Shovelhead - A Place Of Dead Roads (Album Review)

Release Date: September 12th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Rising. Format: CD/DD

A Place Of Dead Roads - Tracklist

01. Witching Hour

02. Tempest

03. Dominion/Big Tex

04. Ghost in the Garden

05. Middle Man

06. White Stag Ghost

07. Bombers

Members

Jim LaPointe - Vocals, Guitar

Mike Scott - Drums

George Pierro - Bass

Review

Shovelhead may not be a name you’re familiar with but to a small and loyal dedicated following within the Stoner Rock/Metal underground community, these guys are almost legendary  especially around their hometown of New Jersey. This area is home to the likes of Stoner Rock/Metal legends Monster Magnet. SOLACE and The Atomic Bitchwax. Whilst Shovelhead didn’t reach the same towering heights of those legendary bands, their impact is just as meaningful.

The guys have returned with their first album “A Place Of Dead Roads” in nineteen years. The band helped form the style of Rock & Roll driven based Stoner Metal that’s so popular today and I’m pleased to say that almost two decades on that Shovelhead’s latest album makes them feel as important and vital as ever.

The record is powered by a classic style of “TURBO CHARGED” grooves with some great Garage Rock melodies with a burgeoning seedy Psychedelic attitude. Shovelhead don’t apply modern studio and recording techniques into their music. This is good old fashioned Stoner Rock/Metal music how it’s meant to sound and and superbly played. The end result is raw, uncompromising, gritty and highly unpredictable that allows Shovelhead to play with a fearless attitude which is applied throughout the whole album.

There are some moments of Grunge and Progressive momentums contained within the lengthier tracks of the album (Tempest, Dominion/Big Tex, Middle Man and White Stag Ghost) but there’s a multitude of different styles of Heavy Rock that’s being applied by Shovelhead that makes you just appreciate the fact how these guys are still around after thirty years making great music.

There’s a WILD MAN OF ROCK swagger that’s applied by Shovelhead to the fastest and heaviest parts of the record. There’s an out of control “JAM BASED” quality that you can hear within the fuzziest and sleaziest sounds of the album. The vocals by Jim LaPointe appear only when they’re fully needed which gives real weight to the whole record.

Only Jim LaPointe and Mike Scott remain from the original lineup with George Pierro replacing original bassist Sha Zaidi. George Pierro brings his own heavy bass sound to the part which is quite different to Sha Zaidi’s but still fully fantastic and fully becoming part of the Shovelhead creative framework.

A Place Of Dead Roads is quite a loose record and opts for a riff-centric / jam based delivery which has always been a staple of Shovelhead ever since their formative years. However, everything works as it should with the band delivering an intense musical performance that upcoming Stoner Rock bands should study and appreciate having great bands such as Shovelhead on how to create, write and perform a classic sounding Stoner Rock track.

As I stated previously, the production values are very raw and highly unapologetic but it’s one of the main strengths that allows A Place Of Dead Roads to fully stand out from the crowd. Shovelhead have released a first rate “COMEBACK” record that I’m hoping gives the band further appreciation from the whole Stoner Rock/Metal community. As this is as good as it gets.

If you miss the early days of MONSTER MAGNET when they had intense New Jersey destructive sound running through their veins that they may have lost over the years then you really need to check out SHOVELHEAD right now. As these guys are seriously becoming better musicians and more an essential band in their later years.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mettle Media PR for the details.

Links

https://shovelheadnj.bandcamp.com/
https://linktr.ee/ShovelheadNJ
https://www.youtube.com/@theoriginalShovelhead
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2pIndavttdvGqKlHdVQp3L
https://intothevoidmerchco.com/collections/shovelhead
https://www.facebook.com/people/Shovelhead/100061003818946/
https://www.instagram.com/shovelheadnj

New Jersey's SHOVELHEAD Return After 19 Years to Unveil Video Single "Witching Hour" Off Upcoming Album!

New Jersey's obscure Stoner Rock titans SHOVELHEAD return after 19 years, hauling in a heavyweight truckload of polished tracks on new album ‘A Place of Dead Roads’. Kicking up the dust on new jams starts right with the first track and video single of "Witching Hour."

Since forming in the early 90s, SHOVELHEAD (originally The Lemmings) has been at the vanguard of the groundbreaking New Jersey scene that produced underground heavy rock goliaths such as Monster Magnet, The Atomic Bitchwax, Solace, Halfway To Gone, Core, and Solarized.

Alongside other pioneering bands that helped lay the foundation for the coveted genre we know as Stoner Rock, SHOVELHEAD began crafting their sound before the genre had fully formed, resulting in a distinctive style of Stoner Rock N’ Roll that has served the scene for over three decades. During their initial run, three regionally notorious SHOVELHEAD albums (and one Lemmings album) were released, and at this point the titanic number of shows played is uncountable.

SHOVELHEAD decelerated in the late 2010s, along with the majority of planet Earth, but is back to full open throttle in 2026. Founding members Mike Scott and Jim LaPointe (also a contributor to Black NASA’s ‘Deuce’ album and live performer with the band) fused with George Pierro (Solarized, Maegashira, Tarpit Boogie) to resume playing shows, writing fresh tunes, and recording a new album.

'A Place of Dead Roads' is due out through independent release on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The heavy power trio self-produced the new full-length, with recording, mixing, and mastering all handled by George Pierro. Our introduction to the album is by way of its opening track, "Witching Hour," available for streaming on Bandcamp, and don't miss out on the official video below!

A Place of Dead Roads - Tracklist:

01. Witching Hour
02. Tempest
03. Dominion/Big Tex
04. Ghost in the Garden
05. Middle Man
06. White Stag Ghost
07. Bombers

To celebrate the release of 'A Place of Dead Roads', the band has a Record Release show with SHUT UP and BLACK HORSE PIKE in Jackson, New Jersey.

Everyone can pre-order 'A Place of Dead Roads' from SHOVELHEAD on their Bandcamp page right now:

https://shovelheadnj.bandcamp.com/

Witching Hour (Official Video) by SHOVELHEAD

Video Production & Editing by George Pierro.

T.R.O.G. - The Race of Gentleman footage was shot and provided by: / @bigblockautomobilia3895

“Best rock band in Jersey......a well-kept secret of that scene.” - The Obelisk

“Those in-the-know, KNOW that SHOVELHEAD is one of Jersey’s best kept heavy rock secrets. Those that don’t know, SHOULD KNOW!” - Tommy Southard, Solace

SHOVELHEAD is:

Jim LaPointe - Vocals, Guitar
Mike Scott - Drums
George Pierro - Bass

SEE SHOVELHEAD LIVE:

Sept. 12 Jackson, NJ - Shovelhead Record Release Show w/ Shut Up & Black Horse Pike
Sept. 25 - Vineland, NJ - w/ Meatplow & Dreadstrar
Oct. 04 - Manahawkin, NJ - w/ Dying Light

Links

https://shovelheadnj.bandcamp.com/
https://linktr.ee/ShovelheadNJ
https://www.youtube.com/@theoriginalShovelhead
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2pIndavttdvGqKlHdVQp3L
https://intothevoidmerchco.com/collections/shovelhead
https://www.facebook.com/people/Shovelhead/100061003818946/
https://www.instagram.com/shovelheadnj

Thanks to Mettle Media PR for the details.

VAPE WARLÖK - ...And His Skull Shall Make My Bong (Album Review)

Release Date: April 20th 2025. Record Label: Pillars Of Creation. Formats: DD/Vinyl

...And His Skull Shall Make My Bong - Tracklisting

01. Satan's Succubus

02. ...And His Skull Shall Make My Bong

03. Meth Slave

04. Satanalingus: The Devil's Tongue

05. Bongmaster General

Members:

THE COUNT (Collyn McCoy) - Guitar, Vox, Synths

THE BARON (Phillip Rodriguez) - Drums, Samples

THE DUCHESS (Mariana Fiel) - Bass, Vox

Review

...And His Skull Shall Make My Bong is the debut full length album from Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers Vape Warlök and it’s a record that feels it was created in the  BOWELS OF HELL or perhaps made by the deadliest strain of WEED imaginable. The record is inspired by the likes of Electric Wizard, Sleep, BONGZILLA and Sons Of Otis. 

The band is made up of members from acts such as UNIDA, Circle Of Sighs and High Priestess with their take on some epic ELECTRIC WIZARD inspired SATANIC FUZZED UP grooves which has an ugly atmosphere emitting from the speakers. The vocals from The Count and The Duchess are bleak and constantly full of death based GROWLS but they’re quite easy to understand which is a good thing so you can get a sense of the bleak story contained within the whole album.

The Baron adds some wickedly OCCULT based samples which thrusts this record into the upper levels of DOOM METAL which can be quite trippy, surreal and wonderfully psychedelic with the trappings of a downright intense trip into the sinister side of WEEDIAN metal. The songs are quite progressive with them running from seven minutes to eleven minutes in length. Vape Warlök demonstrate a wide range of different musical styles with some classic melodies appearing which combine superbly well with the harsh Sludge/Stoner Metal surroundings especially on tracks such as: Satan’s Succubus, ...And His Skull Shall Make My Bong and Bongmaster General.

The record may have some humorous song titles but that’s where the humour ends and the pitch black melodic violence reigns supreme with Vape Warlök perfectly demonstrating a noisy and sometimes surreal style of music which generates into some pleasing moments of Classic Psychedelic Rock. The downtuned and distorted instrumental passages have echoes of Church Of Misery with the soundbytes that are superbly woven into the DNA and creative fabric of the album. The music is full of slow-down and stripped back melodies with Vape Warlök playing an aggressive and faster style of music when the mood calls for this. 

...And His Skull Shall Make My Bong does have a slightly DIY based approach with the production values but this adds a level of supreme urgency to the album and gives it a stunning “LESS IS MORE” energy that allows the music to have a sheer level of intensity which can be quite deafening at times especially on tracks such as Satanalingus: The Devil's Tongue and Bongmaster General. 

Vape Warlök is a band who know how to have a DEMONIC good time with the band even adding strands of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal into the mix through some wonderfully pitched moments of classic guitar shredding on different parts of the record. 

...And His Skull Shall Make My Bong is being released on the ultimate WEEDIAN holiday on 4/20 and this is the best possible way to celebrate. As this record is “Brutal and brilliantly filthy and can only be described as Bongzilla meets THOU”. So if you like your STONER records on the heavier and sinister side of life then Vape Warlök have all bases covered for an album that will easily be considered one of the best albums of the year.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mettle Media PR and Pillars Of Creation for the promo.

...And His Skull Shall Make My Bong will be released on Digital/Vinyl via Pillars Of Creation from April 20th 2025.

Links

https://vapewarlok.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/vapewarlok/
https://www.youtube.com/@vapewarlok8343
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0awt1BklLLUydCXkK0qxIS
https://music.amazon.co.uk/artists/B0B281VDJ4/vape-warl%C3%B6k

VAPE WARLÖK - Debut Album '...And His Skull Shall Make My Bong' Coming 4/20!

Hurling straight at you from their wholly tongue-impaled cheek comes ...And His Skull Shall Make My Bong, the debut full-length from Southern California's Vape Warlök.

If a bongwater-soaked battle vest covered in poorly-sewn-on Sleep patches and mildew became sentient and formed a band, it would be Vape Warlök. Comprising members of Unida, Circle of Sighs, and High Priestess, these denizens of the dour doom dumpster aspire to make music that is raw, primitive, and heavier than thou.

The upcoming album was written and recorded in 2023-2024 at Thee Culveric Catacombs (Culver City, CA), Suspirium Art Space (DTLA), and Downtown Rehearsal (DTLA). The trio shared an official video earlier this year for the album-opening track "Satan's Succubus."

Tracklist:

01. Satan's Succubus
02. ...And His Skull Shall Make My Bong
03. Meth Slave
04. Satanalingus: The Devil's Tongue
05. Bongmaster General

That first single alone thoroughly indicates that Vape Warlök slathers their knuckle-dragging stoner-doom in a thick husk of filthy slime that won't wash off no matter how hard you try. It's just plain gross, and that's how they like it.

...And His Skull Shall Make My Bong will be available in digital and physical format on April 20th, 2025, including limited edition vinyl via Pillars of Creation.

Pre-order now at the Vape Warlök Bandcamp:

https://vapewarlok.bandcamp.com/album/and-his-skull-shall-make-my-bong

Vape Warlök - "SATAN'S SUCCUBUS" - Official Video https://youtu.be/HY9tqXKbeig

Vape Warlök is:

The Count - Guitars, Vox, Synths
The Baron - Drums, Samples
The Duchess - Bass, Vox

"Brutal and brilliant filthy. Bongzilla meets THOU." - Steve H., Outlaws Of The Sun

"Vape Warlök are superlatively heavy, and obviously the call not to take …And His Skull Shall Make My Bong too seriously is resonant from the skullbong blacklight poster artwork on through the murky psychedelia of the “Satan’s Succubus” video and the grueling chicanery that ensues from the opener onward. At the same time, Vape Warlök aren’t so easy to discount as being just-fuckery. That there would be an awareness of their place in the genre isn’t a surprise — they’re veteran players, just with fun nicknames." - The Obelisk

"Ridiculous, filthy, ignorant riffs... A lumbering drug march through molasses. Love it." - Darryl Shepard

https://vapewarlok.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/vapewarlok/
https://www.youtube.com/@vapewarlok8343
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0awt1BklLLUydCXkK0qxIS
https://music.amazon.co.uk/artists/B0B281VDJ4/vape-warl%C3%B6k

Thanks to Mettle Media PR for all of the details.

Dallas Heavy Trio TEMPTRESS Gears Up For Fall 2024 Tour!

crew daring fate at a thunderous pace beyond Big Texas. They got together in early 2019, released an EP five months later, and haven't slipped in their velocity for even a moment. Since then, the band has garnered a loyal fan base and much praise for their music, along with an impressive track record of live performances in support of both legendary acts and emerging stars in heavy music.

Continuing their ascent from underground with their first full-length album, SEE, released in 2023 via Metal Assault Records, the trio is excited to hit more venues across the USA and announces a new series of live shows to keep up the momentum.

Guitarist/vocalist Kelsey Wilson showcases the tour highlights:

"We're back on the road this Fall for our second tour of 2024! This year, we've had a lot of internal changes, pushing us into the future of Temptress; it's been an exciting time. We have a new album in the works, we'll be tracking that and working in the studio at the end of August, ready to kick off an amazing tour the week after.

This year, we are honored to be selected for RippleFest in Austin, TX! Our tour will start in Arkansas; Vermilion Whiskey is joining us on the first week and we couldn't be happier to have our friends from Louisiana hitting the road with us.

Then we will work our way around the central south United States before heading back to Texas to close out RippleFest on Sunday night, September 22nd! We're thankful to share the stage with so many beautiful bands, friends, and fellow road-dogs alike. We'll see y'all out there, on the road, we'll see y'all at home, we love you guys and thank you for all the support!"

Temptress - Fall Tour 2024:

Sept. 05 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Grand Royale**
Sept. 06 - Little Rock, AK @ Sticky Fingerz**
Sept. 07 - Fayetteville, AK @ Smoke & Barrel**
Sept. 08 - Tulsa, OK @ Whittier Bar**
Sept. 09 - Joplin, MO @ Blackthorn**
Sept. 10 - Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge**
Sept. 12 - Denver, CO @ HQ
Sept. 13 - Colorado Springs, CO @ What’s Left Records
Sept. 14 - Taos, NM @ Goathead
Sept. 15 - Albuquerque, NM @ Rens Den
Sept. 17 - Tempe, AZ @ Yucca Tap Room
Sept. 18 - El Paso, TX @ Rosewood
Sept. 20 - Dallas, TX @ Three Links
Sept. 22 - Austin, TX @ RippleFest

**with Vermilion Whiskey

Temptress:

Kelsey Wilson - Guitar, Vocals
Andi Cuda - Drums, Vocals
Christian Wright - Bass, Vocals

https://linktr.ee/Temptressofficial
https://temptressofficial.com/

Three seasoned musicians from Texas, each with their own unique influences and long record of touring, came together to form TEMPTRESS. Kelsey Wilson (Guitar, Vocals), Andi Cuba (Drums, Vocals), and Christian Wright (Bass, Vocals) decided to get together in January 2019, for a casual afternoon jam session to simply keep their skills sharp. They didn't plan to be a band, it just worked.

