Bees Made Honey In The Vein Tree - In Between Strides (Album Review)

Release Date: September 18th 2026. Record Label: Magnetic Eye Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

In Between Strides - Tracklist

1. Departure

2. Respite

3. Clutching at Straws

4. Elisa

5. Return, Precipice

Members

Simon Weinrich – guitar, vocals, Rhodes piano

Marc Dreher – drums, vocals, Rhodes piano

Lucas Dreher – guitar

Christopher Popowitsch – bass

Review

Bees Made Honey In The Vein Tree return with their exquisite fourth album In Between Strides which will surely establish them once and for all as one of the most refreshing and essential modern day Psychedelic Doom/Post-Metal outfits the scene currently has right now. The band perhaps rely on a refreshing style of Ambient Metal unlike ever before with this release which allows them to construct the perfect musical gateway in delivering their sublime Post-Rock vs Post-Metal based structures. 

Though, the band still build those Post-Metal foundations on a solid level of Psychedelic Doom Metal with moody Stoner Rock based measures which comes superbly well within the opening tracks of Departure and Respite. Bees Made Honey In The Vein Tree construct an epic cinematic narrative with their lyrical content and the haunting vocals that appear with a dedicated Alternative melody allowing the band to deliver sludgier instrumental sounds.

Some of the songs are quite fractured which reminds me of Pelican and Russian Circles in places but it’s the winning meditative energy that brings everything back together. With a free-flowing creativity matched only by the likes of ELDER and YOB, there’s always something unique, heavy and emotionally rewarding being played within every track.

In Between Strides allows Bees Made Honey In The Vein Tree to experiment with areas of Drone Rock, Shoegaze and Prog Rock which arrives on different parts of the album. The band even experimented with haunting piano melodies with both Simon Weinrich and Marc Dreher playing superb instrumental pieces on the Rhodes Piano. 

The second track Respite is more of a Jazzy Post-Rock interlude which showcases a more caring and tender side of the band which is beautifully played and layered with small movements of Psych Rock and Spaced Out sounds. There’s a small glimmer of Drone appearing within the closing stages which allows the band to add a brief sense of gloom and hopefulness into the mix.

Third track Clutching At Straws sees the band return to that heavy Doomgaze world with echoes of Psychedelic Doom being the main focus with distorted sludgy rhythms developing into a modern Post-Metal sound. This is layered with choppy instances of Sludge and Drone with a harsh backdrop of Stoner Metal which is the heaviest part of the album and perhaps the band’s career to date. Everything feels like it is being destroyed before being rebuilt in a more peaceful and hopeful image when the uplifting Ambient Post-Rock melodies appear within the final moments. 

The final two tracks of Elisa and Return, Precipice is a great combination of cinematic based surroundings which sees Bees Made Honey in The Vein Tree to further explore different areas of Doomed Out Heaviness with Elisa really hitting some hard-hitting emotionally charged movements. The vocals are excellent once more but it’s the progressive themes and technical sounds that capture the imagination especially from Marc Dreher (Drums) and Christopher Popowitsch (Bass) as they form a great understanding with that epic rhythm section.

This allows Lucas Dreher (Guitar) and Simon Weinrich (Guitar) to create world-expanding Cosmic based guitar passages which becomes more Space Rock dominated though still holding the band’s core instrumental sound. The vocals do become more depressing, bleak and ultimately destructive within the final track of Return, Precipice with music even transforming into a heavier blend of Blackened Post-Metal but with that sublime Post-Doom momentum still being heard within the background.

This is another album of the year from Bees Made Honey In The Vein Tree, as In Between Strides is the band’s heaviest, aggressive and most unique sounding record yet. The music is wonderfully precise, beautifully sweet and equally as destructive the next. The whole journey feels like one grand musical adventure which instantly draws you in with its sweeping romantic Doomed Out measures that will leave you in a tranquil state of being.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to All Noir and Magnetic Eye Records for the details.

In Between Strides is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Magnetic Eye Records.

Links

https://beesmadehoneyintheveintree.com
www.facebook.com/beesmadehoneyintheveintree
www.instagram.com/beesmadehoneyintheveintree

Void Sinker - Pitch Black Sun (EP Review)

Release Date: September 04th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Pitch Black Sun - Tracklist

1.Pitch 

2.Black

3.Sun

Members

Guglielmo Allegro - Everything

Review

Drone/Doom/Sludge Metal instrumentalist Void Sinker offers another round of distorted misery with their latest chapter called Pitch Black Sun. Influenced by the wretched and cursed summer weather that Guglielmo Allegro experienced in his native home country of Italy, this record continues a similar journey heard on the last record of Cycle. This record has a gut-wrenching drone sound that holds everything down into the depths of Sludge based DOOM METAL. 

There’s a crushing Pitch-Black delivery that allows Void Sinker to create overlapping areas of pure violent distortion with a sweeping Post-Metal sound that has a gloomy aquatic energy that is disturbingly played for long stretches of mind expanding psychological terror.  The three part EP aligns the music closely to the likes of BONG, SUNN O))) and EARTH with no sense of upbeat energy appearing at all.

The thick industrial beats and massive chasms expand even more violently on the epic second track “BLACK” with even more layers of evil sounding DRONE METAL coming up from the depths of hell. The subtle chants can be heard which adds a classic Seventies Horror Movie effect with brief excursions into Cosmic Horror along the way.

Pitch Black Sun lasts for around twenty five minutes but it’s another cautionary and superb record from Void Sinker where they feel rejuvenated by the great use of Black Metal dynamics that perfectly matches the downbeat cover that illustrates what to expect for this record. The Ambient melodies have a distinctive Ambient Metal attitude with Guglielmo performing long drawn out instrumental sounds that feel like a mentally and physically exhausting workout before everything is said and done.

Void Sinker impresses yet again with another sublime release that’s perhaps his most intense, darkest and droned out record in quite some time. This is one perhaps for dedicated followers of Void Sinker only but what a great experience that ultimately awaits them.

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Chat Pile - Who Loves The Sun (Album Review)

Release Date: September 04th 2026. Record Label: The Flenser. Format: CD/DD/Tape/Vinyl

Who Loves The Sun - Tracklist

1.Creature
2.Deep Blue
3.Same Rules
4.PEN I S MALL
5.Shrine
6.Intruder
7.Christabel ‘26
8.Influence
9.Family Funeral
10.October All The Time

Members

Ray B. - Vocals
L. Manhole - Guitar
Stin - Bass
Drums - Cap’n Ron

Review

Noise/Sludge Metallers Chat Pile return with their highly anticipated third album Who Loves The Sun which once again highlights why they’re one of the most unpredictable, original and most important bands to emerge from the Heavy Metal scene in years. This record shows once again how the band incorporates new elements of music into their ever-growing sound such as Alt Rock, Indie Rock, Shoegaze and Trip-Hop.

Chat Pile demonstrates why they’re so highly thought of with ten tracks that captures the raw essence of the Sludge Metal scene with a grimy and seedy attitude most bands cannot capture. The moody Noise Rock theatrics keeps everything grounded and allows Chat Pile to reinvent themselves yet again with a mixture of Industrial Metal and Post-Punk beats which has a mighty Eighties Rock presence especially within the lyrics and the more somber parts of the record. There’s a great style of vicious melody and rhythm developing which is more focused compared to their previous two albums.

Who Loves The Sun even has brilliantly refined commercial aspects which can easily launch these guys further into the mainstream. The despairing Noise Rock quality reminds me of The Jesus Lizard jamming with the likes of The Melvins and Kowloon Walled City but with Chat Pile keeping their own unflinching approach with bleak lyrics holding everything together. The shift in minimalist Post-Rock, Post-Punk and Sludge Metal is quite refreshing with a subtle Grunge and Psychedelic flavour emerging which adds a real chameleon like effect to the whole journey.

