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

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

Watch the music video for 'Riot' here: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Catch the band on the following dates:

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

THE VINTAGE CARAVAN - Riot

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

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

Tracklist

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

THE VINTAGE CARAVAN are:

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

THE VINTAGE CARAVAN online:

WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
X
YOUTUBE
SPOTIFY
NAPALM RECORDS

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

SweetBeast - Illusions (Album Review)

Release Date: February 20th 2025. Record Label: Humalien Records. Formats: DD

Illusions - Track Listing:

1. 70/30 - 7:57

2. Thunder - 4:01

3. Dream Eater - 5:29

4. Midnight - 4:38

5. Plastic People - 6:41

6. Illusion ft. Space Queen - 11:26

Members

Eric Gorzynski - Vocals/Guitar

Alex Graham - Backup Vocals/Bass

Colton Schofield - Drums

John Hermary - Vocals/Guitar

Review

Illusions is the debut album from Psych/Fuzz/Stoner Rockers SweetBeast who fuse a classic style of Blues, Grunge, Sludge and Americana vibes into their music and these guys are Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. This record could have easily suffered from a real sense of identity crisis as SweetBeast go through multiple different styles of Heavy Rock though this album is an absolute marvel with the band crafting a subtle record that is superbly heavy and beautifully pop-centered when the mood calls for this.

With influences of bands such as Alice In Chains, QOTSA, King Buffalo and KYUSS appearing within the creative throws of the entire record, SweetBeast employ a loud, vast and desolate landscape which comes alive superbly well in the early stages of the album on tracks such as 70/30, Thunder and Dream Eater. The tracks convey a fine art of cinematic storytelling and instrumental Psychedelic jams which can be quite daring with it’s epic grooves and screeching sludgy guitars which becomes more Post-Rock, Post-Doom and Alt-Rock as time passes by. 

The vocals are rich and quite varied that are provided by band members Eric Gorzynksi (Guitar), Alex Graham (Bass) and John Hermany (Guitar). The band have their good friends Space Queen providing guest vocals on the stunning final title track and it’s really one of the genuine highlights of the whole album. As the track can be dominated by a “POPPIER” vibe without losing that Sludge/Stoner element SweetBeast expertly built up on the whole album.

Illusions is firmly rooted in both Classic Rock and Modern Rock soundscapes which allows SweetBeast to switch musical tactics throughout that allows the record to be quite a tender and emotionally charged record at point before exploding into a neverending style of Cosmic Doomed Out grooves. With a soulful Prog Rock delivery appearing on later stages of the record that resonates the most when moments of Fuzz Rock and Post-Rock appear out of nowhere and drags the album closer to the likes of ELDER, King Buffalo and WeedPecker before the record is out.

Illusions is built upon excellent production values that has a certain resemblance to the seedy backdrop of 1970’s Doomedelic Rock and the swagger of the 1990’s Grunge/Stoner Rock scene. SweetBeast have released an outstanding debut album that should see the band gain a significant following within the underground scene to make themselves more well known.

Overall, Illusions is a spectacular record that everyone should own right now.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Asher Media PR for the promo.

Illusions will be available to digitally via Humailen Records from Friday 21st February 2025.

Links

SweetBeast.ca

Facebook.com/SweetBeastFuzz

https://sweetbeastrock.bandcamp.com/track/dream-eater-2

Instagram.com/sweetbeastfuzz

Tiktok.com/@sweetbeastfuzz

Hard Rock/Psych Rock Band THE LANCASTERS Premiere New Song/Video THE QUEST From Their Upcoming New Album

The Quest' is from The Lancasters's forthcoming album, 'The Word of the Mistral', scheduled for late 2024.

The band commented that "We produced this video clip by gathering footage from our last tour with J.P. Shilo (Mick Harvey, Hungry Ghosts), Mika Bajinski (Sometimes With Others), and Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth). We entrusted our friend and director, Tony Fried, to edit this piece, as we felt it was best to maintain some distance from the content, allowing us to better convey the message we intended with 'The Quest' That tour was merely the beginning of our future projects, but it gave us the strength to harness our collective inner energy, akin to the resolve that supported fearless ancient pilgrims on their journeys.

None of us in the band believe in the Catholic Church or Christianity. However, we were deeply moved by the immense and astonishing aesthetic created by humanity in its search for God and the struggle to purify their souls. St. Michael is one of the central figures in the lives of pilgrims. He is as strong as the sword he wields, yet merciful at the same time. In the lyrics of this song, he addresses the Four Horsemen, whom we have chosen as the main characters for our concept album.

'The Word of the Mistral' will be the name of our next LP, symbolising the voice of us all carried by the wind that leads us to the truth. It also represents the voices of the guides who hold our hands, making us feel braver and safer. We are collaborating closely with Retro Vox Records to release our album this autumn, along with several singles that will precede the LP's launch."

 

LINKS

https://www.facebook.com/thelancastersband
https://www.instagram.com/thelancasters_band
https://thelancastersband.bandcamp.com

Thanks to Metaversus PR for all of the info.

Slump - Dust (EP Review)

Release Date: May 03rd 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Dust - Tracklisting

1.Dust 03:19

2.Buried 04:02

3.Kneel 07:16

4.Vultures 06:02

Band Members

Drums - Kabu

Bass - Olly

Guitar, Vocals - Matt

Review

Sludge/Stoner Rockers Slump impressed me last year with their split release “SP/LIT” with fellow UK Doom/Sludge Metallers At War With The Sun. Two of the tracks Dust and Buried from that acclaimed release now feature on this new EP along with two unreleased tracks Kneel and Vultures. This is the last release to feature original bassist Olly Lawrence who has been replaced by new member Ben Myles.

Dust is a twenty minute offering showcasing Slump’s brash and aggressive style of Sludge/Stoner Rock with a Punk Rock swagger. Echoes of Red Fang energy appear within the two opening tracks Bust and Buried especially within the faster moments of the both tracks. The sound is quite raw with a no frills production style which allows Slump to have a more “dirge” edge to their music. 

Dust does allow Slump to pay homage to their musical heroes and influences to bands such as Alice In Chains, DOWN, Corrosion Of Conformity, Black Sabbath and even Mastodon in places. The FUZZY guitars allow Slump to get DOWN and DIRTY with the excellent grooves and psychedelic energy that appear mostly within Buried and Kneel.

Matt’s vocals have a certain 1990’s sound and energy to them which lean heavily into the Punk Rock scene whilst still being part of the WEEDIAN scene. Though, his vocals become heavier, aggressive and quite deafening on the second half of the EP.

The tracks Kneel and Vultures are being heard for the first time and I’m impressed yet again by what I hear from Slump. The songs are very much of the Grunge/Stoner hybrid sound that’s starting to appear more and more within the scene. This allows Slump to become more DOOM and HEAVY METAL obsessed as well with the sublime guitar solos that appear within Kneel alone.

Dust is another fantastic release from Slump who are on the right track of becoming more well known within the UK scene. Within a few years then I could see Slump doing great things within the UK and European Sludge/Stoner Rock scenes. 

Check these guys out now. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to DC Sound Attack for the promo

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

UFOMAMMUT premiere 'Let Me Drown' from "Superunknown Redux"

On the first single taken from the forthcoming Magnetic Eye Records Redux Series installment "Superunknown Redux", Italian drone doom art collective UFOMAMMUT present their sizzling deep fried take on SOUNDGARDEN's 'Let Me Drown'. More information about this album can be found below. The massive double album has been scheduled for release "Superunknown Redux" on July 14, 2023, the pre-sale is available at THIS LOCATION!

The UFOMAMMUT cover track of SOUNDGARDEN's 'Let Me Drown' is now streaming here:

Parallel to "Superunknown Redux", Magnetic Eye Records will release the by now customary companion album entitled "Best of Soundgarden Redux" that contains further 15 cover versions of deep cuts and all-time classics from across SOUNDGARDEN's extensive catalogue recorded by more exciting artists.

UFOMAMMUT comment: "Something was happening to underground music at the end of the eighties", guitarist Poia muses. "It was a time when a particular branch of rock music was becoming more granitic, powerful and real, free from the clichés of classic metal, and inspired by a more raw, punk attitude. Seattle was the epicenter of that 'sonic earthquake' and those waves reached the world and also Italy, at the outskirts of rock, at the beginning of the nineties. This storm changed our lives, forever. We were doomed and decided to form a band, inspired by both the classics of rock and by the new bands we began to love. This link with the past made sense. Also, King Buzzo in an interview once said that 'Nirvana were The Beatles, while Soundgarden were... Led Zeppelin'."

Urlo adds: "We still remember the first time we listened to 'Badmotorfinger', just after it released way back in 1991", the vocalist recalls. "The riffs, the drums, Chris Cornell's vocals slapped us in the face. Soundgarden took the rock of that period to a different level. And with 'Superunknown' they reached perfection. It is a unique and unattainable record. We take it as a big honour to have the chance to pay tribute to those giants and open this album with 'Let Me Drown', a song that sounds perfect in Soundgarden's hands. We began to play it as it was, but immediately understood that making the piece too similar to the original wasn't the way. So, slowly, little by little, we deconstructed it. We tried to understand the spirit of the song, and did our best to transform it into our own vision: a thunderous desperate vortex, inspired by both music and lyrics. Dealing with Kim Thayil's riffs and Chris Cornell's voice was a challenge, but also a very interesting, deeply satisfying experience. We think that, at the end, we’ve created a very Ufomammut song with the backbone of a great Soundgarden classic."

UFOMAMMUT were founded in Italy in 1999 as a trio playing a distinct style of doom metal that has been termed psychedelic doom and doom drone among many other attempts to pigeonhole the band. Their sound is characterised by songs of mostly epic length, heavy riffing that is often hypnotically repeated as well as droning vocals. All eight studio albums from the debut-full-length ""Godlike Snake" (2000) to their latest success "8" (2017) have been critically acclaimed and celebrated by the fans. Live, UFOMAMMUT are visually supported by the video and graphic art studio Malleus Rock Art Lab. Two band members, Poia and Urla, are part of this rock artist collective. The Italian trio has performed at prestigious festivals such as Roadburn, Hellfest, Ieper Fest, Maryland Death Fest, and Brutal Assault Festival among many others and has toured around the globe.

Tracklist "Superunknown Redux"

1. Ufomammut 'Let Me Drown
2. High Priest feat. Bobby Ferry (16) 'My Wave'
3. Marissa Nadler 'Fell on Black Days'
4. Somnuri 'Mailman'
5. Valley of the Sun 'Superunknown'
6. Frayle 'Head Down'
7. Spotlights 'Black Hole Sun'
8. Horseburner 'Spoonman'
9. Witch Mountain 'Limo Wreck'
10. Beastwars 'The Day I Tried to Live'
11. Jack Harlon & The Dead Crows 'Kickstand'
12. The Age of Truth 'Fresh Tendrils'
13. Marc Urselli's SteppenDoom feat. Matt Cameron (Soundgarden, Pearl Jam), Igor Sydorenko (Stoned Jesus), Alain Johannes (Queens of the Stone Age, Eleven), Albert Kuvezin (Yat-Kha) & Utelo '4th of July'
14. Dozer 'Half'
15. Darkher 'Like Suicide'

Rising at the end of the 20th Century, SOUNDGARDEN were loud, heavy, genuine, and unaffected by whatever was cool. Their mix of weighty power, soaring melodies and punk sneer made them ideal standard bearers for the grunge movement, but their towering musicianship and intelligent songcraft helped them transcend the era and remain iconic far beyond their origins in the Seattle scene. Arguably their finest and most comprehensive statement, "Superunknown" was the album that launched them to global mega-stardom. It contains some of the most lasting, meaningful, and heaviest songs they ever wrote.

"Superunknown Redux" presents new takes on all fifteen tracks from the seminal SOUNDGARDEN album from some of the loudest, coolest, and most eclectic bands across rock and metal today, along with a few less heavy but absolutely captivating contributions. Along with "Superunknown Redux", we also present our "Best of Soundgarden Redux" companion album, offering up another 15 all-time classics and deep cuts from across the rest of the grunge gods' extensive catalog.

The Magnetic Eye Redux Series features hand-picked classic albums from across the history of rock and metal re-imagined in their entirety from start to finish. Artists we love from within and outside the heavy rock landscape choose tracks to make their own, bringing these milestone records into the new millennium with crushing heaviness and searing energy. To date, we've produced Redux editions of PINK FLOYD's "The Wall", HELMET's "Meantime", BLACK SABBATH's "Vol. 4", HENDRIX's "Electric Ladyland", ALICE IN CHAINS' "Dirt", and AC/DC's "Back in Black", which have included artists like RED FANG, MATT PIKE, PALLBEARER, THE MELVINS, ALL THEM WITCHES, KHEMMIS, ASG, SUPERSUCKERS, ZAKK WYLDE, MARK LANEGAN, RUBY THE HATCHET, and many more amazing artists.

Tune into the seventh foray into Redux territory as Magnetic Eye Records and friends pay long-due respect to the Seattle legends with "Superunknown Redux"!

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

The Electric Highway Festival (Calgary, AB) Announces Dates For 2024 Lineup – April 4 -6; Opens Band Submissions and Special One-Day Ultra Early Bird Special

 EHF 2023 Lineup Spotify Playlist - https://spoti.fi/3ZKB9Tm​

Calgary's The Electric Highway Festival has wrapped up for 2023 and it was a resounding success according to festival organizers. The event took place from March 23, 24, and 25, 2023 at Dickens, with 3 days of music from Canadian bands trekking from across Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba along with American headliners, Los Angeles' Sasquatch.

The 2024 edition of The Electric Highway will take place April 4, 5, and 6, 2024 once again at Dickens in Calgary. Band submissions for the event open on April 1 and run until June 30, 2023. Bands can fill out the form on the website.

Fans of The Electric Highway will also have the opportunity to buy very limited Ultra Early Bird Passes for the 2024 festival starting at noon MST on April 1, 2023. Only 20 passes for $60 each will be available in the Festival Store.

About:

Buckle up for The Electric Highway Festival!

The 2023 edition of the festival focused on Desert Rock and Metal, Doom, Sludge, and Heavy Psych and had expanded to include some punk and hardcore bands as well.

The festival featured Californian headliners Sasquatch, one of the festival’s past favorites, laying down their brand of fuzzy, kick-ass Desert Rock & Heavy Psych with direct support from Vancouver’s La Chinga who returned for their 4th appearance on Saturday night. Black Mastiff returned to headline Friday night with Calgary’s Gone Cosmic and HypnoPilot headlined the Thursday show with support from Citizen Rage. These are just a few of the wicked bands that played at The Electric Highway. The full lineup can be found below.
​
​The Electric Highway 2023 Official Nightly Lineups:​
​
​Thursday, March 23:​
HypnoPilot (Lethbridge, AB) - Daily Headliner
Citizen Rage (Calgary, AB)
Musing (Calgary, AB)
No More Moments (Siksika, AB)
Father Moon (Calgary, AB)
Destroy My Brains (Lloydminster, AB).
​
​Friday, March 24:​
Black Mastiff (Edmonton, AB/Vancouver, BC) - Daily Headliner
Gone Cosmic (Calgary, AB)
Set & Stoned (Crossfield, AB)
Hombre (Calgary, AB)
Empress (Vancouver, BC)
Molten Lava (Vancouver, BC)
Space Queen (Vancouver, BC) Owls & Eagles (Calgary, AB)
​
​Saturday, March 25:​
Sasquatch (Los Angeles, CA) - Festival Headliner
La Chinga (Vancouver, BC)
Buffalo Bud Buster (Calgary, AB)
Brown Dwarf (Red Deer, AB)
The Astral Prophets (Calgary, AB)
Iron Tusk (Siksika, AB)
The Sleeping Legion (Winnipeg, MB)
Tebby & the Heavy (Edmonton, AB)
Garuda (Cranbrook, BC).
​
The Electric Highway is a fully immersive festival experience and offers much more than just music. The festival also featured an art & vendor exposition during all three days at Dickens, March 23 - 25, 2023.

Check www.TheElectricHighway.ca for more festival information.

We look forward to bringing this festival to you, and can't wait to see everyone in 2024!
​
​Social Media Links:

Website: TheElectricHighway.ca​

Facebook: Facebook.com/ElectricHighwayFestival​

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/849216866328036​

Instagram: Instagram.com/TheElectricHighway​

Twitter: Twitter.com/TheElectricHwy​
​​
Hashtag #BuckleUp

Festival Artwork by David Paul Seymour
The Electric Highway Logo by Sketchy Intuitions

SANTO ROSTRO Premiere New Song For Telarañas From Upcoming New Album Después no habrá nada

Spanish psych-doom rockers SANTO ROSTRO are back in business with their 4th studio album 'Después no habrá nada' - to be released on 10th March 2023 via Discos Macarras, LaRubiaProducciones & Spinda Records, although the single "Telarañas" is coming out on 10th February. The pre-order for vinyl, compact discs and digital editions starts that same day (links at the bottom).

Andalusian power trio returns with a dark-psych rock album, with long tracks including complex instrumental developments, processed atmospheres and a dirty sound plenty of echoes, different modulations and occasional synths.

Many things have changed in SANTO ROSTRO since they put out 'The Healer' in 2017, and this is obviously reflected in this new album. 'Después no habrá nada' is the result of a more mature band, with thousands of kilometers touring both Spain and EU on their back, several TV appearances and a couple of stand-alone video-singles - and everything 100% DIY.

This way, we find ourselves with a more balanced and determined sound, with a tremendous solid and seamless rhythmic base, powerful and organic at the same time, with a dance of tempos that accelerate and slow down at the right time - there's no clapperboard in here.

Artwork: 'Después no habrá nada' by Santo Rostro

In 'Después no habrá nada' you'll find from doom to sludge, with high doses of progressive metal and even Andalusian heavy psych. It could be understood as a great mix of bands such as Viaje a 800, Adrift, Oransi Pazuzu, Mastadon or Russian Circles, but with an imprint that only SANTO ROSTRO has. This new album is a kind of a personal delirium and hangover; with some rehearsal room taste and accumulated fatigue.

The album was produced by the band itself; then recorded and mixed by Raúl Pérez at La Mina (Spain); and mastered by Mario G. Alberni at Kadifornia Mastering (Spain). Behind the artwork is The Braves Church, based on photographies by Manu Rosaleny.

'Después no habrá nada' comes out on 10th March 2023 through Discos Macarras, LaRubiaProducciones and Spinda Records in the following editions:

Digital
300x CD Digipack
150x Black Vinyl
150x Orange Translucent Vinyl

TRACK-LIST: 

1. Telarañas

2. Carcasa Digital

3. Aire

4. Matriz

5. Después no habrá nada

PRE-ORDER (10th Feb): 

Santo Rostro / Discos Macarras / LaRubiaProducciones / Spinda Records

Links

Facebook | BandCamp 

Introduce Yourselves: OWLS & EAGLES

What is the name of your band?

Owls & Eagles

Mark Russell – Vocals/Drums

Ross Ferguson – Guitar/Vocals (answered interview)

What is the genre of music that you play?

Psychedelic melodic stoner grunge doom probably sums it up 

Can you give a brief history of the band of how it came together and where it is today?

Mark and I were/are working together in Citizen Rage, a hardcore punk band Mark started in 2014, which I joined in 2016, and late 2019, I had the urge to do a 2 piece band where I played through 2 guitar cabs and a bass cab and could switch through the cabs and tones as needed, like a full band.

Mark had another 2 piece project where he played drums and sang, that was winding down and we work really well together so it seemed like the logical choice to team up on this project. We were able to do some rehearsing through pandemic, but it really started coming together after we played our first show. That’s when the concept developed, we wrote a few new tracks to tie in with the story and we come to this release Patience Vol I.

What can people expect from your music?

Slow heavy riffs, chiming melodies, screaming and singing, soundscapes you can close your eyes and just space out to, and bangers that will get your head moving back and forth.

What is the best release that folks should check out from your band?

We recently released the first single and intro to the album Patience Vol I. Enlightenment is the first track and the beginning of our story of a female entity’s journey of self discovery and realization. It’s a pretty out there concept but it has been super cool seeing it develop into something we’re really proud of. 

Where can people find you on Social Media?

http://www.facebook.com/Owlseaglesyyc
http://instagram.com/owlsneaglesyyc
https://owlsneagles.bandcamp.com/track/enlightenment

Musician/Solo Artist To Check Out - Jon Watkins

Jon Watkins is a Composer/Guitarist from Montreal, Quebec who creates Ambient/Experimental music that draws in other areas of music such as Drone, Electronica, Psychedelic and Post-Rock especially on his latest superb release You Can' Go Home Anymore. This album is the perfect gateway into Jon's haunting creative vision that he's created on many of his subsequent releases which are held on his BandCamp page.

If you like minimalist music with an experimental and abstract edge than Jon Watkins is a solo artist you should definitely check out. Jon's music conveys so many moods despite the solitary feel of it all and the lack of many instruments doesn't stop Jon for creating a superbly engaging release especially on his latest release. The music can be quite cold and unforgiving in places but it can also be warmhearted and uplifting as well.

Check out Jon's music and you'll be surprised what you hear.

Links

BandCamp

Preamp Disaster - By The Edges (Album Review)

Release Date: February 04th 2022. Record Label: Czar Of Crickets. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

By The Edges - Tracklisting

Above The Bloodline

Dark Brilliance

Holdun

Entering One Last Epoch

Review

Preamp Disaster is a band who have been around for fifteen years and who are about to release their fourth album with By The Edges. The band play a style of music that weaves different styles of  Post-Rock, Post-Metal, Doom Metal and Psych Rock. 

This is the first time I’ve encountered the band and I’m majorly impressed with By The Edges. An album that runs under thirty minutes. Maybe a little too compact for some but Preamp Disaster get straight into the action by playing Progressive Post-Rock/Post-Metal sounds.

Preamp Disaster prove their creative worth through the four songs held on the album. The music is HEAVY without being deafening and PROGRESSIVE without being condescending. There is a fine balance of LOUD GROOVES and moments of quiet CINEMATIC POST ROCK that can be heard throughout the album.

Opening song Above The Bloodline harks back to the days of early-era Pelican with gloomy undercurrent of Doom based Post-Metal with Sludgy Vibes starting to appear. The vocals are sparse but when they appear, the record moves up a few aggressive gears that the music easily matches beat for beat.

Second song Dark Brilliance opens with a lo-fi sonic ambient sound before the band add layers of street level Post-Rock/Post-Metal attitude. The song moves with the modern Psych Doom Metal times with the music blending the different atmospherics heard within this song. There’s a real sense of purpose on this track with the band playing a more forceful style of music. The vocals are brief yet again with Preamp Disaster forcing intelligent soundbytes to tell the song’s narrative.

Third song Holdun continues with the Prog Metal/Post-Metal trajectory sound of the record with the band wisely holding onto a winning creative formula. Heavy breakaways move into the Psychedelic Metal Wastelands. The song does become more progressive towards the later stages that fans of TOOL and CULT OF LUNA will surely be impressed with. The song is quite solitary with it’s cold-heart grooves that are mainly down to the fantastic vocals.

The final song Entering One Last Epoch is where Preamp Disaster truly shine by playing the standout track on the album. Running over nine minutes in length, this song sees the band playing a more subdued style of Post-Metal and Prog Metal. This is a heavy song but it’s the quieter sullen moments that impress the most. You can soak up all the different styles of music being played around you. There’s a lot to take in with this song but when things become heavier, you’ll be more appreciative of what is being played around you. The song perhaps draws influence from the later stages of Pelican and Russian Circles but still retaining Preamp Disaster’s own creative style.

By The Edges is a cold, desolate and aggressive album but one that also has a few uplifting moments contained within the record. This maybe my first experience with Preamp Disaster but I can honestly say it won’t be my last and I’m looking forward to checking out their previous releases. 

Preamp Disaster have released a superbly thrilling album that will no doubt grab the minds, attention and ears of the Post-Metal, Doom Metal and Prog Metal communities.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Czar Of Crickets for the promo. 

By The Edges will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Czar of Crickets from Friday 4th February 2022.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Chapel Floods - S/T (EP Review)

Release Date: January 24th 2022. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Chapel Floods - S/T - Tracklisting

1.Time Servers 04:37

2.Thousand Year Stare 04:27

3.Crooked Noose 03:30

Review

Chapel Floods debut EP is almost thirteen minutes of Modern Day Heavy Psych Stoner/Sludge Metal grooves. The vocals are raw and real with no studio polish behind them. What you hear is what you get with an EP that’s quite Melodic and not as aggressive you might think. That’s not to say this EP isn’t heavy as it’s superbly subtle with the heavy riffs heard throughout the three excellent tracks that make up this release.

There is an Alternative Metal and perhaps Grunge feel to Chapel Floods sound as well especially on the opening song Time Servers. It’s quite slow-paced with a cool “LOW & SLOW” approach with the band sticking firmly to their DIY roots. 

The band are more confident on the final two songs of Thousand Year Stare and Crooked Noose. Chapel Floods play seedier and faster paced grooves with that Grungy attitude appearing again. The production is way better compared to the first song.

I would like to hear more from Chapel Floods in the future. There’s a lot to recommend here if you dig your Sludge/Stoner Metal on the more Psychedelic and Grunge side of life. Add some cool Alternative Rock/Metal touches and this EP gets the job done of letting you know who Chapel Floods actually are.

Words by Steve Howe

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