Matt C. White - A Cosmic Year (Album Review)

Release Date: August 22nd 2025. Record Label: White Locust Records. Formats: DD

A Cosmic Year - Tracklisting

1.The Descent 02:46

2.Fire Rider I: Collision 06:02

3.Blood Divine 04:11

4.Vicious Cycle 04:19

5.Amalgamate 01:19

6.I Gotta Get Out 03:46

7.As You Whir 01:03

8.The Way Down 04:05

9.Smoke Still Casts a Shadow 02:07

10.Fire Rider II: Rebirth 06:27

Members

Matt C. White

Review

A Cosmic Year is the latest album from multi-instrumentalist Matt C. White who I’ve featured here a few times now. Matt plays an outstanding style of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal where anything goes especially once Matt fully hits his creative peak form throughout the album.

There are moments of Psych, Stoner, Grunge, Doom, Sludge, Prog and Space Rock vibes with Matt inspired by the likes of Mastodon, The Mars Volta, HUM and Soundgarden. The album has an eerie 1970’s Hard Rock attitude but works considerably better when Matt embraces modern day grooves which gives it quite a contemporary and alternative feel.

The instrumental work is simply wonderful to hear with A Cosmic Year never being stifled by the rules of the different genres that Matt works steadily on the album. There is some Funk Rock interplay being heard at different stages of the record which allows Matt to tap into the heavier melodies when the opportunity arises especially on tracks such as Fire Rider !: Collision, Blood Divine,  I Gotta Get Out, The Way Down and the standout track of Fire Rider II: Rebirth.

A Cosmic Year does have a more free-flowing and seedier style of Psych Rock and Space Rock compared to similar records of this type. Matt has a chameleon-like personality here which is thanks to the multiple different vocal styles and storytelling aspects that he puts to great use from start to finish. The lyrics are quite HIP in places but offers a great Hard Rock/Stoner Rock perspective along the way which can be quite grounded despite the Space Rock atmosphere that Matt projects through is intelligent of different musical instruments. 

With a heavy reliance on Electronica sounds, glitches and Psychedelic beats, this record has a unique vibe to make it stand out from the crowd with some highly original tracks that you can easily lose yourself in. Sometimes it’s not the most straightforward album to listen to but Matt demonstrates a wealth of different Rock/Metal passages which are never boring and downright original in places. 

Overall, A Cosmic Year is a highly rewarding and superbly entertaining record with Matt C. White proving why he could be considered one of the most original “solo” musicians within the Stoner Rock scene today.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

www.mattcwhite.com
www.Instagram.com/Matt_C_White

https://open.spotify.com/artist/mattcwhite

https://mattcwhite.bandcamp.com/

BASK - The Turning (Album Review)

Release Date: August 22nd 2025. Record Label: Season Of Mist Records. Formats: CD.DD/Vinyl

The Turning - Tracklisting

1.Chasm

2.In the Heat of the Dying Sun

3.The Traveler 

4.The Cloth

5.Dig My Heels 

6.Unwound

7.Long Lost Light 

8.The Turning

Members

Recording Line-Up:

-Scott Middleton

-Jesse Van Note

-Ray Worth

-Zeb Wright

-Jed Willis

Guest Musicians:

-Clay White - trumpet

-Franklin Keel - cello

-Alex Taub - piano, Hammond b3

Review

The Turning is the eagerly awaited fourth album from Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers BASK which sees the band return after a six year absence with new material. This has been well worth the wait with BASK generating their own style of Progressive leaning Stoner Rock sound that sees their trademark use of Country, Americana, Space Rock and Blues Rock based harmonies being given a heavier Sludge Rock/Metal makeover influenced by the likes of MASTODON and BARONESS.

There’s also a chilling sense of Post-Doom and Post-Metal melodies that develops within the more abrasive and violent sounds that sees BASK venture out for the very first time in some places. Though, the classic early Americana themes that made BASK such a force to be reckoned with are never too far behind. Throw in a subtle mix of Prog Rock, Folk Rock and Cosmic Rock grooves which allows The Turning to be very hard to categorize and define at times.

This is also one of the albums and possibly BASK’s greatest strengths as you’re not sure what to expect with each passing song. Did you ever wonder what Heavy Spaced Out Doom would sound like when merged with Country, Southern Rock and Americana passages. Well, the answer is perfectly captured here on superbly constructed and brilliantly played tracks such as In The Heat Of The Dying Sun, The Traveler, Dig My Heels and Unwound being some of the best material that BASK have written to date.

Their music is constantly evolving but still showing a thrilling and adventurous creative attitude with BASK not afraid to add even more elements of music such as Post-Rock, Ambient Melodies and Shoegaze which is brought to life with their epic use of different instruments throughout the album. The record can be quite ROOTS based with the “TWANGY” instrumental movements but it’s kept within the areas of Sludge/Stoner Metal with BASK never afraid to experiment at the most crucial moment which transfers this record into MONOLITHIC and INTERDIMENSIONAL SPACE GOAT territory. 

With a range of diverse influences such as Mastodon, Baroness, Elder, Hawkwind, All Them Witches and King Buffalo with BASK even forging and creating their unique style of Heavy Psychedelic music of the highest order. What also makes them stand out is how the band brings a classic EVERYMAN level of storytelling into their cinematic adventure. The lyrics are quite hopeful and brilliantly insightful even when the music takes a daring and apocalyptic turn.

The Turning is an emotionally charged record of the highest order with BASK firmly establishing themselves as one of the most unique and original voices within the modern day Psych Stoner Rock/Metal scene. This is a record of REAL QUALITY and can easily be considered one of the best Psychedelic Rock albums of the year.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Season Of Mist for the promo.

The Turning is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Season Of Mist.

Links

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bask/209266263
Bandcamp: https://basknc.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/basknc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baskband/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebandbask

SageNESS - Inner Empires (Album Review)

Release Date: August 01st 2025. Record Label: Vista Lagarto Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Inner Empires - Tracklisting

1.Lokomotive 09:32

2.Olimpo 10:12

3.Hazy Dawn 06:39

4.Espejismo 06:32

5.Solve et Coagula 08:45

Members

David: Guitar.

Aitor : Bass.

Fran : Drums

Review

Inner Empires is the fourth full length album from Instrumental Psych/Space/Stoner Rockers SageNESS who continue with their JAM based approach exploring different sonic and cosmic based territories which they’ve been perfecting way back with their acclaimed debut album back in 2017. SageNESS offer a more daring, heavier and gloomier sound with the band tou

ching upon areas of Sludge Rock and Post-Metal on this record. 

SageNESS overall sound is way more daring and experimental that I originally anticipated compared to their previous records with the band drawing upon similar soundscapes used by the likes of PELICAN, RUSSIAN CIRCLES and MONO but keeping within their own dramatic style of creative sense. The music has quite an epic approach with SageNESS using different kinds of Psychedelic loops and freakish COSMIC sounds which builds upto exciting levels of heaviness throughout though you’re given a crash course right away within the superb opening track Lokomotive.

The record draws mostly upon its Space Rock and Progressive Rock themes to outline an excellent creative narrative which has some subdued PINK FLOYD melodies on the more reflective parts of the album which appear on tracks such as Olimpo, Hazy Dawn and Solve et Coagula. The level of musicianship being performed here by David (Guitar), Aitor (Bass) and Fran (Drums) is nothing short of brilliance with SageNESS playing a highly proficient and technical style of Instrumental Rock/Metal that can only be described as “INCREDIBLE” on the more challenging parts of the record.

I admire how SageNESS keeps everything grounded despite the fantastical and science fiction based journey the record takes the listener upon. There’s also the excellent use of Drone, Space Rock, Ambient sounds, feedback loops and Amplifier Distorted passages that appear constantly but only at a minimal level which builds into something more daring on the heavier instrumental soundscapes.

Inner Empires is a superbly constructed record boosted by stunning production values, complex musical melodies and a fully realised storyline that will instantly captivate anyone who listens to this record. The record feels like a grand musical adventure into the far reaches of Space Rock were the listener can easily lose themselves in with the SageNESS being your constant companion into a greater world of neverending musical possibilities.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Sageness for the promo.

Inner Empires is available to buy now on CD, Digital Download and Vinyl from Vista Lagarto Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Ever Age - Ever Age (Album Review)

Release Date: August 01st 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD

Ever Age - Tracklisting

1.Coldera 03:31

2.Psychlone 03:39

3.The Great Beyond 05:38

4.Black Suede 03:06

5.Radiant Figure 04:54

6.RAMP 05:23

7.Everlanche 08:13

8.Memory Carve 00:54

9.Anytime 08:02

Members

Neil Snyder - Drums

Eli Saltzberg - Bass

Aiden Snyder - Guitar & Vox

Review

Ever Age's debut album is a heavy mix of Psych Rock, Blues Rock, Doom Rock and Stoner Rock where the band adds an ice cold blast of Mountain / Appalachian melodies throughout. The sound is always heavy with a refreshing Classic Rock approach which allows the record to be quite soulful with the heavy amount of Blues grooves that Ever Age lay down on the early stages of the record. 

There’s quite a heavy BASS HEAVY attitude being played by Eli Saltzberg’s dynamic and powerful presence which allows Neil Snyder (Drums) and Aiden Snyder (Guitar / Vocals) to perform a sublime Stoner Rock based sound which brings a refreshing Seventies RAWK & ROLL vibe on tracks such as Coldera and Psyclone.

The record becomes quite heavy with Ever Age frequently moving into DOOMIER pastures from the exquisite third track The Great Beyond with its subtle Blues Rock/Proto-Doom swagger which sees a slight variance of Sludge Rock appearing. Though, Ever Age keeps everything grounded with perhaps the first standout track of the album developing right here. 

The band marches fully into their POWER TRIO stance with Ever Age being influenced by the bands of the Sixties and Seventies era of Hard Rock. If you’re a fan of ALL THEM WITCHES then you’ll be right at home here as Ever Era taps into that superb aura of music which always feels fully fleshed out with hard-hitting melodies and supreme levels of intricate storytelling.

Other standout tracks to check out include: Black Suede, Radiant Figure, RAMP, Everlanche and Anytime. There’s an unexpected switchover to Prog Rock passages on the majority of tracks with Ever Age keeping in with their Blues Rock / Mountain Rock ideals whilst still playing superb levels of straight out Heavy Rock which results in some top-notch instrumental solos being delivered.

Ever Age is a winning combination of great melodies, fantastic vocals and excellent lyrics that allows Ever Age to release quite an original record that has a haunting emotional quality to it all.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Liquid Pennies - Fore (Album Review)

Release Date: July 25th 2025. Record Label: Threat Collection Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Fore - Tracklisting

1.Tapered Scape 04:17

2.Ready Tide 03:19

3.Echolalia 11:15

4.Sight Skewer 04:56

5.Elliptic Triptych 06:56

6.Further Ennui 02:58

7.The Bone 05:45

8.Fore 01:38

Members

Chas Binns - Guitars, Vocals, Synthesizers, Piano, Mellotron, Samples, Drum Machine Sequencing, Shaker, Tape Manipulation, and Engineering

Pierson Whicker - Drums and Sample Pads

Tysonious Mink - Bass, Synthesizer on Sight Skewer/Further Ennui, and Engineering

Guest Musicians

Zoë Turtle - Vocals and Violin on The Bone

Melissa Grady - Cello on The Bone

Gina Castellano - Viola on The Bone

Matt Flynn - Flute on Ready Tide

Review

Fore is the latest album from Psych/Shoegaze/Doom/Stoner Rockers Liquid Pennies who are quite hard to categorize on this album. As they include elements of KrautRock, Post-Punk, Grunge, Electronica, Indie and Folk Rock for a mysterious and highly experimental record. Imagine The Mars Volta jamming with the likes of Baroness, Mastodon, IDLES and Joy Division which may make Fore a hard record to resonate with some parts of the Hard Rock community.

The record is absolutely stunning with different musical momentums being played at any one time with a deep reliance on Electronica, Indie and Dance Rock beats. Though, Liquid Pennies still manage to inject a Doom/Stoner Rock energy within the whole cascade of Progressive themes holding everything together. There’s also a wealth of different musical instruments being played and multiple guest musicians appearing on the record which gives Fore quite a meditative and transcendental quality especially within the sullen Post-Rock moments though Liquid Pennies will catch people off guard when the heavy Doomed Out sounds appear merging with that trippy Electronica score.

The opening two tracks of Tapered Scape and Ready Tide sets the scene with a lysergic energy being projected throughout the multiple different creative feeds and musical styles that Liquid Pennies play with vivid energy. Perhaps closely aligned to PInk Floyd and The Mars Volta for certain musical passages. The sound is highly original and quite exclusive thanks to the band’s own superb making. There are small amounts of aggressive Hard Rock bursting through the seams but the band keep those moments at bay for good reasons which we’ll experience with the next track Echolalia which is the standout track on the album.

Third track Echolalia is where Liquid Pennies “LET THE INMATES TAKE OVER THE ASYLUM” with plentiful of frenzied Doom/Stoner Rock instrumental passages running amok to the beautiful sounds the band created within the opening two tracks. This time round the ELECTRONICA sound is replaced by a thunderous Psychedelic and Spaced Out environment with a subtle DOOM-POP flow. The instrumental work is MONUMENTAL in places with a frenzied and wide assortment of different grooves being played in every direction. 