The “Doom & Gloom” essence is stripped apart and rebuilt within the band’s image which they incorporate into almost every track with a filth ridden attitude that can be quite buoyant and gleefully upbeat at times. The raw sounding production values allows Chat Pile to play at their own destructive slow-to-mid paced grooves with a level of sheer heaviness only appearing when it’s really needed.

The first half of the album allows Chat Pile to explore a decaying style of Grunge, Noise and Alt Rock with songs Creature, Same Rules and PEN I S MALL adding a heap of Blackened Sludge themes for a subversive experience. This allows the lead vocals to demonstrate a politically charged energy that really does hammer the points home that Chat Pile are providing this album.

Chat Pile are fully committed to exploring different areas of music for this record on other tracks such as Shrine, Intruder, Family Funeral and October All The Time which have some of the most rewarding moments on the album. The whole mood is constantly engaging with intense progressive musical passages being quite hypnotic and brilliantly surreal. 

Who Loves The Sun isn’t an easy album to listen to but it’s one that offers a must have experience where Chat Pile doesn't even offer any easy answers or solutions. As they leave this up to the listener’s own conclusions. What is guaranteed is another masterful record from Chat Pile that once again cements their status as one of the most important Heavy Rock bands in the world currently playing today. 

This is an absolute masterpiece and is a record everyone needs to own right now!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Rarely Unable PR for the promo.

Who Loves The Sun is available to buy now on CD, Digital, Tape and Vinyl.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

30,000 Monkies - Super Rebound (Album Review)

Release Date: September 18th 2026. Record Label: FVN KULT RECORDS. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Super Rebound - Tracklist

1.THE GUMS

2.PRISM BREAK 

3.[HORNS WAILING]

4.MOUNTAINESQUE 4

5.UNSOUND HERO

6.[SIREN SINGING]

7.SUPER REBOUND 

8.SWERVER

9.[BELLS RINGING, TALE MELTING]

 

Members

Ruben Savelkoul (Guitar, Vocals, Programming)

Michiel De Naegel (Guitar, Vocals)

Cyril Beerten (Bass, Vocals)

Mattias Jonniaux (Drums)

Review

Doom/Sludge/Noise/Sonic Terrorists 30,000 Monkies return with their sixth album Super Rebound and it’s equally weird and brilliantly fucked as their previous albums. However, this is the band’s most heaviest, creative, riff-centric and dare I say hopefully optimistic despite the harsh and bleak savagery the band put the listener through. Taking the classic Post-Metal template used by the likes of NEUROSIS, ISIS and CULT OF LUNA before applying an experimental vibe that reminds of BORIS and THE MELVINS. 

The added use of Psych Metal, Industrial Metal, Punk Metal and Stoner Metal make drastic appearances throughout the album where 30,000 Monkies not only come to terms with their own musical legacy but also redefining and reinventing everything for the better. This album does have a warped schizophrenic vision but there’s a gloomy sense of rhythm and melody holding everything together with the bombastic vocals being sung violently but with real purpose. 

You can see the band applying a nightmarish delivery to their music but it’s superbly real and grounded even with 30,000 Monkies applying a scattered approach to the overlapping areas of music being played like their lives dependent on it. The Blackened Sludge melodies does remind me of KVELERTAK on certain parts of the album with 30,000 Monkikes developing a non-stop array of grooves, riffs and musical hooks to entice the listener with. 

30,000 Monkies perhaps over do things with the SONIC passages and feedback loops where the music could have a great “LESS IS MORE” delivery but I would be lying to myself if I don’t own up to the fact that the album works best when the band unleash a torrent of fucked up grooves that venture into the Experimental Metal spectrum. 

