Pharm - Proton Blizzard (Single Review)

Release Date: July 17th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Proton Blizzard - Tracklist

Proton Blizzard

Review

Experimental Stoner Rockers Pharm release their latest single Proton Blizzard which is a fusion of Psych Rock, Sludge Rock, Punk Rock, Doom and Alternative Metal. Imagine PRIMUS decided to solely focus on weird Sludge, Stoner and Doom Metal anthems with a slight skittish Mutoid Man influence lurking behind the scenes. Well, that’s what you get with Proton Blizzard and it's a great song that lives upto to it’s GONZO delivery with freakish beats and a massive Funk Rock attitude. 

Pharm have been on the blog before when I reviewed their previous releases and it’s always good to have them back on here as they always deliver a manic slice of crazy heaviness. The four minutes on offer here veers into different areas of Heavy Rock with a fast-paced narrative that’s delivered through off-kilter melodic vocals, warped lyrics and some thrilling bass lines holding everything together.

The song does feel like it’s been left off a Mutoid Man record but Pharm add their own great style of humour with some subversive moments being played along the way. It’s not the easiest track to fully understand what’s going on but with multiple listens Pharm offers brief glimpses into what is actually going on with this track. Adding some intense Psychedelic beats also thrusts the song into full blown over the top theatrics especially when they change their musical style to a frenzied Thrash Metal delivery towards the end of the track. 

For the uninitiated, Pharm is a breath of fresh air and a creative force of nature where everything goes and a whole lot of things don't make complete sense. If you’re already part of the PHARM program then be prepared for a wild and manic ride that shows brief glimpses where their future releases may be heading!!!

Words by Steve Howe

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Progressive Stoner Metallers Pharm to Unleash Blistering New Single, "Crackhead Arachnid," on March 31st

KELOWNA, BC –– The three mystical scientifical mad lads are back at it again!

Pharm, the mongers of mind melting prog infused stoner metal, have announced the release of the first single, "Crackhead Arachnid", off their highly anticipated second album. The track is clambering out and busting speakers on March 31st, 2026

Infamous for their twisting riffs, psychedelic time changes, and unhinged drum work, Pharm returns from the road, bringing their wild flair into the studio for their most blistering work yet. "Crackhead Arachnid" promises to be an absolutely filthy addition to their catalogue, offering fans a bone-jarring blend of relentless drumming, precision riffery, sci-fi theremin, and menacing keyboard and guitar work that conjures the specter of ritualistic doom.

The single was recorded deep in the heart of the Okanagan at Archouse Studios, capturing a raw, uncompromising energy that has become the band's signature. It is a sonic journey that will appeal to fans of Black Sabbath, Rush and Mastodon.

Accompanying the track is their crazy guerilla style video which blends live footage, signature greasiness and the phellas' unmistakable energy.

"Crackhead Arachid" will be available for streaming on all major streaming platforms on March 31st, 2026. The video will be released the same day.

About Pharm:

Pharm was forged in the early days of 2019. Their debut album "Vortex" took the fellas on a 52-day tour in the summer of 2023. The 3 fellas’ whacky antics on and off the stage precedes their reputation for their delicious musical blend of proggy rock and stoner metal. 2023 saw the release of their critically acclaimed, raucous EP, “The Tower”.

Since then, they've been featured at Massif Festival, Loud As Hell, Mosh the Rock, Pharmphest, Psychfest,Electric Highway Festival, Wacken Metal Battle, Armstrong Metal Fest and Canadian Music Week in Toronto. Album number 2 is far underway and will bring old and new fans alike into an uncharted and nutty territory.  

They're coming to make heads bang and change up the timing faster than Einstein's microwave!

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Pharm - The Tower (EP Review)

Release Date: December 01st 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

The Tower - Tracklisting

1.Infinite Stairway of Madness 03:53

2.No Mouth, Must Scream 07:17

3.The Tower 02:52

Review

Prog Stoner Metallers Pharm return with their new EP - The Tower. It’s great to see the band have kept their jagged and experimental sound from their 2022 debut album Vortex. The Tower is fourteen minutes of chaotic sounding Punk/Metal grooves that has a slight PRIMUS feeling within this release alone. As Pharm channels many different styles for Punk, Prog, Doom, Psych and Stoner sounds for The Tower that can be very overwhelming at times. However, Pharm delivers an inspired style of warped melody throughout the EP which you can feel instantly on the excellent opening track Infinite Stairway Of Madness.

Second track No Mouth, Must Scream is more of a Prog Rock/Metal sound with perhaps small traces of Funk Rock appearing here and there. Pharm delivers strands of Experimental Stoner grooves with the crazed vocals allowing the band to conjure up Frank Zappa-esque warped themes with a real nightmarish quality shining through. The song is brilliantly weird and sometimes the mood can be hyper-kinetic which gives the EP a true outlandish feel.

The final track The Tower continues with the warped audio imagery of the previous track but with a more direct Hard Rock sound. The sound is still flashy and outrageous but there’s a more classic Stoner Rock sound appearing within the more theatrical moments of the song. The later stages become more despairing and critical of the modern world with the intense lyrics the band have written for this song. 

The Tower is another daring release from Pharm and allows them to take their music and creative vision into a whole exciting direction compared to their debut album. If you like your Stoner Rock/Metal with a whole load of Experimentation and Paranoia then Pharm are the band for you.

Words by Steve Howe 

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Pharm - Vortex (Album Review)

Date Released: October 29th 2022. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Vortex: Tracklisting

1.Acolyte 04:43

2.Conqueror 05:46

3.Device 04:05

4.Rat Milk, Pt. 1 01:23

5.Crystal Ships 04:39

6.Six 07:15

7.Tear at the Wall 05:58

8.Embryo 04:52

9.The Time Borrower, Pt. 1 01:00

10.Orbiting the Vortex 09:27

11.Thanks 02:14

Members

Lucas Segall, Teagan Ramage, Matt Parson

Review

Vortex is the debut album from Prog Stoner Rockers Pharm who primarily deal in Prog Metal excess rather than the STONER/WEEDIAN Slant their music ultimately includes. The album is bursting at the seams with manic Psychedelic Sounds that has a twinge of FUZZ ROCK and GLOOMY riffs with classic Stoner based vocals.

Pharm starts the album in a highly confident fashion with the opening track Acolyte that sounds like KYUSS and TRUCKFIGHTERS discovering Prog Rock Music for the first time. The song is a mix of Desert Rock, Stoner Rock and Prog Rock grooves that has some complex prog rhythms behind it all whilst still allowing the band to play a high amount of extended jams. Throw in some CLASSIC BLUES ROCK that can be quite freaky and funky then Pharm aren’t your standard Stoner Rock/Metal band.

Second song Conqueror opts for an experimental and progressive approach with the Stoner aspect still being the main theme for Pharm to play loud excessive sounds that have a lot of different noisy aspects in the background. Vocals are loud, boisterous and fun with Pharm doing their own wild creative thing on this track. Jazzy beats and a subtle stop-start style of riffs are quite subtle but a whole lot of fun at the same time. Excessive Trippy and Psychedelic noises appear towards the end of the song and the song descends into Noise Rock based CHAOS but with a satisfying WEEDIAN approach.

Third song Device is another funky based number with the excellent bass guitar being the dominant musical sound that you’ll hear with superb vocals working surprisingly well against the first rate Organs, Keys and Synths. Maybe Pharm is taking a creative approach that reminds me of PRIMUS and FRANK ZAPPA though if they all played Experimental Stoner Rock. The song is multi-layered and complex with many different levels of subdued STONER based madness to it all. 

Pharm only become weirder and weirder from this point on with the band taking more surreal creative choices and risks for the album on tracks such as: Crystal Ships, Six, Tear At The Wall and Embryo where the band fuse Classic Rock and Garage Rock into the mix with mostly surprisingly entertaining results. 

There is perhaps too much to focus upon on the later stages of the album with Pharm still maintaining a highly confident charm. The songs are still fun and full of wild exciting grooves and psychedelic sounds to keep the album genuinely exciting from start to finish.

I was majorly impressed by Orbiting The Vortex which remains my favourite part of the album as Pharm play a more classic style of Prog Stoner Metal. The song has cool vocals, superbly written lyrics and intense STONER riffs that I felt showed Pharm at their creative best.  Everything was in it’s right place and even the more experimental choices Pharm made on this track ultimately serves it’s creative purpose and make a whole lot of sense. 

Vortex is a uniquely different album from the Stoner Rock/Metal underground scene and it ends up becoming quite a damn good album to listen to. Full of wonderfully weird and different strands of Stoner Rock/Metal, Pharm have delivered the goods with this album.

Words by Steve Howe

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