In five months, they went from jamming for fun in a practice space to writing and recording some potent heavy songs. They immediately began performing them live as TEMPTRESS with the likes of Heavy Temple, Wo Fat, Ecstatic Vision, Black Tusk, and Royal Thunder. In early June 2019, they debuted three original songs in an EP, ‘Temptress‘.

Temptress finished writing their first full-length album in 2020, then hit the Crystal Clear Sound studio with Kent Stump (Wo Fat) to helm the recording, mix, and mastering - all finalized in 2021. The new record SEE, features cover art from Caitlin Mattison and released through Metal Assault Records in March 2023. Touring hasn't stopped since.

Thanks to Mettle Media PR for all of the info.

HIGH NOON KAHUNA Shares "Sidewalk Assassin" Off THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED - Out May 17th on Crucial Blast Records

High Noon Kahuna is a power trio of veteran heavy musicians from Frederick, Maryland, with Tim Otis on guitar (Admiral Browning), Brian Goad on Drums (Internal Void / The Larrys / Nagato), and Paul Cogle on Bass VI and Vocals (Black Blizzard / Vox Populi / Nagato / Slagstorm). These three gents have known each other for years and have always supported each other in their respective bands.

At the start of 2022, they were given a fortunate opportunity to jam together, which they seized with all hands. And jam, they did! When like-minded musicians converge, something magical happens. By bringing years of influence and admiration for all musical genres, the band created an unusual style of their own.

High Noon Kahuna is back in 2024 to present their second album, This Place is Haunted. This collection of songs captures the raw vibe of their last album, Killing Spree, while expanding on the band's diverse corners of influence. Spanning the genre sphere across Surf, Western, Deathrock, Noiserock, Punk, and Psych, these songs show HNK at their most aggressive... as well as most ethereal, spacey, and gothic.

All the songs on the album came from unrestricted jamming over the last 20 months. In fact, the very first notes and beats the three members ever played together was an instantly exciting song that is captured on this album (Brand New Day). In that time, the band has toured and played many shows, continuing to hone their unhinged live performances. This Place is Haunted is an evolution of the unique HNK sound and sees them at new creative heights.

Before entering the studio, roughly 80% of the songs were solidified, and most were played out live; the other 20% were based on free-form jams in the HNK archive and re-created on-the-fly, pseudo improv style. The band partnered with Kevin Bernsten and Developing Nations for recording, as they did with Killing Spree. His studio provided a vibe that sparked their creativity and gave them freedom to work at another level. Working with Kevin on this album was a creatively liberating experience; his knowledge, gear, recording space, and ear allowed the band to get wild.

Final mastering for This Place Is Haunted was completed by the ever-inventive James Plotkin at Plotkin Works. The album's stirring cover art was created by HNK's own drummer, Brian Goad.

Today, High Noon Kahuna and Crucial Blast Records are excited to present “Sidewalk Assassin,” the first single from This Place is Haunted. A punk rock flurry with surfy vibes and a soft gooey center - Aggressive AF with a message of positivity! The album is set for release on May 17th, 2024, on CD, cassette, and digital (vinyl TBA).

Stream "Sidewalk Assassin" Now:

highnoonkahuna.bandcamp.com
https://youtu.be/rwzOtiUZ8VA
https://open.spotify.com/album/215MrqougTt7ydfPDmlyUl
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/high-noon-kahuna/

This Place Is Haunted - Tracklist:

01. Atomic Sunset
02. Lamborghini
03. Prehistoric Love Letter
04. Good Night God Bless
05. The Devil’s Lettuce
06. Brand New Day
07. Midnight Moon
08. Sidewalk Assassin
09. Mystical Shit
10. Tumbleweed Nightmare
11. Flaming Dagger
12. Et Ita Factum Est

"Crucial Blast is stoked to announce that we are joining forces with longtime friends HIGH NOON KAHUNA on the release of their second album, This Place Is Haunted. Harder, darker, but also brimming with haunting melody, the Maryland band features former members of Internal Void, Vox Populi and Admiral Browning, executing an incredibly infectious mix of classic noise rock and psychedelic crunch.

The twelve songs on Haunted are on a whole new level from the band; this rumbling riff-beast brilliantly evokes everything from pummeling Am Rep abrasion, soaring Hawkwindian space rock, haunting post-punk, Dick Dale-on-acid licks, doses of massive doom-laden crush, and even wisps of classic Morricone moodiness and some hammering QOTSA-esque groove.

Easily one of the most unique bands ever to emerge from the DC/MD area, KAHUNA is weirder, heavier, and catchier than ever before, and C-BLAST is incredibly excited to bring this banger to your ears."

https://www.crucialblast.net/
https://www.crucialblastshop.net/
highnoonkahuna.bandcamp.com

High Noon Kahuna:

Tim Otis: Guitar
Brian Goad: Drums
Paul Cogle: Bass / Vocals

Upcoming Live Dates:
Apr. 27 - Frederick, MD @ Olde Mother Brewing
May 23 - Asheville, NC @ The Odd
May 24 - Richmond, VA @ Another Round
May 25 - Staunton, VA @ The Brick
May 26 - Lexington, KY @ Green Lantern
May 28 - Washington, DC @ The Pie Shop
Jun. 23 - Frederick, MD @ MARYLAND DOOM FEST (Local Release Party)

Thanks to Mettle Media PR for all of the details. 

Heavy Psych Doom Metallers TEMPTRESS Dallas Heavy Doom Trio Announces Fall 2023 US Tour

TEMPTRESS is a crew thunderously tempting fate to boom their way beyond Big Texas at sonic speed. They got together in early 2019, released an EP five months later, and haven't stalled their velocity for even a moment since.

In less than five years, TEMPTRESS has drawn a loyal fan base and press support for their music, as well as an outstanding list of live performances supporting both legendary acts and current rising stars of the heavy music world (regardless of the recent chaotic fluctuations in the world of touring).

They continue to climb from underground with their first full-length album, SEE, released through Metal Assault Records on March 3, 2023. The trio is eager to resume their travels across the USA roadways and announces a new round of live shows to sustain the momentum for SEE.

Bassist/vocalist Christian Wright dispatches with tour particulars:

"We are excited to take our project through the upper midwest, west coast, and SW this Fall, in support of our latest effort 'See', which was released in March via Metal Assault. We can't wait to catch up with friends, family, and peers both new and old along our journey. We have solid local support for the whole run and are thankful for those who helped in any way through the booking process. Community is key.

Our dear friends Dustlord (Tulsa, OK) will be joining us for the first six dates, and Grail (Phoenix, AZ) will be with us on the three Arizona dates. We extend a very special thanks to them. We are doing "An evening with" in Marfa, TX, which will likely include some heavy psych improv as well as new material. This will be a first for us and a glorious way to re-enter our home state of Texas. We look forward to seeing you out on the road."

Temptress - Fall Tour 2023:

Oct. 04 – Joplin, MO @ Blackthorn #
Oct. 05 – Des Moines, IA @ Hull Ave Tavern #
Oct. 06 – Madison, WI @ The Wisco #
Oct. 07 – Minneapolis, MN @ Studio B #
Oct. 08 – Iowa City, IA @ Gabe's #
Oct. 09 – Kansas City, MO @ Minibar #
Oct. 11 – Denver, CO @ The Crypt
Oct. 12 – SLC, UT @ Aces High Saloon
Oct. 13 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux
Oct. 14 – Moscow, ID @ Mikeys
Oct. 15 – Seattle, WA @ Funhouse
Oct. 17 – Olympia, WA @ Cryptatropa Bar
Oct. 18 – Portland, OR @ High Water Mark
Oct. 19 – Medford, OR @ Johnny B's
Oct. 20 – Oakland, CA @ The Golden Bull
Oct. 21 – San Francisco, CA @ Kilowatt Bar
Oct. 22 – Sacramento, CA @ Old Ironsides
Oct. 25 – Las Vegas, NV @ Dive Bar
Oct. 26 – Palmdale, CA @ Transplants Brewing
Oct. 27 – Los Angeles, CA @ Permanent Records
Oct. 28 – San Diego, CA @ Til-Two Club
Oct. 29 – Tempe, AZ @ Yucca Tap Room **
Oct. 30 – Tucson, AZ @ House Of Bards **
Oct. 30 – Bisbee, AZ @ The Quarry **
Nov. 01 – ABQ, NM @ (TBA)
Nov. 02 – Taos, NM @ Mercury House
Nov. 04 – Marfa, TX @ Planet Marfa
Nov. 05 – San Angelo, TX @ The Deadhorse

# w/Dustlord / ** w/Grail

Temptress:

Kelsey Wilson - Guitar, Vocals
Andi Cuda - Drums, Vocals
Christian Wright - Bass, Vocals

Three seasoned musicians from Texas with different backgrounds, influences, and a long history of touring came together to form TEMPTRESS. Kelsey Wilson (Guitar, Vocals), Andi Cuba (Drums, Vocals), and Christian Wright (Bass, Vocals) decided to get together in January 2019, for a simple afternoon of rocking out with the intent of nothing more than keeping their skills sharpened. They weren’t planning to be a band. It just worked.

In five months, these experienced players went from jamming for fun in a practice space to writing and recording some potent heavy songs. They immediately began performing them live as TEMPTRESS with the likes of Heavy Temple, Wo Fat, Ecstatic Vision, Black Tusk, and Royal Thunder. In early June 2019, they presented their first three original songs in a debut EP release, Temptress.

Temptress finished writing their first full-length album in 2020 and then hit the studio of Crystal Clear Sound with Kent Stump (Wo Fat) to helm the recording, mix, and final mastering - completed in 2021.

The new record, entitled SEE, was released through Metal Assault Records on March 3, 2023, and features cover art from Caitlin Mattison. In addition to writing new music, Temptress is touring extensively throughout 2023 to support SEE and present the album to live audiences.

Links

https://linktr.ee/Temptressofficial`
https://temptressofficial.com/

Thanks to Mettle Media PR for all of the details.

The Long Hunt - Threshold Wanderer (Album Review)

 

Release Date: April 1st 2022. Record Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Threshold Wanderer - Tracklisting

1.Prelude 01:46 

2.The Tower 05:24 

3.The Golden Bough 06:15 

4.Night Falls on Black Wings 12:33 

5.Crossing the River 04:10 

6.Procession of Dust 12:11 

Members

Trevor Richards: Guitar

Allison Kacmar Richards: Bass

Mark Lyons: Drums

Review

Threshold Wanderer is the new album from Pittsburgh Doom And Gloom Instrumentalists The Long Hunt. The band have released two other releases before this one and this is my first experience with the band so I can’t comment how this one ranks against their previous efforts. With that being said, The Long Hunt have released an outstanding album with Threshold Wanderer. The album conjures six tracks that transcends the Instrumental Doom/Stoner Metal structure with echoes of Americana Post-Doom and Hazy Psychedelic Stoner Metal allowing the band playing well executed styles of slow paced and fast paced grooves. 

There is an epic music video that accompanies this album as well which you want a more visual and “out there” experience. As this album is quite a dark and complex album hitting upon themes such as nature, life, death and rebirth.

The Long Hunt open the album up with Prelude, a very cool offering acoustic guitars and cold-hearted psychedelic atmospherics. 

Second track The Tower offers a very strange sound with echoes of Post-Rock, Post-Doom, Prog Rock and even Classic Rock before the band reach their creative destination around the half-way stage of the song. This allows The Long Hunt to “open” up their gloomy Americana sound by playing heavier and meatier slices of groove based Doom/Stoner Metal. The song becomes a more interesting experience towards the end of the song with some YOB-esque flourishes appearing. One of the albums more thrilling and delicate compositions that are held here.

Third track The Golden Bough brings a fresh “Classic Rock” and “Blues Rock” perspective that I didn’t expect at all. Quite funky and wonderfully surreal at the same time. This song has such an “easy-going” quality that the song fits superbly with both areas of Classic Hard Rock and Modern Day Doom/Stoner Metal sound the band use for this song. 

Fourth song Night Falls On Black Wings is the standout and heaviest track here with The Long Hunt simply going for the Doom/Stoner Metal jugular. The song has the right balance of slow-paced grooves and the faster aggressive Stoned Out riffs. Flirting with elements of Ambient Post-Rock sounds and Post-Stoner flair bring a fine level of distorted melodies along the way. The song lasts almost thirteen minutes and The Long Hunt play some of the finest parts of the album on both of the albums lengthiest tracks.

The final two songs Crossing The River and Procession Of Dust allows The Long Hunt to end the album on a high with more epic sounds of Doom/Stoner Metal spliced with Classic Rock, Psych Rock, Post-Rock and Prog Rock leaving you wanting more. Procession Of Dust is the other longer track contained on this album and is another mesmerising track that ultimately leaves you wanting to hear more from this album.

As I stated earlier in the review, Threshold Wanderer is an outstanding album that oozes style, charm and originality with a fine amount of heavy hitting grooves that build up for a soulful and almost out-of-body experience. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mettle Media PR for the promo.

Links

Linktree | BandCamp

    

THE LONG HUNT Announces New 'Threshold Wanderer' Album And Short Film

Threshold Wanderer' is the newest album by the Pittsburgh-based instrumental trio The Long Hunt, following 2017’s 'Wilderness Tales' EP and 2018’s 'All Paths Lead to Here' full-length.
In contrast to the dry minimalism and sparse textures that defined the first two records, the songs on 'Threshold Wanderer' are often lush, dense, and verdant. Musical styles range from post-rock to post-metal, heavy psychedelic, doom, drone, and even a few hints of prog and classic rock. 'Threshold Wanderer' is all about musical exploration and traveling between worlds.

The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered in the first quarter of 2020, with the intent to release it later that year. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the global pandemic, those plans were unfortunately shelved. Not to be deterred by events beyond their control, the band soldiered on behind the scenes.

Digitally Pre-save 'Threshold Wanderer' now!

 

After a three-month crash course in 3D modeling, using open-source animation software Blender, guitarist Trevor Richards embarked on the monumental task of writing and animating an album-length music video. Eight months and over 1000 hours of work later, the accompanying music video/short film for 'Threshold Wanderer' was born.

Expanding on the band’s frequent use of archetypal themes such as nature, life, death, and rebirth, the music video for 'Threshold Wanderer' is an epic story-driven visual experience set to the music of The Long Hunt.

Bookending two years of anticipation, the band will release both the album and accompanying music video/short film for 'Threshold Wanderer' on Friday, April 1, 2022.

Pre-order coming soon at: thelonghunt.bandcamp.com

Here's a tease from Threshold Wanderer below.

The Long Hunt is a three-piece instrumental doom, drone, psych band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Adaptable and dynamic, the music can shift in both volume and mood at a moment’s notice.

With live shows often accompanied by samples, lights, and projected images, The Long Hunt strives to create an immersive experience for the audience. The band has provided support for National/regional touring acts such as Karma to Burn, The Atomic Bitchwax, The Skull, Yatra, Rebreather, Insect Ark, Monte Luna, Mirror Queen, Horehound, Worshipper, Samothrace, He Whose Ox Is Gored, and Child Bite, as well as appearances at multiple regional festivals.

Upcoming Live Shows:

June 3-4 @ Descendants of Crom IV, Pittsburgh, PA

THE LONG HUNT Online:

https://listentothelonghunt.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thelonghuntband/
https://www.instagram.com/thelonghunt/
https://thelonghunt.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1GzuUQUobcKgH1IzjDqE74
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCL0cOWirUYVB15vEj3bwvw