Super Rebound does feel too long at times but it’s never boring with 30,000 Monkies creating a non-stop symphony of chaotic violence on tracks such as The Gums, Prism Break, Mountainesque 4, Unsound Hero, Super Rebound and [Bells Ringing, Tales Melting]. You will probably need a few listens to fully understand the message that 30,000 Monkies are trying to deliver with Super Rebound. However, it’s worth doing this as I missed quite a lot during my first listen of the album. That’s mostly down to how many different areas of music that 30,000 continues to develop throughout the album.

The whole experience is wonderfully offbeat to the very end but 30,000 Monkies never lose sight on how to have fun with the record even if they’re confronting their own musical legacy and creative mortality within the main themes of Super Rebound. The multi-faceted approach of the album is absolutely groundbreaking in the grand scheme of things as you don’t experience this style of Doom, Sludge and Post-metal very often.

This was a very hard album to review where I must have written about five different versions before settling on this one. I apologise to everyone if I didn’t manage to capture the unique presence of this album but that’s what to expect for such a true original that allows 30,000 Monkies to be one of the most daring and highly original bands within the underground Doom/Sludge Metal scene today.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the promo.

Super Rebound is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via FVN KULT RECORDS.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Instrumental Doom/Drone/Sludge Collective VOID SINKER Announce New EP - PITCH BLACK SUN

Void Sinker is proud to present the newest release of 2026.

A terrible omen hangs over us: a pitch-black sun radiating the earth with its restless heat. Seeking shelter in the shade is futile; its might reaches even where it cannot see you.

Recorded at home during this cursed summer heat—which grows increasingly oppressive—the EP was crafted to capture the sense of suffocation and faintness felt beneath the scorching sun of a season that is becoming ever more unbearable for humankind.

Are we perhaps destined to live by night? Only time will tell...

Release date: 09/04/2026

Format: Digital (Bandcamp)

https://voidsinker.bandcamp.com/music

Links 

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Veilcaste - Hellward (Album Review)

Release Date: September 04th 2026. Record Label: Third House Communication. Format: CD/DD/Tape/Vinyl

Hellward - Tracklist

1.Embedded 

2.Chains 

3.Altar of Ecstasy 

4.Vore

5.Anchored

6.Hellward

7.Worn in Stone

8.I am the Guillotine

Members

Chris Cruz - Drums

Dustin Mendel - Vocals

T Garrett O’Sha - Guitar

John Rau - Guitar & Vocals

Gabe Whitcomb - Bass

Additional Instrumentation

Carl Byers - Keys on Altar of Ecstasy, 12 String & Feedback on Vore

Chris Cruz - Guitar Solo on Embedded

John Rau - Keys & 12 String on Anchored, Shaker on Hellward, Classical on I am the Guillotine

Review

Doom/Sludge Metallers Veilcaste return with their new album Hellward and allows the band to be closer aligned to the likes of Mastodon, High On Fire, Neurosis, YOB, Monolord and Motorhead. These are bands that allow the band to solidify their intense style of Progressive Sludge Metal which has the great style of Psych, Doom, Ambient Metal and Stoner Metal compounds for perhaps their most aggressive and catchiest album yet. 

Hellward allows Velicaste to offer a heavier style of SONIC fuelled melodies with a sprinkling of Thrash Metal madness within the first half of the record on tracks such as Hellward, Chains and Altar Of Ecstasy. The vocals from Dustin Mendel and John Rau have a great contrast to each other especially when the chanting based vocals appear. This gives Veilcaste a slight Space Rock edge with the rest of the band instantly becoming Spaced Out Riff Wizards but with an intense gloomy delivery that’s played throughout your speakers.

The lyrics are quite aggressive and have that classic HIGH ON FIRE and MASTODON energy to them with a real grounded sense to them. The use of LOW & SLOW mechanics is another great aspect that Veilcaste have been using more and more on their last few releases. This elevates their Psych Metal aspect of their sound to a heavier level of ambient awareness as Veilcaste’s music becomes more Post-Doom and Spaced Out obsessive right up to the very end.

Hellward once again undergoes a minor creative shift with a harsh Post-Metallic within the excellent standout tracks of Altar Of Ecstasy and Vore with intricate Sludge Metal rhythms being quite direct though it’s the brutality of the lyrics that make the real impression. Veilcaste pull no punches with their lyrics as you feel you’re getting knocked out by those alone and I loved when the band ventured into Post-Rock surroundings but still maintaining their Heavy Metal composure.

The second half of the album has a frenzied Post-Metal atmosphere with a real end of the world quality as Veilcaste offer a bleaker narrative with faster grooves and violent fuzzier sonic melodies with hidden distorted guitars being demonstrated on tracks: Anchored and Hellward. 

The record does become quite fantastical but it works to Veilcaste’s advantage as they bring a real classic Science Fiction and Horror aspect to the record which makes the album really standout. The duelling vocals from Duston and John feel like they’re completely battling each other for complete control on where the album is meant to go. This is thrilling and violently loud spectacle to experience with Velicaste unexpectedly adding layers of Drone and Distortion to their sound which gives Hellward quite an unpredictable quality.

Credit must also got to the other band members of Veilcaste (Chris Cruz - Drums, T Garrett O’Sha - Guitar and Gabe Whitcomb - Bass) as they also play their part in creating an absolute masterclass of modern day Doom/Sludge Metal that has a classic Post-Metal attitude bringing massive waves of destructive grooves to annihilate everything in Veilcaste’s wake.

Hellward is perhaps the album that finally allows Veilcaste to get noticed outside the confinements of the underground Heavy Metal scene and propel them onto greater things. The guys deserve this as they have delivered with their best record to date which leaves you wholly satisfied even if you are left emotionally drained and a shivering wreck when listening to this amazing album.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Third House Communications and Blood Wisdom PR for the promo.

Hellward is available to buy now on CD, Digital Download, Tape and Vinyl via Third House Communications.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Pomroe - Heavy Drama (EP Review)

Release Date: August 15th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Heavy Drama - Tracklist

1.Tabby 05:05

2.Outside 03:58

3.Cover the whole 02:19

4.Slime 04:05

5.Center 04:29

Members

Maria Zgoda - guitar/bass, vocals

Paweł Zychowicz - guitar

Bartłomiej Czajkowski - drums

Review

Heavy Drama is the debut EP from Doom/Grunge/Sludge/Stoner Rockers Pomroe who have emerged from the Polish Heavy Rock underground scene and they have similar sounds to bands that have already made their presence known over the years. There’s a stubborn and aggressive attitude to Pomroe which makes their music have an uneasy atmosphere which is heard very early on within their debut release.

There’s an early Deftones presence which allows Pomroe build a determined level of intense murky sounds with a gloomy attitude appearing within tracks such as Tabby and Outside. There’s a slight Post-Punk and Alt-Metal movement heard within how the music is delivered. This has some disjointed and stripped back elements which gives the music a slight chaotic feel but the committed enthusiasm of Pomroe to deliver some great sounding Sludge/Stoner Metal ideas throughout..

The vocals from Maria Zgoda feel quite different to what I originally anticipated. As they’re quite grounded but perhaps best suited to a full on Alt-Metal or Post-Metal style of music and not music such as Pomroe ultimately deliver. However, this works to Pomroe’s advantage as it gives the band a great sullen vibe or energy of their own making where you can hear echoes of TOOL and A Perfect Circle emerging on tracks such as Tabby, Outside and Slime.

The music on the later stages of Heavy Drama has a great Post-Doom / Post-Sludge methodology appearing whilst exploring areas of Drone and Distortion which can only be described as pure paranoia in cases. There’s an underlying sense of dread developing which has the hallmarks of early-era Nine Inch Nails but fully contained within the world of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal.

Heavy Drama does feel unpolished at times but this only adds to the uncomfortable feeling you get from listening to the EP and makes it an even better audio experience as a result. It’s not perfect and is perhaps best described as a “WORK IN PROGRESS" but Pomroe have piqued my interest and I’m definitely interested to hear what they will be releasing next. 

Great stuff.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

Exclusive Song & Video Premiere Of Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers VEILCASTE Stunning Track CHAINS From Upcoming New Album

Forged in Indianapolis, Indiana, Veilcaste has spent the better part of fifteen years crafting music that is as //emotionally weighty as it is sonically crushing. Emerging from the band's earlier incarnation as Conjurer, Veilcaste represents both an evolution in identity and a continued commitment to writing immersive, riff-driven doom and sludge that resonates long after the final note fades.

Drawing from the bleak atmosphere of traditional doom, the raw power of sludge metal, and the expansive dynamics of post-metal, Veilcaste creates songs that balance massive, earth-shaking riffs with moments of haunting melody and introspection. Their music explores themes of personal struggle, perseverance, loss, and the complexities of the human experience, delivering a sound that is both punishing and deeply reflective.

The band's previous full-length, Precipice, showcased their ability to weave towering heaviness with thoughtful songwriting, earning praise throughout the underground doom community and further establishing them as one of the Midwest's standout heavy acts.

Now entering a new chapter, Veilcaste has partnered with Louisville, Kentucky-based Third House Communications to support the release of their upcoming album, Hellward. The collaboration marks the band's most ambitious campaign to date as they continue expanding their reach while remaining true to the uncompromising sound that has defined them since their inception.

Whether commanding a stage with their thunderous live performance or constructing dense, emotionally charged studio recordings, Veilcaste continues to push forward with unwavering authenticity, proving that the heaviest music can also be among the most human.

Veilcaste Also announced a couple of shows for the release around the first weekend of September.

9/4/26 Indianapolis, In at Black Circle with Lexington based Crop, Cincinnati based Lordship and Indianapolis based Thorr-Axe

9/5/26 Cincinnatti, Oh with Lexington based Crop and Cincinnatti based Lordship

These shows are going to be absolute rippers!

Thanks to Veilcaste and Third House Communications we're excited to premiere the heavy as hell new single and video for CHAINS for the upcoming new album HELLWARD:

Veilcaste Lineup

Chris Cruz - Drums

Dustin Mendel - Vocals

T Garrett O’Sha - Guitar

John Rau - Guitar & Vocals

Gabe Whitcomb - Bass

Additional Instrumentation

Carl Byers - Keys on Altar of Ecstasy, 12 String & Feedback on Vore

Chris Cruz - Guitar Solo on Embedded

John Rau - Keys & 12 String on Anchored, Shaker on Hellward, Classical on I am the Guillotine

HELLWARD is available for pre-order now on CD, Digital Download, Tape and Vinyl which will be released on September 04th 2026 via Third House Communications.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Thanks to Tom at Third House Communications for all of the details.

BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE reveal music video 'Clutching at Straws' taken from new album "In Between Strides"

BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE reveal the music video 'Clutching at Straws' – and it is their very own sizzling song and not a cover of the MARILLION classic. This track has been selected as an advance single from the German shoegaze rockers' upcoming fourth album "In Between Strides", which is scheduled for release on September 18, 2026, via Magnetic Eye Records.

Pre-orders are available HERE

Watch the video for 'Clutching at Straws' here:

BEES MADE HONEY comment: "I wrote the main riffs for 'Clutching at Straws' on acoustic guitar while composing another of my own songs", frontman Simon Weinrich writes. "When we hit a creative slump, I simply suggested playing those riffs during a band rehearsal. Once effects were added, they immediately took on a different energy. Lyrically, this song revolves around a restless and exhausting journey that expresses an inner restlessness and sense of being driven. It's certainly a state of mind that we are all familiar with at times."

Credit - Filmed & produced by Felix Keltsch & Konrad Kobiela

Tracklist:

1. Departure
2. Respite
3. Clutching at Straws
4. Elisa
5. Return, Precipice

When German four-piece BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE began to find their bearings on where to go next from the success of their previous full-length, "Aion" (2023), the core idea for the fourth album, "In Between Strides", was to take a more melodic approach. All else, they would leave to the creative process and somewhat to chance.

Recording one song at a time without knowing what the next would sound like, the track 'Elisa' was the first step forward and became the binding link between the previous and new albums. 'Elisa' came into being as a jam captured on the last day of recording during the "Aion" sessions, which was later heavily condensed and augmented with added instrumentation to create more structure and depth.

BEES MADE HONEY recorded every other song on "In Between Strides" in various settings that were available to them at the time of creation: a cavernous cellar, a concert stage, an indoor balcony, a living room, their rehearsal space, even returning to the studio where their first album "Medicine" was tracked.

Through this spontaneous and shifting approach, BEES MADE HONEY began to move texturally and stylistically from ambient and drone toward shoegaze along with more acoustic elements. According to their original plan, "In Between Strides" stepped into more melodic territory, with each song representing a different aspect of the band's musical vocabulary.

Lyrically, "In Between Strides" portrays a journey of uncertain outcomes, a departure, and a search for something not yet defined. Although this mirrors the experience of BEES MADE HONEY in finding new creative paths and ways of expression, the lyrics paint a broader picture that is not limited to the German's personal experiences or life-circumstances.

BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE originate from the Swabian capital and German city of Stuttgart. All four members grew up together, eventually forming the band in 2014. Their musical template of ambient psychedelic doom was established with the debut album "Medicine" in 2017, and their sound has continued to evolve ever since.

With their sophomore full-length "Grandmother" (2019), their sonic scope expanded through lower tunings, densely layered effects, faster passages, and harsher vocals. The Swabians began performing live, both at home and abroad, in front of continuously growing audiences. This development physically manifested in the recording and release of "Harvestmen (live)" in 2022.

BEES MADE HONEY took a leap forward with third full-length "Aion", which was widely praised by audiences and critics alike. This album features spacious, dynamic compositions that move from drifting tranquility to raging power in a constant tidal movement of spaced-out guitars, pounding basslines, and dripping drum fills.

While "Aion" easily transcended BEES MADE HONEY's psychedelic doom label into something deeper and more resonant, "In Between Strides" roams faster and further.

With "In Between Strides", BEES MADE HONEY have turned rage into reflection by developing a more organic and spontaneous approach to their songs, opening up wide spaces and letting the melodies flow freely. This musical honey tastes simply delicious.

Line-up

Simon Weinrich – guitar, vocals, Rhodes piano
Marc Dreher – drums, vocals, Rhodes piano
Lucas Dreher – guitar
Christopher Popowitsch – bass

Guest musicians

Luis Deffner (JAMHED) – piano on 'Elisa'

Recorded by Ralv Milberg at Zentrum Zinsholz, Ostfildern (DE)
Mixed by Ralv Milberg & Simon Weinrich at Milberg Studios, Stuttgart (DE)
Mastered by Ralv Milberg at Milberg Studios, Stuttgart (DE)

Artwork & layout by Christopher Popowitsch

Links

https://beesmadehoneyintheveintree.com
www.facebook.com/beesmadehoneyintheveintree
www.instagram.com/beesmadehoneyintheveintree

Thanks to All Noir and Magnetic Eye Records for the details.

Heathen Tongues - Neurogenesis (EP Review)

Release Date: July 22nd 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Neurogenesis - Tracklist

1. Revelation (3:42)

2. Firefight (6:42)

Members

Devin Mendoza - Guitar

Shane Falkenhart - Drums

Review

Neurogeneisis is the debut EP from Progressive Sludge Metallers Heathen Tongues who add a Crust Punk attitude amongst the Grunge, Doom, Post-Metal and Stoner Metal surroundings which changes aggressive attitude throughout the short eleven minutes runtime of the EP. The band have the legendary talents of Brad Boatright on mastering duties and Matt Bayles on mixing duties who have perhaps both help to build and shape the modern day Sludge/Post-Metal scene over the last twenty five years.

This serves Heathen Tongues brilliantly well who forge close sonic alliances to the likes of Pelican, YOB, SLEEP and Red Fang. The EP is purely instrumental with both tracks of Revelation and Firefight having a wide assortment of Crust Punk and Post-Metal grooves with that biting Progressive Sludge Metal environment bringing surprising elements of Psych, Grunge and Stoner Rock into the foray. 

Each song has a great metallic narrative which allows this hugely talented two piece sound like a bigger band with more members than the core duo of Devin Mendoza (Guitar) and Shane Falkenhart (Drums). The gloomy use of the speech from the classic Charlie Chaplin film The Dictator gives a harsh and unsettling reality which comes mostly into focus on Firelight. 

Neurogenesis is one of the strongest debut EP’s I’ve heard in quite some time with Heathen Tongues having some great things to say and without the use of vocals makes it even more emotionally powerful. If you’re here for the grooves and bleak melodies then Heathen Tongues have you covered but only for eleven minutes but it does keep you wanting to hear more and that’ only a good thing.

Heathen Tongues will be releasing their debut album in February 2027 in which both of these tracks will appear and I can’t wait to hear the complete narrative of what they form. As these guys have real potential to release something special and definitely a band to really look out for next year.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Observers - The Emerald (Album Review)

Release Date: August 13th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Emerald - Tracklist

1.The Emerald 04:56

2.The Eye Tree 03:05 

3.Forest of Doom 05:57

4.Asterophora 03:07

5.The Word for Forest is World 01:42

6.Predestination 05:40

7.Boreal World 05:27

8.Voices Within 06:11

9.After Us 01:21

10.The Door (Outtake) 03:21

Members

Martin Kennedy - guitars, synths & soundscapes.

Chris Bohm - drums.

Rich Gray - Bass

Additional musicians: Joao Corceiro, Martin Arroyou, German Maldonado

Review

Instrumental Doom/Post-Metal collective Observers return with their second album The Emerald which continues the great work laid down on their acclaimed debut album The Age Of The Machine Entities. The record is an effortless blend of Doom, Post-Metal, Heavy Metal, Prog Metal, Ambient Metal and Stoner Metal for a journey that has complex cinematic quality throughout. Observers channel “Video Game” narrative for this record but allow the true Heavy Metal dynamics to do their thing with surreal moments of intense Post-Metal quality.

The whole sound aligns more closely to a grounded level compared to the COSMIC surroundings of their debut album. The music is more frantic and action packed with Observers delving into a frenzied style Prog Metal with an intense Heavy Metal presence emerging from the stunning opening tracks of The Emerald, The Eye Tree and Forest Of Doom. Sometimes the mood can be too flashy but it works for the overall story of the album.

The instrumental work is dominated by a great “DOOM & GLOOM” atmosphere with flashes of Ambient Metal allowing Observers to bring in other areas of the ROCK/METAL spectrum. Adding small pockets of Folk Rock and Post-Rock gives a more emotional sound especially within the haunting third track of Forest Of Doom that has elements of OPETH and Animal As Leaders transforming the Post-Metal energy quite suddenly.

The Emerald relies heavily on synths and dramatic soundscapes which expertly builds up the tension but also allows the record to breathe and grow naturally for the story to move onto its highly dramatic conclusion. Observers hit upon every corner of the Doom, Post-Rock and Post-Metal landscape throughout the album with gloomy passages having a deeply emotional core when moving the different time frames of Eighties Heavy Metal and modern day instrumental music.

Other standout tracks on the album to check out are: Asterophora, Predestination, Boreal World and Voices Within which contain the heaviest, gloomiest and epic guitar shredding moments on the entire record.  

Observers have released another standout collection of tracks that does something wholly original and superbly cinematic with the Instrumental Doom Metal scene. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the details.

The Emerald is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl.

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