Psychlona - Warped Vision (Album Review)

Release Date: September 27th 2024. Record Label: Magnetic Eye Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Warped Vision - Track Listing:

1. Jasmine

2. Let's Go

3. Smoke

4. Cut Loose

5. Topanga

6. Kaleidoscope

7. Split

8. Magic Carpet

Line-up:

Phil Hey – guitar, vocals

Martin Wiseman – lead guitar, backing vocals

Ian 'Izak' Buxton – bass guitar

Scott Frankling – drums

Review

Psych/Desert/Stoner Rockers Psychlona new album Warped Vision sees the band taking a more Psychedelic route compared to 2022’s acclaimed record Palo Verde. There’s influences such as Hawkwind, Pink Floyd and Yawning Man on this record alone and the band have recruited two new members since their last album with Ian Buxton on Bass and Martin Wiseman on lead guitar and backing vocals respectively. Two names I know too well thanks to their work with bands such as Lazarus Blackstar, Ironrat, Wolves In Winter, Monolith Cult and Solstice. 

WIth this being Pyschlona’s fourth album, they deserve the chance to experiment with their music which they do with absolute relish especially on the turbo-charged opening track of Jasmine. The song is full of classic STONER sounds which is powered along by a sublime bass guitar. Psychlona add traces of Post-Rock, Fuzz Rock and Desert Rock abstract passages into the mix with some freaky sounds and classic guitar solos whilst keeping their trademark PSYCHLONA sound intact.

Second track Let’s Go could have easily came off their last record with a similar narrative structure used as a starting point for Psychlona to branch out into other areas of Psychedelic Stoner based territory. The song opens with a sublime drumming section and Post-Rock sound that branches into a Post-Stoner based direction. The music becomes heavier, muscular and with a meaty aggressive sound that harks back to the days of KYUSS, Monster Magnet and FU MANCHU. Phil Hey’s vocal presence makes it feel like he grew up in the Californian Desert Scene and not the gloomy wastelands of Northern England. I’m from the North East Of England (Newcastle upon Tyne to be precise) so this song resonated quite heavily for me with the excellent lyrics that accompany this track.

Third track Smoke is more of a heartfelt number with a stunning Post-Rock sound coming through yet again with Psychlona opting for an easy going and hazy WEEDIAN journey which draws upon some epic Pink Floyd musical strokes along the way. One of the most laid-back tracks on the record which is still superbly heavy that are all played within Psychlona’s unique way of rich storytelling. The second half is a different story with the band switching to a heavier and fuzzier style of music which is classic PSYCHLONA through and through.

Fourth track Cut Loose is one of the heaviest tracks on the album with Psychlona leaning into Sludge territory with bombastic vocals leading the way. The FUZZ grooves have a level of seedy aggression and attitude to them especially when the mood becomes way more distorted. Though there’s a warm hearted nature to the song which is down again to the excellent vocals from both Phil and Martin.

The second half of the record does become more slightly warped and heavier with the WEEDIAN influence starting to take hold especially on tracks such as Topanga and Kaleidoscope with Psychlona adding a texture of seediness to their lyrics and Doomed Metallic grit to their music. This shows the band are taking more bigger and daring risks with their music to perhaps become more aligned to the Doom Metal world than the STONER world we ultimately know them for.

The final two tracks of Split and Magic Carpet can both be quite uplifting and surreal with sonic noises allowing the guitars to slowly weave into the forefront of the action. The music can be beautifully slow and challenging at times but shows a different side to Psychlona where they walk along in the same realm of bands such as King Buffalo and Howling Giant. 

Warped Vision is another standout album from Psychlona which continues the outstanding work heard on Palo Verde but also allows the band to create exciting new sounds and instrumental passages which will no doubt allow Psychlona to become one of the leading bands within the UK Stoner Metal scene.

This is also another ALBUM OF THE YEAR contender from the band and one that will be remembered as one of their most powerful and technically impressive records to date.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to All Noir PR and Magnetic Eye Records for the promo.

Warped Vision will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Magnetic Records from Friday 27th September 2024.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

PSYCHLONA unveil new video single 'Jasmine' taken from the forthcoming new album "Warped Vision"!

British desert rockers PSYCHLONA drop the relentlessly pounding and groovy video single 'Jasmine' from their forthcoming new full-length "Warped Vision", which is scheduled for release on September 27, 2024 via Magnetic Eye Records. Pre-order your copy at:

http://lnk.spkr.media/psychlona-warped-vision

The video 'Jasmine' was filmed en route to, from and at the Stoned from the Underground Festival, Alperstedter See, Germany in July 2024. Watch the video on YouTube now:

"This track is referred to by Izak's brother as 'the best song that you've ever played bass on' – you have probably just noted that he did not say 'best bassline' – 'Jasmine' is indeed a heavily thick-stringed affair", drummer Scott Frankling reveals on behalf of the band. "I even venture to unashamedly call it a head-nodding chug-athon. We just immediately fell into it and the whole song came together quite easily – even the dueling guitar bit." 

When it's time to pick your poison, a blend of KYUSS and FU MANCHU is nearly always the base for a delicious result. Spice up the flavour with a particularly British note via a chilled infusion of HAWKWIND and a liberal sprinkling of PINK FLOYD over the lusciously creamy top, and you'll find that PSYCHLONA has served up a concoction ready to explode spectacularly in your aural taste buds.

Musical barkeeps with the necessary set of skills to create such a delicacy are not easy to come by, but PSYCHLONA are experts in their field. Their fourth album "Warped Vision" is an exemplary exercise of practised veterans creating a masterpiece. The album's foundations are laid down by riff-focused heaviness and breakouts combined with a multitude of chilled vibes. What makes "Warped Vision" stick out from a host of similar recordings is the precision with which each hook hits home and sticks, a dynamic balance of rough edges and catchy melodies.

The city of Bradford in West Yorkshire is neither particularly arid nor situated in a warm climate. But although hailing from the former industrial heartlands of rainy Northern England, PSYCHLONA have developed a particularly British brand of desert rock. Some hot summer days of 2016 inspired some local musicians to fry up some sonic ideas from sunny California of decades past and to blend in the raw energy of UK punk, a dash of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, and spoonfuls of classic English 60s and 70s psychedelia. When this experiment far exceeded their own expectations, PSYCHLONA were born.

In November 2018, when English towns turn bleak and cold, their sun-drenched debut album "Mojo Rising" made ears prick up and set them firmly on the path for the prolific following years.

The hardworking Englishmen released their sophomore full-length "Venus Skytrip" in August 2020, an album received with rave reviews across the heavy rock underground and which landed PSYCHLONA their first number one on the Doom Charts. It also reserved them spots high up on several important end-of-year lists.

Gathering momentum, the British stoner rockers unveiled third album "Palo Verde" two years later in August 2022 and immediately scored a second 10/10 review in Powerplay Magazine UK.

During these years, PSYCHLONA also established themselves as an impressive live act. Relentless touring and performing at prestigious festivals that included Desertfest (UK & DE), Freak Valley (DE), SonicBlast (PT), Alcatraz Music (BE), Sonic Whip (NL), and at Psycho Las Vegas (US) pushed the Brits higher up the billings. An incident in Las Vegas when they were the only band asked by the casino manager to please turn down the volume only fueled their upward trajectory.

Now, PSYCHLONA are ready to take the next big step. Welcoming two new members aboard the band has added a new dynamic both in writing and recording. The gentle alterations brought about by their fresh input has turned "Warped Vision" into what is clearly the most complete and thrilling album of the psychedelic desert rockers so far. With "Warped Vision", PSYCHLONA have hit the jackpot, and they are generously offering up rounds for everyone. Cheers!

Video credits
Filmed by Psychlona, High Desert Queen, Ewu Lohrider, Kirsten Seubert, Karin Klocke, and Martin Ripsam
Featuring Cameos by High Desert Queen, Lowrider, Greenleaf, and a red kite.
Designed, created & edited by Psychlona

Tracklist:

1. Jasmine
2. Let's Go
3. Smoke
4. Cut Loose
5. Topanga
6. Kaleidoscope
7. Split
8. Magic Carpet

Line-up:

Phil Hey – guitar, vocals
Martin Wiseman – lead guitar, backing vocals
Ian 'Izak' Buxton – bass guitar
Scott Frankling – drums

Recording & mix by Andy Hawkins at The Nave Studios, Leeds (UK)
Mastering by James Grover at Home Studio, London (UK)

Artwork by Kyrre Bjurling
Layout by Scott Frankling

For More Info Visit:

www.facebook.com/psychlona
www.instagram.com/psychlona

Thanks to All Noir PR for all of the details.

Stoner Metallers PSYCHLONA sign with Magnetic Eye Records & release new video single 'Liberty'

PSYCHLONA have set their signatures under a multi-album deal with Magnetic Eye Records, with the British desert rockers planning to release their fourth album via the label later in 2024. See below for statements regarding the signing.

In celebration of joining Magnetic Eye, PSYCHLONA also release a new video single today. Please see below for further details of the smoking track 'Liberty'.

PSYCHLONA comment: "We are stoked to be joining Magnetic Eye", guitarist and singer Phil Hey writes on behalf of the band. "We had a few offers on the table but we all knew that this label was the way we wanted to go. We have already worked with label director Jadd Shickler under various guises over the past few years and he has become a trusted confidant and friend. 

That was probably our primary reason, very closely followed by the fact that Magnetic Eye has a great roster including Greenleaf, who are one of my all-time favourite bands. It made perfect sense. We're looking forward to a long relationship with Jadd and the guys!"

Jadd Shickler welcomes PSYCHLONA: "I've been working with Psychlona for several years in different capacities, and admire the fast leaps forward they've taken in a short time", the Magnetic Eye director explains. 

"In 2020, they gave even Lowrider and Elephant Tree some tough competition for a lot of folks' favorite record that year. Then they played back to back at Psycho Las Vegas, and I saw people go crazy for them firsthand. I dig their effortless desert vibe despite the guys being as British as it gets, and I love the dynamic they bring to our carefully curated roster of driven, sonically unique acts. I can hardly wait to hear what they'll do on their first full album for us next year!"

The city of Bradford in West Yorkshire is not known for an arid or hot climate. But hailing from the former industrial heartlands of rainy Northern England has not stopped PSYCHLONA from crafting an honest and particularly British take on desert rock. They don't drink tequila, they down pints of beer, my dear.

What began decades past in California got an update in the hot summer of 2016, when a group of local musicians began simmering molten riffs with the raw energy of UK punk and spoonfuls of classic English 60s and 70s psychedelia. The unique beast that is PSYCHLONA was born.

In November 2018, when all the Northern towns turn grey, their sun-drenched debut album "Mojo Rising" garnered early recognition for the band and set them on track for a prolific next several years.

The hardworking Englishmen wasted no time, following with the release of sophomore full-length "Venus Skytrip" in August 2020. The album was greeted with rave reviews across the heavy rock underground, landed PSYCHLONA their first number one on the Doom Charts, and secured them high placements on numerous end-of-year lists.

The British stoner rockers did not slow down, unleashing their third album "Palo Verde" two years later in August 2022 and immediately scored a second 10/10 review in Powerplay Magazine UK.

PSYCHLONA used the time between albums to establish themselves as a crushing live act. Aside from relentless touring, the band performed at prestigious festivals including Desertfest (UK & DE), Freak Valley (DE), SonicBlast (PT), Alcatraz Music (BE), Sonic Whip (NL) and twice across the Atlantic at Psycho Las Vegas (US).

Currently, PSYCHLONA are preparing for the release of their fourth album, which will be out via Magnetic Eye Records in 2024. Meanwhile, enjoy a taste of what they've been at with the brand new video single 'Liberty'!

Line-up

Ian 'Izak' Buxton – bass guitar
Scott Frankling – drums
Phil Hey – guitar, vocals
Martin Wiseman – lead guitar, backing vocals

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Psychlona - Palo Verde (Album Review)

Release Date: August 19th 2022. Record Label: Psycho Waxx. Format: DD/Vinyl

Palo Verde - S/T - Tracklisting

1.Gasoline

2.1975 

3.Rainbird

4.Meet Your Devil

5.Purple River

6.Jetplane

7.La Tolvanera

8.Warped

Review

Stoner Rockers Psychlona return with their third album Palo Verde and their first for new label Psycho Waxx. The new record label from the organisers of the Psycho Las Vegas Festival. This album sees Psychlona branch out into other areas of Classic Hard Rock that may surprise you along the way. Take the opening song Gasoline which made me think, am I listening to Psychlona from the UK or a totally different band with the same name.

Gasoline is a FUZZED UP with seedy intentions with the band embracing a sixties Surf Rock attitude and up-tempo Blues Rock grooves. Throw in the usual mix of Seventies Classic Hard Rock themes and powerful Stoner Rock vibes. Psychlona’s seedier lyrics and boisterous vocals seem tonally different from their acclaimed last album. However, this works to the bands favour as this album has a deliciously addictive sound. Certain parts of the song remind me of Chris Montez classic pop song Let’s Dance but that could be my mind playing tricks on me.

Second song 1975 is an ode to bands such as Truckfighters, KYUSS and FU MANCHU with the band focusing on a more straightforward style of Stoner Rock/Metal with Seventies based production values expanding that FUZZIER sound even further. Heavier Psych Extended Jams allow the guitars to be quite intense in places with an almost “Post-Doom” flavour appearing for a more SABBATH based sound. 

Two songs in and Psychlona are on their way in playing some of the best music of their careers to date with songs such as: Rainbird, Meet Your Devil and Purple River all having sublime lyrical content, first class vocals and a ton of epic sublime grooves and extended guitar jams. 

Gasoline, Meet Your Devil and Purple River are the standout tracks on the album. As Psychlona show such depth with their music by exploring other areas of music I didn’t expect to hear from them. The album is a wild ride in places whilst honouring the legendary sounds of the Stoner Rock/Metal scene. Maybe, the band have aimed BIG for this release and some parts even have mainstream or commercial rock appeal especially on the later stages of the album.

The final three songs of Jetplane, La Tolvanera and Warped offer eighteen minutes of free-flowing Stoner Rock/Metal attitude with the added approach of Seventies Classic Hard Rock sounds merging superbly with the Psych Rock vibes that Psychlona have laid down for this part of the album. Jetplane is another personal favourite of mine from the album. 

Throw in first class production values and this is the most fun journey and exciting album that Psychlona have released so far. Palo Verde is packed full of Stoner Rock anthems that could allow Palo Verde being one of the most defining Stoner Rock albums of the year. 

Awesome stuff….

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Richard at Sheltered LIfe PR for the promo.

Palo Verde will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Psycho Waxx from August 19th 2022.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Psychlona - Venus Skytrip (Album Review)

Release date: August 21st 2020. Label: Cursed Tongue Records / Ripple Music. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Wholly Other – Tracklisting

1.Blast Off
2.10,000 Volts
3.Blow
4.Star
5.Edge Of The Universe
6.Resin
7.Tijuana
8.The Owl

Members

Phil - Guitar/Vocals
Dave - Guitar/Vocals
Martyn - Bass
Scott - Drums

Review

Venus Skytrip is the 2nd full length album from UK Psychedelic Stoner Rockers Psychlona and this sees the band perhaps more aligned to the sounds of legendary Stoner Metallers Monster Magnet in more ways than one and I’m OK with that. As this album contains many themes from that great band whilst allowing Psychlona to run away with their own crazy Spaced Out ideas.

The sublime and psychedelic artwork of Kyrre Bjurling is being used yet again as it was on their debut album, Mojo Rising and will give you a great indication on what type of journey Psychlona will take you on this album.

The opening song – Blast Off – is loud, boisterous and brings on the Space Rock theme to the forefront of their style of Psychedelic Stoner Rock Metal. The vocals are maybe not what you expect at first but have their own own addictive charm with the music being the main standpoint here. The heavy guitars are always moving on to the next level of addictive FUZZ and the classic sounding 90s Stoner Metal sound is helped along by some killer choices of soundclips spliced throughout the song. A great song to open the album with.

Second song – 10,000 Volts – starts really slowly with an almost Blues Rock atmosphere taking over whilst remaining a claustrophobic style of Stoner Rock/Metal before the heavy riffs appear. This is a slow-burning song which moves along at it’s own pace but Psychlona do play a cool and heavy style of Psychedelic Rock. The song lasts for almost 8 minutes and Psychlona try a lot of different ideas on this song. The song can be too loud at times but it’s a song that demands your patience so just go along with the crazy ride that the band offer here and you’ll be quite surprised how this song ends up.

Third song – Blow – is another great song where the band start playing a cool sounding style of Desert Rock, Psych Rock and Stoner Rock merged into one weirdly heavy style of Spaced Out Rock goodness. The trippy and surreal lyrics feel inspired both by 60’s and 90’s Psychedelic Rock scenes but with a more aggressive modern Stoner Metal atmosphere holding everything together.

By now Psychlona are in control of their own destiny and it’s good to see the band leave the more Progressive style of songs behind and opt for a more straight-forward style of Stoner Metal that harks back to the day of Kyuss, Fu Manchu and Monster Magnet with the next couple songs with Star and Edge Of The Universe.

The final three songs – Resin, Tijuana and The Owl – returns to the earlier sounds of the album with Psychlona playing the heaviest and most far-out Psychedelic songs on the album with Resin and The Owl being the standout songs on the album.

Psychlona have aimed BIG for this album and they’ve delivered an album that is BIGGER, BOLDER and BETTER than their acclaimed debut album. The band have the mighty power of Cursed Tongue Records and Ripple Music helping to release their album and that’s a thrilling combination to help the band move onto the next level of their musical careers.

This album is explosive entertainment and will appeal to all fans of the Stoner Metal spectrum.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo. Venus Skytrip will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Cursed Tongue Records (Vinyl) and Ripple Music (CD/DD) from August 21st 2020.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

PSYCHLONA Premiere New Song Edge Of The Universe

PSYCHLONA are ready to unleash their second single Edge of the Universe which you can watch below. 

New album ‘Venus Skytrip' out August 21st via Ripple Music (CD and digital) and Cursed Tongue Records (vinyl).

TRACK LISTING:
1. Blast Off
2. 10,000 Volts
3. Blow
4. Star
5. Edge of the Universe
6. Resin
7. Tijuana
8. The Owl

It was in the summer of 2015 when the embryo of PSYCHLONA first started to develop in Yorkshire, Northern England. It's only three years later that the fully formed eight-legged groove machine released their debut album ‘Mojo Rising’ on Ripple Music and Cursed Tongue Records, then defended the latter on the connaisseur stages of Desertfest London, Fuzztival Denmark and HRH Doom v Stoner Festival, along with a full European tour.

Never a band to sit back and take things easy, writing for what would become the next album began in late 2019. The four disappeared into 'The Cave' for the winter, armed with beers, kebabs and a fistful of ideas for new music and didn't emerge until the job was done in the early months of 2020.

Bleary eyed in the early morning sun and with a desire to unleash the last few months efforts onto the unsuspecting public, 2020 was starting to shape up pretty good. Performances at various events including Freak Valley Festival, plus a UK and two European tours were confirmed, recording started and then... along came the virus which threw a spanner in everyone’s works. The band pushed as hard as possible and finally completed the album by the end of April. Despite life being postponed until 2021, the new record refused to wait and ‘Venus Skytrip’ was set for an August 21st, 2020 release, once again on Ripple Music and Cursed Tongue Records.

PSYCHLONA

Website⎪Facebook⎪Bandcamp⎪Instagram

RIPPLE MUSIC

Website⎪Facebook⎪Bandcamp⎪Instagram

CURSED TONGUE RECORDS

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Psychlona - Mojo Rising (Album Review)

Release date: November 30th 2018. Label: CursedTongueRecords (VinylOnly). Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Mojo Rising – Tracklisting

1.Stone 05:45

2.Ride 04:35

3.Down In The Valley 06:29

4.Big River 05:43

5.Your God 04:58

6.Juju 04:26

7.Black Dog 04:17

8.Beakfoot 09:01

Members

Phil - Guitar/Vocals

Dave - Guitar/Vocals

Martyn - Bass

Scott - Drums

Review

Mojo Rising originally came out in Feb 2018. It sort of passed me by. As it was released when a lot of great albums were being released. That’s not too say that this is a bad album. Far from it. It’s a great album. I just never had the time to listen to the album fully until now and that’s because the album is getting a vinyl release from in-form record label – Cursed Tongue Records.

So what can you expect from Mojo Rising and Psychlona’s blend of of Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Rock. Well the band add a heavy Space Rock sound to their music and it has a classic 70s Rock vibe firmly rooted within the band’s DNA. The album has it’s fair share of Progressive Rock and modern sounding Fuzz Rock to give Mojo Rising a vibe that’s becoming quite popular within the Doom/Stoner Metal community.

The album is a collection of great songs with the vocals taking some time to fully get used to. Though the lyrics are one of the best parts of the album. As the lyrics have a certain charm of their own especially as the band have written some OTT lyrics to match the heavy riffs on shown here.

The standout songs are: Stone, Ride, Down In The Valley, Juju, Black Dog and Beakfoot. As this is where Psychlona play the heaviest riffs on the album. If you’re a fan of Kyuss then you will find much to enjoy.

The only criticism that I have for the album is that it can be too laid-back at times for it’s own good. This is an album is perhaps best listening in the summer months and not the winter months that are currently upon us. However Psychlona know how to write a damn good tune that has some fantastic Spaced Out elements to them.

it’s good that Psychlona have signed to Cursed Tongue Records, as they will be gaining more exposure through the vinyl release as the album was sadly overlooked first time round. This will no doubt raise the band’s profile within the Doom/Stoner Rock community and perhaps see the band release some more cool sounding records in the future.

Overall, Mojo Rising is a highly accomplished debut album and will keep you entertained until the next Psychlona record arrives.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp