wyomingyoungandstrong/

Upcoming Live Shows:

Nov. 5th - Seattle, WA @ Southgate Roller Rink

You can hear the fantastically heavy BLACK WIRE in full below ahead of it's official release on Saturday 27th November 2021.

Thanks to Leanne at Mettle Media for the Promo and Press Material

Kvasir - 4 (Album Review)

Release Date: June 28th 2021. Record Label: Glory Or Death Records. Format: DD/Vinyl

4 - Tracklisting

1.Where Gods Go To Pray 06:57

2.Authenticity & The Illusion of Enough 07:06

3.Slow Death of Life 04:18

4.Earthly Algorithms 04:25

5.Chill For a Church 05:54

6.The Brink 05:11

7.The Black Mailbox 04:00

8.Alchemy of Identity 06:46

Members

Jay Erbe - drums

Gabe Langston - guitar

Christopher Lee - guitar, vocals

Greg Traw - Bass

Review

4 is the debut full length album from Portland, Oregon based Doom/Stoner Rockers - Kvasir. I became a fan of this band when I premiered their single The Black Mailbox from this very album and when I interviewed them recently as well. I checked out their previous releases and I was taken back by the sheer scale and ground they cover within the Doom/Stoner Rock sounds they use to create their own winning blend of addictive based music.

4 showcases what Kvasir does brilliantly well by effortlessly moving from Doom Metal, Stoner Metal, Psych Rock, Occult Rock, Classic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal without breaking a sweat. The album combines all the classic landmark elements of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal from the last 45 years or so and still sounding fresh on it’s terms.

Kvasir feel they play and write music for the underground Doom/Stoner Metal scene with a swagger I haven’t heard since the early days of The Sword. Add other great influences such as Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath with the lyrics most definitely rooted in 70s Hard Rock/Heavy Metal and beyond.

The album contains 8 tracks running near to 45 minutes in length with Kvasir bringing a different musical identity to each of the songs. So not all of the songs sound remotely the same. They may have a familiar Psych Doom/Stoner Metal vibe but Kvasir allows themselves to try different things with each song on the record.

The songs I enjoyed and appreciated the most on 4 were: Where Gods Go To Pray, Authenticity & The Illusion of Enough, Chill For A Church, The Black Mailbox and Alchemy Of Identity with Kvasir perhaps bringing their best ideas and grooves for these songs. They had the heaviest moments where I truly appreciated their full creative vision.

The instrumental work is stunning throughout and the Psychedelic and Occult Rock parts of the album is where everything comes together for a more powerful audio experience you wouldn’t initially expect. The vocals from Christopher, is top-drawer and he brings a magnetic presence with his performance and brings a world-weary charm to the album whilst still allowing other members of Kvasir show off their own impeccable talent to whoever is listening.

Yeah, I kind of enjoyed this record if you’re looking for a special “Retro/Throwback” album whilst keeping inline with modern ideas and sounds, well Kvasir have delivered a spellbinding debut release to make themselves known.

 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Leanne at Mettle Media PR for the promo. 4 is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Glory Or Death Records.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

An Interview With Christopher, Gabe and Greg from KVASIR

KVASIR are a band who have been on my radar for the last few weeks ever since they announced details of their upcoming album 4 and when I premiered their new song The Black Mailbox.

I wanted to find out more about the band before I hear their upcoming new album which I'll be reviewing near the release date of 28th June 2021 or just soon after. 

Here's an interview that I did with Christopher (Guitar/Vox), Gabe (Guitar) and Greg (Bass) from KVASIR.

Hi KVASIR. Thanks for doing this interview. How are things with you today. For people not in the know. Can you give a brief history of how the band came together and where it is today?.

Christopher (Guitar, Vocals): Hi! Thank you, we are well! Greg (Bass), Gabe (Guitar), and I are all friends from growing up together in Wyoming. When Greg and I reconnected in Portland in 2017, we started Kvasir as a three-piece. We added Gabe and Jay (Drums) in 2019 to complete the current lineup.

How would you describe your sound in your own words. As you seem to delve into different areas of Heavy Metal and Doom Rock. 

Christopher: I think it’s fair and even desirable from our perspective to have some difficulty in assigning us to a genre. Part of what makes this band so much fun to be in is that its members all approach the role of being a musician in a different and very uniquely personal way. That culminates in what you hear, which is sometimes straight out heavy metal, NWOBHM, with jazz and funk influences combined with deliberate artistic and classical nuances, sometimes not so subtle.

Why did you choose the name KVASIR for your band and what does it mean to you all.

Christopher: Kvasir was from the Norse pantheon, a mythical figure who represented the Explorer and the Sage. He was divinity who dwelt on Earth in order to soak up knowledge and experiences, and to share them with others, which resonates with me.

Thank you for allowing me to premiere your excellent new song The Black Mailbox. Much appreciated. Though, we’re here to talk about your upcoming new album – 4. What can people expect from this album and what’s the concept or story of the album?

Gabe: When you go from 3 dimensions of space to 4 in physics a cube turns into a tesseract. It’s hard to imagine a tesseract if you’ve only experienced 3 dimensions of space. We approached that concept with the Solve Et Coagula maxim of Alchemy which means to dissolve and reform. Adding another instrument opened up arrangement possibilities. We had all the right musicians in a unified coagula and the goal was loosely to make a full length of eight songs at about 44 mins, but we didn’t know exactly what that may entail.

Was this a hard album to write and record for. Especially during COVID-19 still being around us all.

Gabe: Covid did present a practical challenge postponing the original recording date of 04/04/2020. There were also some supply chain problems later as far as pressing goes. Someone grounds a ship in the Suez and all kinds of things get fucked up. Luckily the album just wrote itself.

What influenced or inspired you when making this album.

Christopher: The lyrical content all comes from my life experiences. Greg had the cover art done before the album had been written, so the context for those experiences on the album was then inspired by the themes of his art.

Gabe: I strive to be an open vessel through which the oracle speaks.

What formats the album is being released upon.

Christopher: Vinyl and digital.

Glory Or Death Records are releasing the album. How did you hook-up with that label and did you have any other offers to release the album on?

Christopher: We did have an original offer from another label before the pandemic started, but the ensuing chaos led to other decisions for both parties (very amicably). Our album was given to Buddy Donner who runs Glory or Death by a mutual friend, and Buddy was immediately stoked on the project, which really pleased us!

Who designed the fantastic artwork for II. And how much input did you have into the final design of it all.

Greg: Thank you for digging the art. I’m also a visual artist and create most of the art for the band. Luckily, everyone trusts me enough, so I get total freedom to do whatever. It’s a nice luxury, but then again, it’s probably saved us a lot of money and hassles too… One conscious element I’ve intentionally incorporated into all of the band’s art is a loose connecting narrative. From our first EP to the new album, it all tells one epic esoteric story. Usually my art is very busy, so creating the art for Kvasir has been a great exercise in restraint and using blacks.

COVID-19 has pretty much put a stop to all life as we know it for the time being. How big of an impact has it affected the band. And how are you surviving in this stressful time.

Christopher: Other than it being incredibly frustrating to be patient and not play shows, I think we were able to use the time to really refine not only what we were doing musically, but also our relationships to the band and to each other.

After everything is back to some sort of normality. What does the future hold for the band. Will you be touring the record if possible?

Christopher: Yes, there will be tours for sure. We already have shows lined up in Washington in July with our friends from Tigers on Opium and Grim Earth, and we’re looking forward to bringing the album to the entire West Coast in person very soon!

Will you be anxious, scared or excited when performing on the live stage again.

Gabe: There was some anxiety before our very first shows after long periods of inactivity due to the pandemic. You get back on the horse and you’re not sure if it will buck you off, but hell or high-water you know you’re going for a ride.

Thanks for doing this interview. Before you go, do you have any words of wisdom that you want to say to your fans.

Greg: Love, value and respect creative people. Discover a new way to express yourself, it can be anything from painting to plumbing, and then get obsessed with the process. It’s the passion that matters.

Words by Steve Howe and KVASIR

Thanks to Leanne at Mettle Media PR for arranging this interview and for the promo materials. Thanks to KVASIR for doing this interview.

KVASIR Online:

https://kvasirpdx.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KvasirPDX/
https://www.instagram.com/kvasirpdx/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2H3THmhXn56ZyrAVw65W2h
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpiQoi9FHOZiokHo4XaK7Q

KVASIR Premiere New Song And Reveal New Artwork For THE BLACK MAILBOX

Doom/Heavy Metallers KVASIR announced details of their upcoming new album '4' last month which will be released via Glory Or Death Records at the end of June 2021.

To get you into the mood of the new album we are lucky enough to be premiering the new song The Black Mailbox from the upcoming new album which you can hear below:

KVASIR have also been kind enough to show the new artwork that accompanies the single at the top of thsi article. Keeps with similar themes of the upcoming new album artwork as well.

KVASIR is:

Jay Erbe - Drums
Gabriel Langston - Guitar
Christopher Lee - Guitar, Vocals
Greg Traw - Bass

KVASIR Online:

https://kvasirpdx.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KvasirPDX/
https://www.instagram.com/kvasirpdx/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2H3THmhXn56ZyrAVw65W2h
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpiQoi9FHOZiokHo4XaK7Q

Thanks to Leanne at Mettle Media PR for all of the info.

KVASIR Announces Debut Full-length '4' via Glory Or Death Records

Kvasir, the being of Norse mythology, was born from the saliva of the god clans Aesir (war) and Vanir (fertility) after they collectively spit berries into a mash. Kvasir traveled far and wide teaching and spreading his knowledge until the dwarfs Fjalar and Galar killed him and drained his blood. Their mixing his blood with honey resulted in the Mead of Poetry, said to imbue the drinker with poetic prowess and wisdom, the spread of which eventually introduces poetry to mankind.

Kvasir, the band, hails from North Portland, Oregon, and is the sum of Christopher Lee (vocals, guitar), Greg Traw (guitar), Jay Erbe (drums), and Gabriel Langston (bass). Originating as a trio formed by Lee and Traw some years prior, they released a debut EP, ‘Space’, in April 2018, with a second EP ‘The Hanged Man & The Emperor’ out only a few months later in September.

 
Kvasir coalesced into a four-piece with Langston and Erbe during 2019 and began to steadily grow a reverential following in their local Portland scene. Kvasir then branched out on pre-pandemic regional tours around the Pacific Northwest. They remained productive during 2020 with the release of a single, 'I And Thou' in June. The band also completed recording their upcoming debut full-length.

The new album, entitled '4', is set for release through Glory Or Death Records at the end of June 2021.

'4' Tracklist:

01. Where Gods Go To Pray
02. Authenticity
03. Slow Death Of Life
04. Earthly Algorithms
05. Chill For A Church
06. The Brink
07. The Black Mailbox
08. Alchemy of Identity

Blending a melodic palate with technical appetites, Kvasir’s distinctive brand of Sabbath worship is tinged in traditional metal with elements of funk, jazz, and art composition. Incorporating progressive elements into a classic foundation lets the songcraft both tell a story and fully rip. At its heart, Kvasir is a heavy rock band. Sounds simple, right? But somehow, just like mixing blood with honey, the result is more than the sum of its parts.

The debut Kvasir full-length ‘4’ is due out on Monday, June 28th, 2021, on Glory Or Death Records. Stay tuned for more...

KVASIR is:

Jay Erbe - Drums
Gabriel Langston - Guitar
Christopher Lee - Guitar, Vocals
Greg Traw - Bass

KVASIR Online:

https://kvasirpdx.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KvasirPDX/
https://www.instagram.com/kvasirpdx/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2H3THmhXn56ZyrAVw65W2h
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpiQoi9FHOZiokHo4XaK7Q

Thanks to Leanne at Mettle Media PR for all of the info.

Clouds Taste Satanic - The Satanic Singles Series – Volume 2 (Single Review)

Release date: December 04th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: DD/Vinyl 

The Satanic Singles Series – Volume 2 – Tracklisting

1.Behind The Wall Of Sleep 03:20
2.If You Doom Me Now 04:53

Review

Clouds Taste Satanic (CTS) are back with Volume 2 of their The Satanic Singles Series and this time CTS have the Godfathers Of Doom and Heavy Metal in their sights with the first cover of the EP. As Black Sabbath now get the Instrumental Doom Metal treatment and with 2020 being a special year for that legendary band. CTS have chosen one of the lesser known tracks from Black Sabbath classic debut album with Beyond The Wall Of Sheep being played as strictly a Doom Metal song.

This version matches the gloominess and heaviness of the original but with a “less is more” approach which does the song justice and CTS are clearly having fun paying homage to their musical heroes.

I originally thought the next song was a new composition – If You Doom Me Now. As I tried looking for the original version of YouTube without much luck and I thought it’s a new song. Well that assumption was blown out of the water when I listened to the song. It’s a heavy doomed out Instrumental cover of that dearly loved and classic Heavy Metal Band – CHICAGO – and their most famous song – If You Leave Me Now.

Well played CTS. Well fucking played. Great joke. Top marks for that one. The cover itself is wickedly brilliant and “PISSES ALL OVER” the original. I was never a fan of CHICAGO or this damn overrated song but CTS version I could listen all day. This is a joyous blend of Classic Rock, Doom Metal, Psych Rock and Hard Rock.

I’m also beginning to think the common theme of this EP is also because of a certain Adam Sandler film where both artists were featured quite prominently within LITTLE NICKY. Though, that could be myself just looking far too much into things.

Anyway, here’s another slice of excellent covers given the Instrumental Doom Metal makeover and I don’t think CHICAGO could never ROCK HARD as this. Horns In The Air!!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Leanne at  Mettle Media PR for the promo details.

Links: 

Facebook | BandCamp

Clouds Taste Satanic - The Satanic Singles Series (EP Review)

Release date: November 6th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: DD/Vinyl

The Satanic Singles Series – Tracklisting

1.Funeral For A Friend 06:00
2.Also Sprach Zarathustra 02:07

Review

Famed Instrumental Doom Rockers – Clouds Taste Satanic – are doing something different for their next releases. The band explain it better themselves with the following statement:

Clouds Taste Satanic presents “The Satanic Singles Series” - 4 Singles in 4 Months…8 Covers in need of CTS Heavy.

The first batch of songs that get the CTS treatment is the Elton John classic – Funeral For A Friend – and an tone poem called Also Sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss which was made more famous by the classic Science fiction film – 2001.

Both tracks are instrumental so you don’t have to worry about the band adding vocals to the mix. CTS still remain everyone’s favourite Instrumental Post-Doom/Stoner Metal band but bring their own unique spin on two very different songs.

Funeral For A Friend shouldn’t really work as a Metal Cover but CTS pull off the unthinkable and have made a stunning rendition of a classic song and almost making it their own. The song is gloomy and majestic as hell with heavy doomed out riffs that are played at a cool slow pace. The song is quite emotional and it has to be. A stunning cover that demands your undivided attention.

Also Sprach Zarathustra sees CTS focus on perhaps the most famous part of the song and that’s the opening two minutes “Einleitung, oder Sonnenaufgang" (Introduction, or Sunrise) which sees CTS play a Post-Rock approach to the song and when the heavy bombastic music appears then CTS go into Doom Metal overdrive. It’s a shame the band only focused on the opening 2 minutes of the song. As I wanted to hear more but this is still a fantastic and quite different cover compared to the famous original.

With this being the 1st record of 4 being released in the next coming months then I say CTS are off to a great start and I cannot wait to see what they will cover next. I’m wondering if they will be doing a song with vocals to just surprise us all. We’ll wait and see.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Leanne at Mettle Media and Clouds Taste Satanic for the promo.

The Satanic Singles Series is available to buy Digitally and Vinyl now.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Merlock - that which speaks... (EP Review)

Release date: July 10th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: Cassette/DD

that which speaks... – Tracklisting

1.idolon

2.prolapse

3.[vessel]

4.condemnation

Members

Lead Guitar & Vocals: Taylor D. Waring

Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Riley D. Moore

Bass: Andrew Backes

Drums: Lucas Wild Barrey

Review

that which speaks… is the debut EP from Psychedelic Sludge/Doom/Stoner Riffsters – Merlock – and this is my first excursion to their trippy and very surreal take on all things Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal. Merlock show a wealth of different creative ideas and sounds on this album that took me quite a few listens to fully admire and appreciate. The album switches from harsh Post-Doom environments to more straight-forward Sludge/Stoner Metal surroundings that make you wonder that certain parts of the album were made by multiple different bands.

The EP is very LOUD and Merlock thrive on that fact whilst adding a trippy Spaced Out or Sludge-Gaze sound that even has traces of classic and true sounding Heavy Metal that helps make the rough sounding parts of the record even more thrilling and authentic.

The EP has 4 tracks with Merlock showing they aren’t afraid to experiment with their music and offering a “Death/Doom” style of vocals on certain parts of the album. Though, there are some truly inspired theatrical and OTT vocals to give “that which speaks...” that something little bit different to offer.

The record can be downright bleak and nasty in places but it’s the huge sounding Psychedelic and Progressive moments where Merlock impressed myself the most. As you begin to explore and understand their music more with some epic riffs being played along the way. The EP is quite raw in places and has a more organic feel compared to other records that I’ve listened to recently.

All of the songs ran between 7 minutes and 8 minutes in length and Merlock have a lot of time to play with to refine and perfect their highly experimental style of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal, The second half of the EP is perhaps the strongest part of the record with the final two songs of [vessel] and condemnation having the better sounds and ideas on the record. Though, as one epic release, Merlock have released a thrilling and adventurous EP that harks back to the early days of Mastodon with their style of Progressive Sludge based guitars and ideas written for this release.

If this is classed as an EP then I’m truly excited to hear what Merlock can do with a full length album. As no doubt everything will be bigger, bolder and even crazier to what is to be found on “that which speaks...” - Until then, this EP from Merlock is the type of record that the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal community needs right now.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Leanne at Mettle Media PR for the promo. "that which speaks..." will be available to buy on Cassette/DD from July 10th 2020

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Sorcia - S/T (Album Review)

Release date: March 13th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Sorcia – S/T – Tracklisting

1.In The Head 05:09

2.Nowhere But Up 05:48

3.Coffin Nails 05:59

4.Sunburn 05:44

5.Stars Collide 09:01

6.Stoned Believer 07:01

7.Repression 07:00

Members

Neal De Atley: Guitar/Vocals

Jessica Brasch: Bass/Vocals

Bryson Marcey: Drums

Review

Sorcia self-titled debut album acts and sounds more like a statement of intent from the band. As this is one of the most self assured and highly confident debut albums I’ve had the pleasure to listen to for a very long time. The band are from Seattle and I was kinda expecting a “Grunge” based album but that’s furthest from the truth with Sorcia playing a dirty and heavy blend of Sludge Rock/Metal that branches out into other areas of Doom/Stoner Metal but still sounding quite original in places.

The album consists of 7 songs and each one allows Sorcia to expand their musical horizon with each passing moment. As the music becomes heavier, richer and even filthier in places.

Opening song – In The Head – is a good indicator on which direction the album ultimately goes upon but still allowing the band to try different things as well. The down-tuned heavy guitars is quite intense in places with an aggressive Sludge Rock/Metal groove dictating the action and Neal’s vocals having a slight “NOLA” feel to them. The music is played at a mid to slow pace which adds a more atmospheric edge to their overall sound.

Second song – Nowhere But Up – may have a slightly upbeat title but the music is anything but. As Sorcia continue their down-tuned and depressing journey into the Doom Metal darkness that has a distorted Blues Rock vibe holding everything together. The music speeds up slightly but the band impress the most when the music is played at a more slower pace. As you can soak everything in at your own leisure. The heavy pounding bass riffs from Jessica and intense drumming from Bryson allow them to have their own time in the spotlight and dazzle with the excellent musical skills.

Sorcia continue their bleak and down-tuned approach on the rest of the album with more epic sounding Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal sounds moving further into the darkness.

Other cool songs to check out are: Coffin Nails, Sunburn, Stars Collide and Repression. As these are the songs where finally Sorcia impress the most with some of the heaviest grooves on the entire album especially the 9 minute epic of Stars Collide. Which is perhaps my favourite song on the album.

You have got to give Sorcia credit for getting Grunge Legends – Tad Doyle and Jack Endino – to work on this album and it shows. The whole album sounds excellent from start to finish and there isn’t a Grunge riff or influence in sight.

Overall, Sorcia debut album is one that demands respect from whoever listens to this album. Do yourself a favour and get yourself acquainted with this great band. You won’t be sorry….

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Sorcia and Leanne at Mettle Media PR for the promo. The album is available to buy now.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp