Satánico Pandemonium - Espectrofilia EP (EP Review)

Release Date: July 09th 2021. Record Label: LSDR Records. Format: DD

Espectrofilia EP - Tracklisting

1.El que reside dentro 09:01

2.Parábola del juez perverso 07:16

3.Asistolia 01:02

4.Espectrofilia 08:59

5.Panteonera 08:21

6.La muerte del Sol 07:59

Members

Sergio - Guitar / FX

Miguel - Guitar

Cosmo - Drums / Vocals

Daniel - Bass / Vocals

Review

Mexican Doom/Stoner Metallers Satánico Pandemonium return with their new release - Espectrofilia EP. And my only gripe with this release is that it’s a full length album. Not an EP. This thing runs for 42 minutes or so. If these guys do release a full length album then I’ll be interested to know what length that bad-boy will be.

Anyway, Satánico Pandemonium belongs to the “LOW & SLOW” group of Doom/Stoner Metal bands. With the band playing slowly played and down-tuned Doom/Stoner Metal riffs with the ever popular “Amplifier Distortion” style of rock that fits the genre(s) of music the band use to get their heavy distorted message across.

Electric Wizard is a big influence with this band and you can hear that from the excellent opening song - El que reside dentro - playing a classic Wizard style groove to maximum potential and volume. Throw in an almost Punk-Rock production vibe and Satánico Pandemonium play heavy atmospheric Doom Metal steeped in modern Stoner Metal distortion. The vocals are primarily sung in Spanish but you can understand what the song is about and that’s down to the great music included here.

Second song - Parábola del juez perverso - Satánico Pandemonium - is more bombastic with the vocals being over the top in all the right places. The distorted and doomed out guitars are matched along by Cosmo and Dainel on Bass and Drums respectively. The psychedelic guitars make this song way out there for a Doom Metal song but it has a gloomy Black Sabbath approach that makes it even more interesting. The “LOW & SLOW” methodology allows the band to branch out into almost Cosmic/Space Rock territory but the band pull feeling back and return to their primal, distorted and drone based attitude whilst still playing some epic guitar riffs along the way.

Third track - Asistolia - is a 60 second instrumental song not offering much and is perhaps classed as filler to make you wait for the next exciting chapters of the EP.

The 2nd part of the EP is where Satánico Pandemonium come into their own with the final 3 songs offering the gloomiest and heaviest sounds on the EP especially with Espectrofilia and La muerte del Sol. Satánico Pandemonium uses different ideas and themes to keep everything fresh and exciting. It has the usual sights and sounds from Electric Wizard, Black Sabbath and SLEEP but with that Punk Rock mentality I mentioned earlier in the review. Distortion is key here and Espectrofilia EP ends on a depressing and gloomy high.

Espectrofilia EP showcases another wonderful band to come from the Hard Rock/Metal scene and why Mexican bands  seem to find an appreciative audience within the global Doom/Stoner Metal community. 

Satánico Pandemonium have released another great record to their discography. If you’re a fan of the “Low & Slow” movement theni this is the perfect place to be.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

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Headless Kross Announce Krozmik Artefact: Live at Kozfest 2019 And Brief Review

Release date: June 04th 2021. Label: Self Released. Format: Cassette/DD

Krozmik Artefact: Live at Kozfest 2019 - Tracklisting

Rural Juror

Signed In Blood

Does Not Equal Time

One Hundred And Forty Four Mirrors

Crater Of Needles

The Lowdown

Veteran Scottish psych-doomsters HEADLESS KROSS will release their new live album “Krozmik Artefact: Live at Kozfest 2019” on Friday the 4th of June 2021 via their Bandcamp page. As well as the digital release there will be a very limited run of 39 cassettes with screen-printed covers. 25 copies will be available on the band’s Bandcamp page on the day of release.

Kozfest 2019 was held in Devon, England on the 27th -29th of July and also featured The Heads, Electric Moon, Crazyhead and Wild Rocket amongst many others. The album includes the band’s full 55 minute set from the Saturday as well as their introduction from legendary Kozfest compere Kozmik Ken, who sadly passed away last year. 

On the subject of the album the band’s guitarist and recording engineer Tommy Duffin said “I found the multitrack of this recording last month while looking for something else. I had completely forgot about it but when I listened, I realised it was a great live document of the band, so I started mixing. I think this is the best recorded example so far of the Headless Kross live experience so far.

Brief Review

Well this is a very cool surprise from HEADLESS KROSS. A new live album which shows the band at their very best featuring 5 songs from their last 3 albums. 

The band show their worth to the UK Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal scene with this live release with an almost Psychedelic and Surreal Journey with Headless Kross on blistering form on the epic 22 minute opening track - Rural Juror - which is taken from their 2015 acclaimed album - Volumes. The song sets up everything perfectly with a not so subtle Doom Atmosphere which reminds myself of familiar LIVE experiences such as YOB, CONAN and UFOMAMMUT. 

Headless Kross move onto other HEAVY SLABS of DOOMEDELIC based Sludge/Stoner Riffage and the violent vocals is just the "icing on the cake" for myself. Headless Kross pull no punches and offer no apologies on songs such as: Signed In Blood and One Hundred And Forty Four Mirrors.

The band did release a Live At Desertfest album back in August 2019 and that was a great Live Album itself but I have to say Krozmik Artefact: Live at Kozfest 2019 is a much better release. It has a more eerie and psychedelic vibe that allows the band to thrive on the LIVE arena.

if you're a fan of Headless Kross then Krozmik Artefact: Live at Kozfest 2019 is a record you need to own and perhaps maybe the perfect introduction for folks who haven't heard the band before.

Awesome stuff...

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Desert Storm - OMENS (Album Review)

Release date: May 01^st 2020. Label: APF Records Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Omens – Tracklisting

1.Omens 01:49

2.Black Bile 05:09

3.Vengeful Gods 05:11

4.Pain, Grief and Suffering 06:36

5.The Path of Most Resistance 06:16

6.The Machine 05:51

7.Lockjaw 03:13

8.Rebirth 05:14

Members

Matthew Ryan - Vocals

Ryan Cole - Guitar

Chris White - Guitar / Bass / Keyboards / Backing Vocals

Elliot Cole - Drums

Chris Benoist - Bass

Review

Omens is the 5^th album from UK Sludge Metal Heavyweights Desert Storm and sees the band continue with the themes heard on 2018’s Sentinels. The album is quite progressive and the band channel their inner demons with this album. As it’s perhaps their bleakest work to date and I said that in my review about their last album but that still holds true here with Desert Storm channelling some top-notch NOLA Sludge Violent energy throughout this album.

The album opens with OMENS and it’s a bleak gloomy monologue from lead vocalist Matthew which sets the scene for a more atmospheric offering from the band.

Second song – Black Bile – is where the album really starts with a heavy combination of NOLA Sludge Grooves and Post-Doom based vibes that have an eerie Psychedelic feel to them. Desert Storm flirt between Ambient Post-Doom riffs and Heavier Sludge/Stoner sounds with expert timing and the song becomes more grounded as a result. The instrumental work is top-notch which is what you would expect from everyone concerned within the band.

Third song – Vengeful Gods – has a more direct approach with the band playing a more “Punk” based approach to their music and with Matthew threatening heavy vocals, the song plays at an addictive slow pace that opens the album to heavier moments of Doom/Sludge Metal. The lyrics I wasn’t entirely convinced with this on song but the music and Matthew vocals still make this one of the of standout songs on the album.

Desert Storm carry on the same trippy and progressive bleak sounds heard on the opening 3 songs for the remainder of the album with the band still finding the time to add new elements to their overall sound that we haven’t heard from the band before.

Omens fully hits it’s creative stride on the later stages with songs such as The Machine and Rebirth having the most intense and aggressive sounds on the record. 

Maybe, Desert Storm have become more pissed off at world since their last album but this allows the band to create bleak heavy Sludge Riffs to impress their dedicated fan-base with. And that’s all you can ask from a Desert Storm album. Omens is brilliantly entertaining from start to finish with a thrilling apocalyptic theme allowing Desert Storm to become one of the best and heaviest acts the UK Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal scene has to offer at the moment.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. Omens is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via APF Records.

Links:

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Exclusive Song Premiere of Shadow Limb New Song - CRY OFF

Progressive Doom Metallers Shadow Limb will be releasing their new album Burn Scar on October 11th via Seeing Red Records.

We are premiering a new song - CRY OFF - from the album which you can hear below.

Links

Facebook | Bandcamp

Thanks to Thomas at Seeing Red Records and Rob Hammer for all of the info.

Saint Karloff - Interstellar Voodoo (Album Review)

Release date: October 04th 2019. Label: Vinyl (Majestic Mountain Records), CD (Ozium Records), Tape (Stoner Witch Records). Format: CD/DD/Vinyl/Cassette Tape

Interstellar Voodoo – Tracklisting
Interstellar Voodoo

Members
Mads Melvold: Guitar / Vocals

Ole Sletner: Bass
Adam Suleiman: Drums

Review

Greetings All,

Norway’s Saint Karloff stormed onto the scene with one of 2018’s best records. All Heed the Black God was a thunderous stoned out doom psych marvel. These prolific fellows followed that was a dazzling split ep with the always impressive Devils Witches. Now, hot on the heels of that release the band drops their stunning sophomore lp. The epic Interstellar Voodoo is an impressive one track/40+ minute doom/fuzz opus. A downright fuzzed out, riff laden rock opera that shares a kindred spirit with another single track stoner rock masterpiece, Sleep’s Dopesmoker. I think it virtually impossible to not at least somewhat compare the two records. Sure, it’s heavy ass stoner rock, so there are some obvious similarities. However, Saint Karloff have forged their own patch and put their own unique stamp on this take.

To be honest, there is some difficulty in reviewing a one track album. For obvious reasons the vinyl and cassette are going to be broken into parts 1 and 2 with each part clocking in around 20 minutes, give or take. However, I would say the record plays out in what I would call movements. I’m no music major, but for the sake of my explanation, that is how I am going to roll with it.

The first movement opens with thunderous riffage that kicks into a tight, sweet groove that runs until around the six and half minute mark before some high octane ZZ Top inspired rocking kicks for a couple of minutes and then changes gears into a heavy stomp of a movement that rocks rather righteously before phasing out and slowing down around the 12 minute mark. Some slight guitar noodling leads into a bassline that launches the band into the next explosive, groove heavy movement. It is a bass driven number reminiscent of Graveyard or Witchcraft with a catchy hook and a rocking outro that by all accounts closes out the first part of the record around the 20 minute mark.

The band brings the heavy in the second half. A massive riff, monstrous bassline, and louder than god drums open the next movement that breaks down into guitar solos and crashing cymbals before giving way to the heavy ass homage to some “Sweet Young Maiden” that is a movement that is chock full of riffage and bass that doesn’t relent. The band then moves into a jazz inflected low end groove around the 26 minute mark that brings in some righteous sounding hammond organ work over the next few minutes before morphing into the dark the dark and monstrous final movement with a familiar riff/groove and some heavy strained vocals before coming to a close with some phased out, drum filled grooviness. Interstellar Voodoo does not relent, but in the best way possible.

Saint Karloff aren’t necessarily reinventing the wheel, but the are blazing their own path and setting the bar extremely high in execution and creativity. The trio are becoming the new masters of fuzzed out riffs, just as fuzz basslines, monstrous drums and lo fi vocals. If you dig stoner rock, doom, psych, blues and the almighty riff and you somehow are not yet familiar with Saint Karloff, then you need to get your head in the game. Seriously. Interstellar Voodoo is some serious shit and a definite album of the year contender. You have no choice, dig on this!

- Todd S - Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou

Words by Todd Stealey

Thanks to Richard at Sheltered Life PR for the promo. 

Interstellar Voodoo will be available to buy from October 04th 2019 via the following labels and formats - Vinyl (Majestic Mountain Records), CD (Ozium Records), Tape (Stoner Witch Records)

Links

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Serial Hawk - Static Apnea (Album Review)

Release date: August 23rd 2019. Label: Self Released. Format: DD/Vinyl

Static Apnea – Tracklisting

1.Resting Waters

2.Detach

3.Depths and Passages 06:25

4.Surrender

5.Summon

6.Diminished Return

Members

Will Bassin

Adam Holbrook

Sean Bulkley

Review

Static Apnea is the 3^rd album from Hypnotic Doom Riffsters Serial Hawk and I’ve been a fan of this band ever since I reviewed their 2012 debut release Buried In The Gray back in the day. The band received critical acclaim for their 2015 release Searching For The Light and it’s good to have the guys back today after a 4 year absence.

Static Apena sees Serial Hawk drift towards a more Sludge/Post-Metal sound with their familiar and haunting Progressive Doom Metal grooves being added for extra weight and heaviness throughout this album. Serial Hawk draw influence from bands such as YOB, Neurosis, Pelican and Cult of Luna on this album for a more varied style of music.

Opening song – Resting Waters – has a deep and troubling aquatic vibe to it especially where the music changes direction with different layers of heaviness throughout the songs 10 minute plus runtime. The progressive guitar sounds allows Serial Hawk to play music at their own pace and on their own terms. A cool mix of Doom, Sludge, Psych and Post-Metal combining for heavy atmospheric grooves from the start.

Second song – Detach – has a more open ended Doom based sound with a Tool-esque influence especially on the lyrics and vocals. Everything else is Serial Hawk. It’s good to hear a more emotionally distant Stoner Metal sound starting to appear and make waves amongst the standard Doom/Sludge Metal vibes.

Third song – Depths and Passages – is perhaps the angriest song on the album with intense vocals from Will leading the way. The music has a reflective Post-Rock/Post-Metal feel with a more aggressive direction once the sound builds up to a more Psychedelic Doom/Sludge rhythm. The overall sound is truly captivating and reminds you of YOB in places.

Fourth song – Surrender – starts quietly with a lovely sounding Ambient driven Post-Rock score. The song is quite peaceful and remorseful with the slowly played music. A different style that Serial Hawk play superbly well.

The final two songs – Summon and Diminished Return both allow Serial Hawk to return to their heavier Doom/Sludge/Post-Metal world and where they explore a more emotionally distant part of the album. Expect more sonic experimentation on these two songs with elements of Drone Metal leading the way.

Serial Hawk feel like they’ve reinvented themselves with this album and it shows throughout the whole album. As the whole feel and flow of the album is quite different and more complex compared against the band’s previous albums.

Static Apnea could be defining moment for Serial Hawk’s career. As it’s the type of album that could launch them onto bigger and better things. This is a wonderful and emotionally driven album that’s full of rich progressive sounds and ideas that leave you wanting more.

Overall, Static Apnea is a classic sounding album in every sense of the word.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

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Yarnspinner - A Massive Head Of Steam (Album Review)

Release date: August 16^th 019. Label: Self Released. Format: DD – Physical Releases coming later.

For The Masses – Tracklisting

1.The Stag of Lee's Valley 02:40

2.Hair of the Tooth 04:48

3.Drunk Cosmonaut 03:33

4.Night Witch 09:52

5.Respect the Whakamanas 01:41

6.The Great Indulgence 07:36

7.A Massive Head of Steam 14:01

Members

Thomas Brand - Vocals

Nick Smith - Guitars, Vocals

Josh Day - Guitars, Vocals

Brigitt White - Bass

Tim Stewart - Drums

Review

A Massive Head Of Steam is the debut album from New Zealand Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metallers – Yarnspinner – and it’s gloriously heavy and rough as hell album that doesn’t shy away from it’s DIY rock/metal roots for a thrilling and direct modern sound.

The album opens with The Stag Of Lee’s Valley and it’s a mix of Sludge, Doom, Stoner Metal and a healthy dose of Punk Rock holding everything together. The snarling vocals of Thomas feels he’s been picked out of a Punk Rock band as he carries a rough and ready demeanour to his style of vocals and it works like a charm. The heavy riffs take time to become settled and more confident. Once they do Yarnspinner create one hell of a racket that sees the band play some epic sounding Doom/Sludge/Stoner based sounds.

Second song – Hair Of The Tooth – is a more gloomy affair with the band playing a more Doom based sound with elements of Sludge/Stoner Metal creeping in here and there. The overall sound of the album is quite lo-fi but is handled surprisingly well. The lyrics aren’t the strongest and quite basic in parts but it’s the overall package that Yarnspinner offer on this song that makes it an uncompromising listen.

Third song – Drunk Cosmonaut – feels influenced by WEEDEATER and New Zealand Heavyweights – BEASTWARS. So if you like your music with a WEEDIAN influence but with a more cosmic sound then this song will impress you the most. The riffs are HEAVY AS FUCK and Yarnspinner make no apologies for this and offer one of the most exciting songs on the album.

Fourth song – Night Witch – sees the band change direction for the album as they venture into the realm of Of Progressive Rock/Metal with this almost 10 minute epic. This is the first of 3 songs on the album where Yarnspinner offer the listener a more progressive listen with the band impressing with their own style of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal but with a more theatrical edge. The lyrics and vocals are both on point here and show you that the band are a more exciting prospect writing and playing these epic songs.

Fifth song – Respect the Whakamanas – sees the band return to their fast-paced Punk driven Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal sound with the band playing a more primal style of music. It’s all over and done with in under two minutes and it’s breathlessly entertaining.

The final two songs – The Great Indulgence and A Massive Head Of Steam – sees the band offer 22 minutes of music with the final song lasting over 14 minutes by itself. The band flex their creative talents on both of these songs and perhaps offer the most exciting parts of the album. However, it can be frustrating in places. As the band play many different styles of music on this part of the album and it can be hard to keep up at times. 

Overall, A Massive Head Of Steam does exactly what it needs to do and that’s to entertain and to pummel the listener into submission with heavy sounding riffs from the start.

If you’re a fan of Weedeater, Bongzilla, CONAN and BEASTWARS then this is the perfect place to be.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

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Slomatics - Canyons (Album Review)

Release date: June 14th 2019. Label: Black Bow Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Canyons – Tracklisting

1. Gears Of Despair

2. Cosmic Guilt

3. Seven Echoes

4. Telemachus My Son

5. Beyond The Canopy

6. Arms Of The Sun

7. Mind Fortresses On Theia

8. Organic Caverns II

Members

David Majury (guitars)

Chris Couzens (guitars)

Marty Harvey (drums / vocals)

Review

Slomatics new album Canyons sees the band with a new adventurous, progressive and heavier sound. After completing a trilogy of similar themed albums with A Hocht, Estron and Future Echo Returns. Canyons allow Slomatics to re-invent themselves with a different style of music. Though the music played on Canyons does allow the band to play their classic sounding and trademark FUZZ Drenched Heavy Doomed Out Sounds.

Opening song – Gears Of De itspair – starts rather quietly until a heavy pounding sound soon explodes into a large Psychedelic and Spaced Out riff. Marty’s vocals are vastly different compared to previous Slomatics albums. As Marty’s vocals feel more powerful and restrained at the same time. The song moves at a delicate slow pace but the overall sound and atmosphere of the album is HUGE with the trippy and psychedelic vibes bringing a more nuanced Doom Metal approach to the album.

Second song – Cosmic Guilt – is classic sounding Slomatics through and through whilst offering a hint of their new progressive Doomed Out sound that allows the band to add strands of Ambient Rock/Metal towards the end of the song. Marty, Chris and David demonstrate why they’re highly thought of within the Doom Metal community as they all put in stellar musical performances on this track.

Third song – Seven Echoes – is an instrumental song and Slomatics don’t let the short running time get in their way as they play a heavy and thunderous style of Doom/Stoner Metal with elements of Psych Rock and Space Rock holding everything together.

Fourth song – Telemachus My Son – is my favourite song on the album as it’s Slomatics in full DOOM METAL mode with the OTT lyrics and Marty putting in a truly commanding vocal performance. Though it’s the heavy guitar work from Chris and David that impressed me the most. The song is a mixture of Psych, Stoner Metal, Doom and Space Rock that ranks as one of the most creative songs Slomatics have recorded so far.

Fifth song – Beyond The Canopy – has similar themes to Telemachus My Son. The music is played at a deliberate slow pace but this song has a more impending sense of DOOM compared to the other songs on the album. The song is bleakly poetic and sees Slomatics add a more reflective cinematic Post-Rock/Post-Metal vibe to the album.

The final three songs - Arms Of The Sun, Mind Fortresses On Theia and Organic Caverns II – once again sees Slomatics play to their absolute strengths by creating some of the heaviest and fuzzed out parts of the album with Mind Fortresses On Theia being the main highlight. As I feel Marty puts in his best ever vocal performance on Mind Fortresses On Theia.

Canyons acts as a celebration for a band who have being going from strength to strength for the last fifteen years and who show no signs of slowing down.

The album is brilliantly produced and is one of the best sounding Slomatics have released to date. Canyons is simply without a doubt my favourite album I’ve heard this year and the odds are looking good that it will end up my favourite album of the year.

The album is a mighty step forward for Slomatics with its bold and unique heavy sound. Canyons is a must have and unmissable album.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Curtis at Dewar PR for the promo. Canyons will be available to buy on Cassette/CD/DD/Vinyl via Black Bow Records from June 14^th 2019.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Mount Soma - Nirodha (EP Review)

Release date: May 1st 2019. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Nirodha – Tracklisting

1.Dark Sun Destroyer 07:39

2.Emerge The Wolf 05:49

3.Resurfacing 09:14

Members

Vocals/Guitar - Brian

Guitar - Keith

Bass/synths - Conrad

Drums - Aaron

Review

Nirodha is the new EP from Irish Heavy Space/Doom Rockers - Mount Soma. This is a different sounding EP from Mount Soma compared to their excellent debut EP from a few years ago. This EP has a heavier progressive sound with the band creating a sludgier groove with elements of Psych, Doom and Stoner Metal that add a more cinematic feel to Mount Soma's music.

Opening song - Dark Sun Destroyer - is a dark sci-fi based tale told through the powerful distorted Sludge/Stoner Riffs and the aggressive vocals of lead singer Brian. The song is driven by a thumping bass line that is quite deafening at times. The swirling ambient and psychedelic spaced out noises the band include on this song is a cool touch and makes you feel part of the overall journey that Mount Soma take you upon.

Second song - Emerge The Wolf - is a heavier and more aggressive song with the band playing a faster style of music. The mood is very raw but still constantly engaging despite the harsh vocals being screamed at you. There is an epic guitar solo towards the end of the song that leaves you wanting more. The EP can sound quite seedy in places and none so more on this song but it works to Mount Soma's favour. As the sludgy and harsh guitars create some of the best riffs held on the EP.

Third song - Resurfacing - is the standout song on the EP as Mount Soma take you on a ten-minute adventure where the riffs drift from Psych, Stoner Metal, Doom and Sludge Metal with relevant ease. The song does feel inspired by Metallica classic - ONE - in places. Not with the music but how the song is structured especially with the haunting voiceover that appears at the start. Add the Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Riffs and you have the recipe for a hard-hitting science-fiction spaced out metal odyssey. Brian’s vocals are violent and compelling as ever with the music providing the perfect gloomy backdrop as well.

Nirodha production is good for the most part. However, there are a few rough parts which could have done with more volume. Though that could actually be a creative choice from the band themselves. Mainly to give Niroda a more emotionally driven sound. That doesn't stop Nirodha being a thrilling and genuinely exciting EP that will impress even the most jaded of Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal fan.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Links:

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Dune Sea - S/T (Album Review)

Release date: May 03^rd 2019. Label: All Good Clean Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Dune Sea – S/T – Tracklisting

Pentobarbital And Ethanol

Dune Sea

Future

Morphine

Green

Astrodelic Breakdown

Bounty Hunter

Awake

Cosmic Playground

Members

Ole Nogva - vocals, guitar, synthesizer, effects

Petter Dahle - Bass

Erik Bråten - Drums

Review

Dune Sea debut album bridges the gap between Space Rock and Stoner Rock/Metal with relevant ease and shows the band creating their own highly stylistic sound that draws influence from Hawkwind, Earthless, Colour Haze and KYUSS. The album is quite a trippy and surreal audio experience with the band adding a cool seventies rock groove to their music as well.

The trippy audio soundwaves and hard-rocking Desert/Stoner Rock riffs is a concept we’ve heard a thousand times before. However, Dune Sea actually do weird and wonderful things with the standard rules of the Stoner/Space Rock genres that make you stand up and take notice.

Opening song – Pentobarbital And Ethanol – is a combination of Hawkwind sonic riffage and Fu Manchu/Kyuss classic Desert/Stoner Rock vibes with the song moving into heavier Doomed Out Territory. The song can be quite Post-Rock sounding at times but this gives Dune Sea a more cinematic sound. The music is fast-paced and never feels out of place. The harsh Bass Guitar towards the end of the song shows you that Dune Sea is not afraid to get down and dirty to create heavier sounds.

Second song – Dune Sea – has a nineties Stoner Rock flow to it with the band once again allowing the Space Rock vibe to become the main driving force behind their music. The vocals from Ole are sung superbly well with echoes of “FREEDOM” being sung in the background. This song sees Dune Sea play some fantastic heavy Psychedelic Stoner Metal guitar solos that have a vibrant energy to them.

Third song – Future – carries on the Psychedelic Stoner Rock madness from the opening two songs but with swirling Ambient noises and self-aware lyrics making this one of the standout songs on the album. The band show their appreciation for Science Fiction and Star Wars in general with some of the lyrics they have written for this song.

Fourth Song – Morphine – sees Dune Sea adding a seedy Garage Rock vibe to their music. However, the warped psychedelic riffs and distorted vocals don’t fully work and the band lose focus deciding which musical direction they want to fully explore on this song.

Fifth song – Green – sees the band return to winning ways with a heavy mix of Psychedelic Stoner Rock and warped Spaced Out sounds being played to their full potential. Heavy and intense in places making Green a trippy and very surreal psychedelic experience.

The remaining four songs sees Dune Sea continue playing their epic hybrid Spaced Out with different Ambient Noises just for the sheer heck of it. Songs such as: Astrodelic Breakdown, Bounty Hunter and Cosmic Playground – offer a cool narrative to each of the songs with the band telling an exciting story within each song through the power of their music.

Dune Sea is an excellent sounding record and the production is epic from the start. If you’re looking for a band to satisfy your Space Rock and Stoner Rock/Metal desires, then Dune Sea have you covered.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the promo. Dune Sea debut album will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via All Good Clean Records from May 3^rd 2019.

Links:

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These Beasts - S/T (Album Review)

Release date: March 29th 2019. Label: Magnetic Eye Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

These Beasts S/T – Tracklisting

1.End of the Whip 04:21

2.Shovel and Pick 05:32

3.Shirilla in a Tub 03:19

4.Fedor 04:50

5.Luke Warm at Best 03:09

6.Impugn 05:54

Members

Chris Roo - Guitar and Words

Keith Anderson - Drums

Todd Fabian - Bass and Words

Review

These Beasts self-titled debut release sees the band play a wild and vivid collection of different styles such as Sludge Rock, Stoner Metal, Doom Metal, Psych Rock and Noise Rock. They have created a totally different sound that I was originally expecting. The music is angry and pissed off from the start. The band feel and sound like they take influence from bands such as BOTCH, Unsane and CAVE-IN whilst remaining true to the Stoner Rock/Metal roots. Throw in some Baroness and Mastodon progressive Sludge Metal melodies and you have a band that will entertain you for the next 28 minutes or so.

The whole EP has a heavy metallic rock vibe running from beginning to end with the odd flourish of Psychedelic Metal showing These Beasts are quite adapt playing whatever style the mood calls for on each individual song.

The standout songs have to be: End Of The Whip, Shovel and Pick, Fedor and Impugn. The one thing that stands out for me the most on this EP is the epic Bass Guitar played by Todd. As Todd provides the thumping rhythm and heartbeat for These Beasts to thrive upon. Add the harsh and cool guitars from Chris and Keith’s precise drumming and you have an EP that is very hard to describe but also equally addictive at the same time.

These Beasts also remind me of KOWLOON WALLED CITY in many ways especially with the dirty sludgy and gloomy atmospherics the band use as the main ingredient for their music. The production and overall feel of the EP is very raw but one that’s superb throughout. These Beasts offer a violent Sludge/Stoner/Noise Rock experience that demands your full undivided attention.

If you’re looking for a superbly weird and entertaining record that packs an almighty punch then you’ve came to the right place. As this is a thrilling EP and one that makes me excited to see what These Beasts will release next. These Beasts have huge potential and they prove that on their debut EP.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Jadd at Red Lead Media for the promo. These Beasts is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Magnetic Eye Records now.

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