Icelandic Prog Rockers THE VINTAGE CARAVAN announce studio album & stream single

Icelandic retro prog rock trio THE VINTAGE CARAVAN have announced their return with their sixth studio album, entitled Portals, set for release on 26th September 2025 via Napalm Records. The charismatic band have also released a music video for first album single 'Riot', a track dripping in their trademark sound, rich in bluesy psychedelia infused with modern intensity and irresistible riffs.

Watch the music video for 'Riot' here: 

Pre-order Portals here: https://lnk.to/TheVintageCaravan-Portals/napalmrecords

"We proudly present our sixth studio album, Portals. It’s our most diverse, dynamic, experimental album and in our opinion, our best effort yet," the band state. "Portals was recorded at Arda Recorders in Porto, Portugal in October 2024 with Axel ‘Flexi’ Árnason, with whom we worked on Voyage (2012), Arrival (2015) and the Monuments Tour (2023). This is the first time we recorded on tape and we are so happy with the results. We feel that this time we really managed to capture our live energy.

"The title of the album is a nod to the city of Porto and connecting the songs are a series of interludes which we call “Portals” that set the mood and bring you to the next track. We can’t wait for you to experience the journey that is Portals!"

On the single, singer and guitarist Óskar Logi Águstsson comments: "’Riot’ came to me in a dream. It’s the only time that has happened to me. I woke up around 7am humming the first two riffs and I really liked it and I thought to myself, “I’ll go back to sleep for a bit and then I’ll work on this”. Then I woke up again and I forgot the main riff, which was a bummer and I tried remembering the pattern all day until I gave up and went to bed, right as I was drifting off to sleep it came back to me! Thankfully!

"The track is an energetic and heavy one. The lyrics were inspired by the 2024 riots in England. We were touring the country at the time, it was a very surreal thought to be possibly caught up in a riot and I knew I wouldn’t do very well in that sort of situation, so that’s what inspired me to write the lyrics.

"We hope you enjoy 'Riot' and remember, don’t start a riot, just listen to this tune instead."

Catch the band on the following dates:

25/10/2025 UK Margate - Margate Rock Festival, Margate
26/10/2025 UK London - Camden Assembly
27/10/2025 UK Brighton - Dust
28/10/2025 UK Southampton - The 1865
29/10/2025 UK Bristol - Exchange
30/10/2025 UK Birmingham - Mama Roux
31/10/2025 UK Newcastle - Think Tank
01/11/2025 UK Glasgow - Classic Grand

THE VINTAGE CARAVAN - Riot

Portals is another testament to THE VINTAGE CARAVAN’s endlessly creative, modern take on the psychedelic retro rock sound, cementing the band’s leading position in the scene. The band’s previous studio album, Monuments, hit #21 on the German charts, marking a milestone in their evolution, and the new offering – which also features a stunning guest performance by Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt on the soulful album opener 'Philosopher' – continues to solidify THE VINTAGE CARAVAN’s reputation as torchbearers of contemporary classic rock. 

Aside from their critically acclaimed releases, the band’s electrifying live performances have mesmerized audiences at major festivals such as Wacken Open Air and Hellfest, as well as on international tours both as headliners and as support for the likes of progressive metal giants Opeth. THE VINTAGE CARAVAN will be celebrating the release of Portals with extensive headline tours in mainland Europe and the UK, announced for autumn 2025.

Tracklist

1. Philosopher (ft. Mikael Åkerfeldt)
2. Portal I
3. Days Go By
4. Portal II
5. Here You Come Again
6. Current
7. Give and Take
8. Portal III
9. Crossroads
10. Alone
11. Portal IV
12. Freedom
13. Riot
14. Electrified
15. Portal V
16. My Aurora
17. This Road

THE VINTAGE CARAVAN are:

Stefán Ari Stefánsson - Drums, backing vocals, percussion
Óskar Logi Águstsson - Electric guitars, vocals, acoustic guitars, flute
Alexander Örn Númason - Bass guitars, backing vocals, synthesizers, Farfisa

THE VINTAGE CARAVAN online:

WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
X
YOUTUBE
SPOTIFY
NAPALM RECORDS

Thanks to Hold Tight PR and All Noir PR for all of the details.

Polish Psych Doom/Progressive Stoner Act TORTUGA Reveals Album Details & Music Video for First Single "Lilith"!

New Album, Iterations – a Haunting Trip Through Time and Space – out October 27, 2023 via Napalm Records Pre-Order HERE!

[photo: Wojciech Kasprzak]

With their 2017 self-titled debut, TORTUGA took the heavy stoner and psychedelic doom metal scene by storm. Following their sophomore offering, Deities (2020), and a worldwide record deal with rock and metal empire Napalm Records, October 27, 2023 will see the Polish four-piece unleash their third studio album, Iterations!

A music video for their first single, "Lilith", is now premiering below.

TORTUGA comments:

"Lilith is a song full of emotions, an evocative journey through love and hate for humanity, a tale that embodies its own time paradox. While crafting this song, we aimed to vividly convey the interplay of these contrasting emotions, not just through lyrics, but also through the very essence of the music.

The song takes our familiar stoner/doom sound and gives it a fresh twist. You'll catch hints of Type O Negative in there; we're just big fans! We've always been drawn to the raw emotion in their music—the delicate balance between happiness and sadness. With ‘Lilith’, we aimed to capture and reflect that same emotional depth without losing our own style.
We can't wait to share it with you live!"

Compared to its predecessors, TORTUGA's forthcoming album Iterations moves from monolithic stoner-doom to progressive and experimental facettes, enriching its listeners’ auditory experience while managing to mature the band's epic doom and stoner trademarks. Anyone who may have previously mistook TORTUGA as a Lovecraftian themed band should make no mistake - they are storytellers, and Iterations proves the Poznan-based outfit puts as much effort into said storytelling as their songwriting. This time, the band digs deep and delivers a concept album about the whole history of the universe (from beginning to the end), which is also applicable, metaphorically, to the history of a person's lifetime. Each of the seven new tracks are related in context to the theme of the entire record, but every one of them is a standalone story.

Songs such as today's premiering first single, "Lilith", showcase the authentic sound and unconventional songwriting of TORTUGA. In a world of over-polished studio productions, it's even more exhilarating to discover Iterations. It's a haunting trip through time and space, full of light and shadow. With Iterations, TORTUGA has passed the challenge of album number three with a grade A: The album is a thrilling, free-spirited, deep and enthralling ride, and one that will ultimately establish the band at the top of the current stoner doom and progressive psych rock olymp!

Pre-Order Iterations HERE!

Iterations track listing:

1. Init
2. Lilith
3. Laspes
4. Interlude
5. MALACA
6. Quaus
7. Epitaph

Iterations will be available in CD Digisleeve, 1LP Gatefold PURPLE and Digital formats.

[1LP Gatefold PURPLE Edition]

For More Info Visit:

Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube

TORTUGA is:

Pablo- Guitar, Vocals, Sampler
Krzysiu - Guitar, Synth, Vocoder
Heszu - Bass
Marcin - Drums

Thanks to All Noir PR for all of the details.

CONAN - Evidence Of Immortality (Album Review)

Release Date: August 19th 2022. Record Label: Napalm Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Evidence Of Immortality - Tracklisting

A Cleaved Head No Longer Plots

Levitation Hoax

Ritual Of Anonymity

Equilibrium Of Mankind

Righteous Alliance

Grief Sequence

Members

Jon Paul Davis - Vocals/Guitars

Chris Fielding - Vocals/Bass

Johnny King - Drums

Review

Doom Metal Heavyweights Conan are back with their new album Evidence Of Immortality and it's another masterclass of BATTLE CAVEMAN DOOM. Their self styled Down Tuned blend of Doom Metal has been entertaining the underground hordes for over a decade now and that will be continuing with this record. Heavy slabs of Doomed Out Fuzz and Stoner Metal with more thunderous drumming allowing the band to be a heavier unit than ever before.

Conan brings a more Psychedelic and Fuzzier down-tuned sound for the album which you're treated to on the excellent opening track A Cleaved Head No Longer Plots which has a more sinister Progressive feel.

 

The superb vocals from Jon and Chris breathe life into this heavy tale of Doom based debauchery with the fantastic drumming being one of the main highlights of the album. Epic guitar solos reign supreme on the later stages of the song that does allow Conan the opportunity to try some wonderfully inventive Psychedelic vibes that we haven't heard from them before.

The next two songs of Levitation Haze and Ritual Of Anonymity are classic CONAN through and through. This is their "bread and butter" within the Doom Metal underground. The distorted and down-tuned sounds of both tracks are brutally loud with the instrumental work building up solid rhythms throughout especially on Levitation Haze. The vocals are eerie and full of violent intent that Jon truly revels in.

Amplifier Distortion is ever present here with Conan bringing their most brutally entertaining album since their classic debut full length Monnos. I'm a huge fan of Conan's impressive discography with Monnos being my absolute favourite release. Evidence Of Immortality is right up there with Monnos followed closely by Blood Eagle.

The final three songs of Equilibrium Of Mankind, Righteous Alliance and Grief Sequence is why I rank this album up there with Monnos and Blood Eagle. As Conan go all out playing, refining and even re-inventing themselves won this album especially on Equilibrium Of Mankind and Grief Sequence. Ambient sounds run amok with their trademark Fuzz based CAVEMAN DOOM grooves. The lyrics and vocals are bleak with a sense of danger to them.

Grief Sequence is where we see a different side to Conan with the band playing an epic fourteen minute plus instrumental song. The band play an eerie style of Funeral Doom with elements of Psych Metal, Sludge Metal and Stoner Metal. The song is wonderfully dark and quite abstract with the creative choices of music that Conan plays here. Perhaps taking a SUNN 0))) and even Pallbearer approach that can be quite daunting and uncomfortable to hear but ultimately leaving the listener wanting to hear more.

The real standout of the album is Johnny King on drums. He's absolutely amazing on this album and sounds like a true BEAST on this record. Jon and Chris do their part as well but Johnny impressed me the most on the album.

Evidence Of Immortality is an exceptional and must have album from Conan that is helped along by first rate production values with Chris doubling down on Producer, Engineering and Mixing duties for the album. James Plotkin helped with mastering the album and it leaves the listener feeling they've taking a right physical beating along the way. 

Words by Steve Howe

Evidence Of Immortality is available to buy now CD/DD/Vinyl now via Napalm Records.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Greenleaf - Hear The Rivers (Album Review)

Release date: November 09^th 2018. Label: Napalm Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Hear The Rivers – Tracklisting

1.Let It Out! 04:46

2.Sweet Is The Sound 04:07

3.A Point Of A Secret 04:36

4.Good Ol´Goat 03:15

5.The Rumble And The Weight 06:43

6.We Are The Pawns 04:30

7.Oh My Bones 02:58

8.In The Caverns Below 04:12

9.High Fever 03:02

10.The Rivers Lullaby 08:01

Members

Tommi Holappa - Guitar

Sebastian Olsson - Drums

Hans Fröhlich - Bass

Arvid Hällagård – Vocals

Review

Greetings All,

Being a music fan can be an incredibly fulfilling and frustrating endeavour. Personally, I am pretty consistently amazed by the amazing array of bands that can avoid my heavy duty, long range musical radar. I believe it was earlier this year that I found myself becoming familiarized with the awesome Black Rainbows, and I was completely dumbfounded as to how I had never heard of them before their newest record. Well, lo and behold, I have once again found myself standing in the dark with the equally amazing Greenleaf. 

The band started out as a side project for Dozer guitarist Tommi Holappa back in 2000 and these guys have just released their 7th full length. After 20 years it is safe to say Greenleaf is no longer a side project. Nor should it be. Hear the Rivers is an amazing slab of fuzzed out garage/psych rock by this Swedish quartet. The band shares a similar sound and vibe to their Euro brethren Graveyard and Kadavar, while also pulling some notes from desert rock icons Kyuss and Texas blues rock masters ZZ Top. Everything about the record rings resonates with the heart and soul of any fan of rock n roll. It is masterfully played, excellently recorded and delivers in every way shape and form.

To the songs..

From the opening salvoes of the amazing Let it Out! You know Greenleaf is bringing it. Fuzzed out riffage and driving drums carry this classic rock tune. Sweet is the Sound brings a serious groove that is reminiscent of times of early Queens of the Stone Age. The QOTSA vibe continues on my personal favorite track from the record. A Point of a Secret has a slinky but powerful feel and delivers an amazing chorus that you will be singing to yourself for weeks to come. 

A big, raucous riff brings in the stomp of Good Ol’ Goat, a straight ahead rocker that jams. While the band touches on darker subject matter throughout the record, their ability to sugar coat it with hooks and melodies makes the darkness a little bit brighter. However, the next two tracks bring a one-two punch of no frills heaviness, The Rumble and the Weight is a big heavy rock song and We are the Pawns, while also bringing the heavy, has a bit of a slower tempo and a more ominous feel. 

Oh My Bones circles back to the more straightforward retro rock feel and continues the same vibe into the awesome, In the Caverns Below. A fuzzed out homage to 60’s rock. The band bring the high octane, rock n rolla feel with High Fever before closing out with 8+ minute epic closing track, The Rivers Lullaby.

With Hear the Rivers, Greenleaf have given us the record that all wish The Sword or Queens of the Stone Age could, or should be delivering. But there is no point in wishing on a pipe dream or pining for what could have. Greenleaf have delivered the goods in spades with their newest opus. Everyone should do themselves a favor and track this record down and support the hell out of these guys. We can’t let a band this good become a side project again. Dig on This!

- Todd S

Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou

Words by Todd Stealey

Hear The Rivers is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Napalm Records.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

CONAN - Existential Void Guardian (Album Review)

Release date: September 14th 2018. Label: Napalm Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Existential Void Guardian – Tracklisting

1.Prosper On The Path

2.Eye To Eye To Eye

3.Paincantation

4.Amidst The Infinite

5.Volt Thrower

6.Vexxagon

7.Eternal Silent Legend

Members

Jon Davis - guitar / vocals

Chris Fielding - bass / vocals
Johnny King - Drums

Review

Greetings All,

England’s mighty Conan have emerged from hibernation with their monstrous 5th record, Existential Void Guardian. It is a welcome return, as the band’s distinct sounding fuzzed out brand of doom metal is on display with an awesome speaker rattling heaviness that other bands can attempt, but can never quite accomplish. Conan is a band that has their own tone and power.  Existential Void Guardian is a superb record and the band’s most cohesive yet. The seven face melting tracks are Conan at their best. To the songs;

Prosper on the Path opens with an ominous tone that brings a thunderous driving guitar and bass riff and plays out with a killer tempo change with a rolling drumbeat. Eye to Eye to Eye is one of the best heavy songs of the year. It is a driving song with a monstrous breakdown that gives way to the grind influenced, d-beat punk sound of the sub 60 second track Paincantation.

Amidst The Infinite changes gears completely as it opens with a heavy riff that carries on throughout this killer track that has a decidedly slower and ominous feel that is driven home by the pounding drums and hammer heavy cymbal crashes. The band picks up the tempo again with Volt Thrower with a faster speed and driving metal sound. Which leads into the dynamic Vexxagon, with the screamed opening of “Is this the End of Days?” this effects heavy beast rattles the listeners skull with anger and dread. The album closes with rumbling bass, drums and feedback opening of Eternal Silent Legend, that pummels the listener for the last, glorious time. The bands unique tones show through with a synth like sound and waves of feedback.

In a year that just continues to produce amazing record after amazing record, Conan have once again set themselves apart as true masters of their craft. Their sheer heaviness and relentless, fuzz fuelled riffage is second to none and once again, the barbarians known as Conan have taken their place as the kings of doom metal. We should all bow to the masters. Hail Conan!

- Todd S

Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou

Words by Todd Stealey

Thanks to Napalm Records for the promo. Existential Void Guardian will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Napalm Records from September 14th 2018.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Vinyl News - Napalm Records Releasing Monster Magnet Classics - TAB and SPINE OF GOD

Napalm Records are about to release two of Monster Magnet’s early classic releases on vinyl. TAB and Spine Of God. Two records that helped to lay down the foundations of the early sound of this legendary Psychedelic Space Rock/Stoner Metal band.

TAB is their 1991 debut release. TAB is an epic droned out space rock odyssey with the band creating some of their early trademark psychedelic sounds.

  

Monster Magnet arrived in style and announced themselves to the Stoner Rock/Metal world with the release of their classic debut album – Spine Of God. 

Criminally overlooked when it was originally released, the album’s legacy has grown and is now considered one of Monster Magnet’s most defining releases. With tracks such as Pill Shovel, Medicine, Zodiac Lung and the classic title track – Spine Of God – all helping to make Monster Magnet as one of the most defining bands of the Stoner Metal genre.

You can now buy these classic records from Napalm Records. Tab here and Spine of God here. If you’re new to the crazy psychedelic world of Monster Magnet and their legendary frontman – Dave Wyndorf, then this is the best place to start.

Monster Magnet will be releasing a new album later this year via Napalm Records.

The Midnight Ghost Train - Cypress Ave. (Album Review)

Release date: July 28^th 2017. Label: Napalm Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Cypress Ave. – Tracklisting

1. Tonight

2. Red Eye Junkie Queen

3. Glenn's Promise

4. Bury Me Deep

5. The Watchers Nest

6. Break My Love

7. Lemon Trees

8. The Boogie Down

9. Black Wave

10. The Echo

11. I Can't Let You Go(Bonus)

Band Members

Steve Moss - vocals, guitar

Brandon Burghart - drums

Mike Boyne - bass guitar

Review

The Midnight Ghost Train is one of those rare bands who are raw and unpolished, yet there's so much structure within their music. That gives a lot of freedom. With each release they've become more sophisticated but has retained that rawness and directness they are so great at. And then there was 'Cypress Ave.'

Everything The Midnight Ghost Train has built up through the years has aligned perfectly on the new album and the outcome is breathtaking. Throughout many of the songs there is the rhythm, groove and beat of Clutch and mixed with the dark, sinister and bleak pictures painted in the lyrics, amazing tunes has been created. 'Glenn's Promise' and 'Bury Me Deep' are fantastic examples if this. Other songs, like the amazing 'Tonight', 'The Watchers Nest' and 'Break My Love' bring forth feelings of 16 Horsepower and Woven Hand being dually fronted by David Eugene Edwards and Mark Lanegan. The only oddity which works extremely well is the jazzy hip hop ditty 'The Boogie Down' which features Camp Lo's Sonny Cheeba. Funky to the tee with a brass section it follows suit with album as a whole. And this is another part of this band's greatness.

Lyrically The Midnight Ghost Train sing about the down-and-outs, junkies and people living in the fringes with not much hope of anything. It's like being at a crossroads with less than good options. They sing about lies, self-doubt, broken love and they do it so well. When any of the songs play you are immediately transported into the story and the pain and suffering is so vivid and real, it's like it's all happening to you. Listen to 'Black Wave' and you know what I mean.

2017 has been other-worldly when it comes to great albums being released and this Kansas trio certainly adds magic to it. The way these guys do whatever they want to while pouring their hearts and souls into it blows me away. But who's complaining? Not me, that's for sure, because 'Cypress Ave.' is a one-of-a-kind barnburner if there ever was one.

Words by Håkan Nyman

Thanks to Mona at Napalm Records for the promo. Cypress Ave. is now available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl from Napalm Records now.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

My Sleeping Karma - Mela Ananda - Live (Album Review)

Release date: February 24^th 2017. Label: Napalm Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Mela Ananda - Live – Tracklisting

1. Prithvi

2. 23 Enigma

3. Glow11

4. Ephedra

5. Vayu

6. Akasha

7. Brahama

8. Psilocybe

9. Tamas

10. Hymn72

Review

My Sleeping Karma have always had a special place deep in my heart.

Perhaps for that kind of mysticism that their name recalls. Most probably for the sensations that their music conveys, which manage to transcend the ‘self’ to new dimensions. While reviewing their first live album, Mela Ananda (Napalm Records), I forced myself to listen it strictly through headphones and with eyes closed, travelling with the mind to those feelings that their last concert I saw (Desertfest in Berlin) sent to me.

My Sleeping Karma embody my personal vision of music, made up of technical, mysticism and psychedelia. A music that transcends and goes beyond the traditional rules. Over the years, the quartet of Aschaffenburg has created something beyond a simple musical path, gone further, creating something in their music that is hard to explain. In this live album, My Sleeping Karma run through the stages of their personal artistic, musical and (I think) spiritual development, recreating the same mood heard in the studio records.

All songs are played perfectly and with a perfect sound. The rhythm section of Matte (bass) and Steffen (drums) are literally hypnotic, able to attract the attention of the listener, which is captured by the mantra given off by the songs. The guitar of Seppi expands the rhythm section, by simply creating a unique atmosphere, where the keyboards of Norman round out the mystical work.

What to say. A live album should have, at a minimum, the power to transmit the same (or better) feelings you have in listening to the individual albums.

Here, we go further. This live album is a pure mystical experience. If you like My Sleeping Karma. If you've seen them live. If you love long and complex suites. If, in music, you love that karmic feeling that elevates you to other dimensions. If listening to a song makes you moisten the eyes and skin crawl, well, you should not miss out this album.

This album could be your starting or destination point to enter My Sleeping Karma dimension.

Sat Nam.

Words by Bruno Bellisario

Thanks to Mona at Napalm Records for the promo. Mela Ananda - Live is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl from Napalm Records.

Links:

Official | Facebook

John Garcia - The Coyote Who Spoke In Tongues (Album Review)

Release date: January 27th 2017. Label:Napalm Records: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Coyote Who Spoke In Tongues – Tracklisting

1. Kylie

2. Green Machine

3. Give me 250 mL

4. The Hollingsworth session

5. Space Cadet

6. Gardenia

7. El Rodeo

8. Argleben II

9. Court Order

Review

Well, this new year of reviews could not start better.

I had the chance to listen and review the very first acoustic album of John Garcia, The Coyote Who Spoke in Tongues, released by Napalm Records. John does not need any introduction. John is THE voice of the desert and of an entire generation (and maybe more) of artists who have found to deal with giants as Kyuss, Vista Chino, Slo Burn, Unida, Hermano and so on. Anything John has done since the days of Kyuss was a masterpiece, nothing more, nothing less. Thus, you will excuse me if this review will be anything but impartial.

The Coyote Who Spoke in Tongues is a very intimate experience of the artist, floating between new songs and classics (revisited) Kyuss masterpieces, such as Green Machine, Space Cadet, Gardenia, El Rodeo. In this adventure, John Garcia was accompanied by the guitar of Ehren Groban (War Drum), the bass of Mike Pygmie (Mondo Generator, You Know Who) and the percussions of Greg Saenz (the Dwarves, You Know Who).

The album opens with Kylie, which moves between lively atmosphere broken by moments of greatest insight enclosing a romantic soul when, about halfway, the song slows down and fills with more intimate atmosphere, thanks also to the use of synths. Although the second track of the album is a classic of Kyuss, Green Machine, I would go ahead and leave later my comments on the revisited songs from the Kyuss era. Give Me 250ml, the second unreleased of the album, reminds me to a kind of country/blues Western song, while The Hollingsworth Session dates back to more dynamic atmosphere seasoned by the use of piano. Argleben II and Court Order, the last two unreleased of the album, show the more thoughtful and relaxed acoustic side of the songwriting, where slower rhythms transmit feelings of melancholy and distension.

But...go back to the old glories of Kyuss, totally revisited in their acoustic version. Well, I never thought these songs could be so rearranged as to seem, in some cases, completely different songs. When in late 1992 the Kyuss released Blues From The Red Sun, Green Machine, the second track written by Brant Bjork was undoubtedly one of the reference songs of the album. When in the same year it was released as single, the back of the CD case said that “[...] They [aka Kyuss, nds] certainly look like something straight out of a worn promo shot of crazed sixties decibel barbarians, Blue Cheer and sound that almost unbelievably [sic] at times like a street punk version of the original Black Sabbath”.

Well, the acoustic version of Green Machine is something completely different. The skill of John in rearrange the old glories of Kyuss made Green Machine a slow and deeply intimate song that, at least in my case, excited enough to make me shudder. All remaining tracks move in the same direction, and it was nice to see songs spanning from Blues For The Red Sun to ...And The Circus Leaves Town.

The Coyote Who Spoke in Tongues is, certainly, an album that old fans will love for its ability to evoke the desert atmospheres that many years ago came as a bolt from the blue, upsetting many of us. At the same time, younger generations will appreciate the true meaning of stoner/desert music, which goes behind tuning in drop C. It is a matter of attitude.

Words by Bruno Bellisario

Thanks to Mona and Andy at Napalm Records for the promo. The Coyote Who Spoke In Tongues will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Napalm Records from January 27th 2017.

Links:

Official | Facebook | Twitter

Speaking In Tongues - An Interview With John Garcia

John Garcia is perhaps one of the most distinctive voices from the Desert/Stoner Rock era. John has had an action-packed career fronting some of the most iconic Stoner Rock bands such as Kyuss, Unida, Slo-Burn, Hermano and Vista Chino.

John is about to release his stunning new album – The Coyote Who Spoke In Tongues. A very different affair to his acclaimed 2014 debut album. The new album is an Acoustic Record where the mood is very relaxed and chilled out. Very different compared to John's legendary musical output.

John has also reformed Slo-Burn for some European Festival Dates later this year. I was given the chance to interview John Garcia recently and he provided me with a very cool and honest interview which you can read below....

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

I'm doing OK. Just trying to keep it altogether on a Sunday morning.

So we are here to discuss the new album – The Coyote Who Spoke In Tongues. Such a great record and very different to your self titled album. What can people expect from the new album.

Thank You. Too kind. One it's an acoustic record. It's quite the departure away from a full live project with Mike and Greg on bass and drums. Plus Aaron on Guitar. It's little a bit of a departure. They can expect to twist one up and sit back with your lady. Put the record on and chill. That's typically what I did when I was writing the record with Aaron.

We were in Aaron's living room in Palm Springs. It's just a chilled record.

Was it an easy decision to release an acoustic record for your next record.

First it was Steve. It was a very easy decision. Though once we got into the rehearsal room or his living room as you will, it didn't turn out easy as we thought. There's nothing to hide behind. As there's just vocals and guitar. There is some percussion in there and some bass in there. It's nothing like a full blown electric record.

Decision was easy. Doing it was another task.

Your 2014 debut album perhaps included some of your heaviest material to date. Did you want to go back to basics for the new album.

It was the original intent. When I first had the idea of doing an acoustic tour – I said to Aaron – Hey Aaron what do you think about doing this. Aaron said – Yeah, lets try it out. We went to the rehearsal room after all. The thing that got me the most was – It was a challenge. I love it when a song or project will challenge me. Almost to the point of it saying – You can't do this because it's too hard.

I love when something so emotional like these collection of songs spoke to me by saying – Hey man. You're never going to get me. You'll never be able to do this.

I thought what a challenge like Green Machine and Gardenia in a laid-back manner. My team of people working with me – Harper Hudd and Robbie Waldman who are both my producers. Steve Feldman another one of my producers. I work very closely with these guys as well as Aaron. We thought if we are going to do an acoustic record. Let's really change it up. Lets really examine these songs underneath the microscope. Make them like the originals. I think we achieved that.

I loved doing this but I also LOVED TO HATE IT. It was a really challenging record.

You've included recordings of Kyuss classics - Green Machine‘, ‘Space Cadet‘, ‘El Rodeo‘ and ‘Gardenia’ onto the album. Did you record any more Kyuss tracks.

No. That was it. There were a few of them that Aaron and I scrapped. What you hear on the record is what we strived to do. There were a couple of them that didn't make the cut. Journalist folks are asking me why your re-hashing you old songs. I told them it's a challenge and they're fun to do. I still like performing these songs to this very day.

Even though I'm 46 years old, it's still fun for me to get into an rehearsal studio and sing. All my spare time is devoted to it.

Why not use them. They're your songs. It's what your mainly known for. So why not sing them.

Agreed. I'll keep on doing that until the old ticker stops.

Though I do dig the new tracks especially Kylie, The Hollingsworth Session and Court Order. Did you write the new songs specifically for this album or did you have them lying around for a while.

Court Order was definitely was written for this record. Kylie was written for the last album. We decided to record it acoustically and it sounded better. We are going to do an electric version of Kylie soon. You may see these new songs pop-up again sometime in the future electrically. Mainly for my next record.

Where did the name “The Coyote Who Spoke In Tongues” come from the new album. Any specific meaning.

There's a big meaning to that one and it's really a personal thing. Being from the desert and I hear coyotes on a nightly basis. They'll keep me up in night and the way the communicate with each other is an amazing act of real nature. I'm in awe by it. It's very fitting for a person like myself. It was just a very fitting name.

The album is being released by Napalm Records. Just like you past two records. Solo album and Vista Chino. Are you looking to continue your relationship with Napalm or you looking for new opportunities.

No. I like Napalm Records. I really love my label and they treat me really well. They always have and treat me with a lot of respect. They care. They actually care. Some bands don't have that with their label. My relationship with Napalm couldn't be better. They treat me fairly and that's all I ask.

I think we're a good match for each other. Sebastian, Thomas and Mona over at Napalm. The whole team people behind me working on this project. It's not just a job for them. It's their passion. People seem to know me as this BIG ROCK GUY but this acoustic record is a major departure from all that. It's a chance for me to broaden the audience and reach new people.

There's something to say about growth. I do want growth as this is a business. Even though I don't make millions of dollars being a musician. I still have a full time job working at an Animal Hospital. I work as a Veterinary Technician for 3 Doctors. It's still fun for me and I will still be doing it regardless even without the money. It needs to make sense. I believe artists should be compensated for their work. I'm a firm believer in that. I rarely see any money from record sales. It's all about touring and even then it's miniscule. Thought it's still fun.

Slo-Burn will be performing at Freak Valley 2017. Let me tell you I've been hounded by my friends asking more about this. Is this a one-off appearance. Will you be doing more gigs or tours in the future. Any potential future releases or is this too early to tell.

We will be doing a handful of shows in Europe. Probably 7 or 8 shows in Europe. Then we will see what happens. We're still friends and we've been talking about doing this for years. I like surprises. Not only at Freak Valley. We are also doing Hellfest and a couple of club shows as well. Everything is all set for that. Guys are already rehearsing and I will be rehearsing soon.

It's taking years in the making for this to happen. We're going to have some fun. That's the main reason behind the reunion. We want to have some fun and share the stage with each other again.

The whole response has surprised me since we announced the news.

Obviously your mostly associated with Kyuss. Unida, Slo-Burn, Hermano amongst others. What's the latest involvement with Unida and Hermano.

I'm very content with the direction I'm going in now. My main focus is my solo career. These little one-off shows are just things to keep me busy and relax with a bunch of good guys to play some music.

Photo Credit by: Richard Sibbald

Looking back over your incredible career over the last 28 years or so. Has it surprised you the journey your music career has taken you upon.

Yes. Absolutely. What a journey it's been. It's been a lot of ups and downs. Though mainly ups. I'm very lucky to be even talking to you about music. I appreciate that. People can still buy records and see there's this great band by the this dude called Josh and he's got these Desert Sessions.

Nick started this and that. Brant was in Fu Manchu and started that other new band. I started Slo-Burn. I love the history of it all and the desert as I'm still residing here. I'm still able to create new music with other Desert based musicians. I'm very lucky and it's something I don't take for granted.

Talking to you over the phone discussing this stuff blows my mind. I appreciate it.

What's your verdict of the current Desert/Stoner Rock scene. Do you follow bands who say their inspired by your work.

I don't listen to a lot of new music. I search if someone recommends something to me. I very rarely find something new that I enjoy. I'm listening to a lot of Jazz at the moment. A lot of Coltrane. It's relaxing to me. I get a lot of that stuff when I'm on the road and even when I'm in my own car. I still listen to “Oldies” Radio Stations. The majority of my life recently I've been listening to 60's Rat-Pack music. Frank Sinatra and that sort of thing.

I will then go from Jazz to something a bit more modern. I'm listening to Gnarls Barkley with Cee-Lo Green. The first record is called Saint Elsewhere. I still listen to that album and it's amazing. It goes from Jazz to other elements.

There have been two documentaries released this year. Desert Age and Lo Sound Desert. I was surprised you weren't involved in any of those films. Were you asked to be apart of those films.

Yeah I was. To be quite honest with you. I think the whole Desert Scene is over-hyped. This is my point of view as still as a musician who lives in the desert and who never left the desert. I'm still here. I think the Desert Rock scene got a little bit overhyped. Partially the fault is the people who reside here. I think it got a lot of overhyped. If you want to write about a music scene then you should probably visit Seattle and talk about that music scene.

As the music scene down here was really guys out of sheer boredom and wanting to play music. Mainly to find the means to do it. There were no clubs here. So what do you do. Any necessity to do it. Necessity is the mother of all inventions. It was a necessity for us to play the music. We had to. We found a place to play. Why did it become so famous and legendary due to these generator parties. People saying how mystical it was. It was a house party.

People have these all the time. If it happens to be in South London or Nebraska. People are going to find a place to play music. It happens all the time. I don't know why this scene got more blown up than the other scenes. It was partially down to musicians based here. Kyuss mainly. These were just high-school parties. They're exactly no different to other high-school parties. Absolutely no difference at all. The only exception they were played in the middle of the desert. People are always going to find a way to play music. It got blown out of proportion.

I just think these writers and producers didn't want to hear that. They wanted to keep it legendary. They wanted people to say how awesome and mystical it was. They want people to say how cool it was. You know what Steve, I don't want to be FUCKING COOL!!!

I don't want to be any of that. I'm a father, a husband and I bust my ass for my family. I bust my ass to play music. People get over-excited about making a name for themselves and for the Desert Rock scene. I'm passionate about what I called my DESERT. Letting it be is totally fine by me.

My final question is – Does it surprise you that people still hold Kyuss in such high regard. Even 20 plus years since you guys split up.

Yes. It does. I'll always be known as the singer from Kyuss. I'll always appreciate that. People are passing Cassettes, CD's and MP3's of Kyuss from one generation to the next. They will say have you heard this and put on Green Machine. People say – Who the hell is this band. That's the reason why the music is still alive. People pass the music back to one another. They continue to share music. I really appreciate it. As it keeps my career going.

I'm a realist. I'll give credit where credit is due. Kyuss is a big part of my career. I appreciate people are still buying records and still listening to the music. It keeps my career going. I don't take this for granted at all.

Thanks for doing this interview John. Been a real honour talking to you. Best of luck with the album. It's a great record.

Thanks very much and I appreciate your kind words. So thanks again.

Words by Steve Howe and John Garcia.

Thanks to John for doing this interview. Thanks to Andy and Mona at Napalm Records for arranging this interview. The Coyote Who Spoke In Tongues will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Napalm Records from Jan 27th 2017.

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