The next two tracks of SIght Skewer and Elliptic Triptych keep up with the glitchy and trippy methods of Electronica and Stoner Rock that have a certain flair of Baroness and Talking Heads to it all. The sound is considered Pop, Folk, Psych and Sludge Rock that sees Liquid Pennies once again creating truly original music of their own making that has a certain “STADIUM ROCK” flair running throughout. With hazy Dance Rock beats and Post-Rock grooves emerging from the ice-cold Electro beats of Elliptic Triptych with aggressive vocals that allows the music to be more experimental once more.

The final three tracks of the record - Further Ennui, The Bone and Fore - sees Liquid Pennies undergo a musical transformation once again with some edgy Drone/Post-Rock beats being played within Further Ennui which is also quite therapeutic at the same time. The Bone and Fore sees a left-field creative energy being delivered with some fantastic instrumental guest appearances from Zoë Turtle (Vocals and Violin) ,Melissa Grady (Cello) and Gina Castellano (Viola) on the other standout track The Bone. 

Fore is one of the most refreshing, highly original and downright strange Rock albums I’ve had the pleasure to listen to this year. Liquid Pennies feels like they’re rewriting the rules of Stoner Rock music with Fore which may propel them to bigger and greater things within the Hard Rock scene.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Liquid Pennies for the promo.

Fore is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl from Threat Collection Records and from the band's website.

Links

Linktree | BandCamp

Matt C. White - Fire Rider Part 1 (Single Review)

Release Date: July 18th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Fire Rider Pt. 1 - Tracklisting

Fire Rider I: Collision

Blood Divine

Vicious Cycle

The Way Down

Members

Matt C. White - Everything

Review

Fire Rider Pt. 1 is the new single from multi-instrumentalist and all round great musician Matt C. White from his upcoming new album A Cosmic Year. Matt blends Psych, Funk, Doom and Stoner Rock through a Spaced Out Musical Blender. The music is most definitely within the funkier side of life especially within the gloriously over the top title track Fire Rider I: Collision.

There are echoes of QOTSA, Brant Bjork, FU MANCHU and Hawkwind within this slightly surreal journey with Matt exploring different levels of freaky instrumental passages. The vocals are quite varied with Matt performing different areas of Hard Rock on this track which can be quite theatrical in places but it’s quite a refreshing track especially when the song moves aggressively into Doom Metal pastures.

The next two tracks of Blood Divine and Vicious Cycle (which have both been released as singles earlier this year) keeps up with the Funk Rock angle with instances of Blues Rock appearing whilst developing a confident style of Doom Rock which can be quite "COMMERCIAL ROCK” orientated but still keeping with the underground dynamics. The Psych Rock and Space Rock melodies transform into full blown Stoner Rock surroundings when Vicious Cycle makes a barnstorming appearance with screeching guitars and multi-layered sound effects.

The final track of The Way Down was also released earlier this year but it’s good to see it included again and allows Matt to develop into heavier areas of Prog Rock/Metal with echoes of The Mars Volta, Soundgarden and Mastodon being played for brief moments. 

Fire Rider Pt. 1 is a gloriously hip and psychedelic journey into the unknown which should allow Matt’s upcoming album A Cosmic Year to find a loyal and dedicated following within the underground scene. Yeah, I’m looking forward to that album as it seriously grabbed my attention with Matt’s highly original creative vision being there for everyone to fully witness.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

www.mattcwhite.com
www.Instagram.com/Matt_C_White

https://open.spotify.com/artist/mattcwhite

https://mattcwhite.bandcamp.com/

Exclusive Album Premiere of Psych Stoner Rockers ATOM JUICE Brilliant Self Titled New Album

Formed by ex-Weedpecker, Makiwara and Clockmaid members, the quintet crafts a warm multi-dimensional sound that heartily takes its cue from Pink Floyd, The Allman Brothers Band, The Beatles, Pond or Nolan Potter’s Nightmare Band. Recorded entirely in their rehearsal space, "Atom Juice" forms an aural rainbow of lush guitar layers, dreamy and alluring vocal harmonies and spacey effects, all exquisitely melding into magical landscapes and otherworldly daydreams that turn into reality as soon as you hit play. Dive in...

Recorded entirely in their rehearsal space, the album features layered guitars, rich vocal harmonies, and spacey effects — all crafted with great attention to detail.

“We poured everything we had into this record over the years it took to create it. We hope you enjoy the listen.”

We're excited to premiere the new album in full below thanks to the great folks over at Purple Sage PR and Heavy Psych Sounds.

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Atom Juice is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp