UK Tour News - Morass Of Molasses & Cybernetic Witch Cult Touring The UK

MOM ANNOUNCE NEW TOUR WITH CWC 

The Morass Of Molasses seemingly unending cycle of gigging since the release of their debut album ‘These Paths We Tread’ continues unabated with the ‘Cosmic Conquest Tour’. Once again they are joined for over half of it by Stoner-Rock-Space-Wizards Cybernetic Witch Cult. 

Due to start at the end of March, and go on through April, both bands will be road-testing new material to be featured on their next releases. 

‘Cosmic Conquest’ Tour Dates 

30.03.18 - The Carlisle, Hastings * 
31.03.18 - T-Chances, London* 
01.04.18 - The Hammer & The Anvil, Birmingham* 
05.04.18 - Bannermans, Edinburgh* 
07.04.18 - Temple of Boom, Leeds* 
08.04.18 - New Cross Inn, London* 
20.04.18 - The Rigger, Newcastle-under-lyme 
21.04.18 - The Underground, Bradford 
22.04.18 - The Firebug, Leicester 
27.04.18 - The Facebar, Reading 
28.04.18 - Rebellion, Manchester 

(*Shows with Cybernetic Witch Cult) 

Bones (vocalist & guitarist) had this to say; ‘Touring is our favourite proving-ground. It is where we try out the new ideas we’ve been throwing around in rehearsal. We never go into the studio, unless we’ve seen how the songs are received by an audience’

Morass Of Molasses links: 

My Leviathan' Video: https://youtu.be/F_cTjECbvZA 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorassOfMolasses
Bandcamp: https://morassofmolasses.bandcamp.com 

Cybernetic Witch Cult links: 

Cult Of The Druid' Video: https://youtu.be/RSrp5sTapl0 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cyberneticwitchcult/ 
Bandcamp: https://cyberneticwitchcult.bandcamp.com

GARGANJUA - Through The Void (Album Review)

Release date: April 2018 Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Through The Void – Tracklisting

Crushed Beneath The Tide

Adrift

Through The Void

A Distant Shore

Members

Scott- Guitars/Vocals

Gaz - Bass/Vocals

Gazz - Guitars

Ben - Drums

Review

I must have started to write this review then delete it all just to start again at least four or five times now.

I'm obviously no journalist, I'm just a chap who is lucky enough to be able to hear some of the best new heavy music that gets released year after year and all I have to do in return is to put into words what I thought of it.

Easy right?

Wrong....

Especially when you have bands like Garganjua releasing records like their phenomenal new album "Through The Void"

I'm lucky enough to be able to consider them friends and we have shared a stage together a few times now and they're all too humble when we tell them how good they are to actually listen to us. I'm pretty confident in saying that after the release of "Through The Void" they're going to have to start listening to an awful lot of people telling them much the same.

Garganjua have managed to release a frankly breath taking, mature, emotional and completely captivating record that in places is reminiscent of Pallbearer, Yob and Ahab. It's like being drawn into the sea by its beauty and then before you know it it's pulled you in and swept you away without a trace.

There are four tracks on offer here, but don't think you're being short changed as each and every track is pretty much a masterpiece in its own right. The perfect blend of clean heartfelt and low rumbling vocals, huge riffs that ebb and flow like the tide and a rhythm section that drives the chaos beautifully.

Standout tracks for me being the immense "Crushed Beneath The Tide" and the title track itself. The former being the album opener and being blessed with a riff that has no right to have that amount of swagger and groove on a doom record and the latter is now available as a video the band released as a thank you for hitting their Pledge Music target to get the vinyl release this album so richly needs.

I strongly suggest you click on the following link and go and listen to it now...

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1582219131874351&id=263223580440586

"Through The Void" is nothing short of a magnificent release and the band should be proud of what they're about to unleash on the world. Their Pledge campaign may have hit its goal but there is still time to add your name to the list and make sure you secure a copy of what's going to be one of the essential doom records of the year.

Words by Simon Williams

Through The Void will be released via their Pledge Music Campaign here in April 2018.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard/Slomatics - TOTEMS (Album Review)

Release date: March 2018. Label: Black Bow Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Totems – Tracklisting

(MWWB) The Master and His Emissary

(MWWB) Eagduru

(SLO) Ancient Architects

(SLO) Silver Ships Into The Future

(SLO) Master's Descent

Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard - Members

Jessica Ball

James Carrington

Wez Leon

Paul Davies

Slomatics - Members

Chris Couzens - Guitar

David Majury - Guitar

Marty Harvey - Drums/Vocals

Review

Fuck.

This. Is. Incredible.

I wouldn't have necessarily put these two together as bands that would put a split out, but as soon as you hear it, it's makes perfect sense that they did. And thank goodness they did.

MWWB kick off proceedings with just two tracks (still over 20 minutes combined) vs the three that Slomatics have contributed.

Opening track "The Master And His Emissary" is nothing short of perfect. Two minutes of droning repetitive synth (I genuinely mean that as a compliment) which suddenly gives way to FUCKING MASSIVE RIFFS, which build in momentum and structure as the song progresses and the distinctive and ethereal vocals cover the FUCKING MASSIVE RIFFS in swathes of melody for the best part of 12 minutes. Lovely stuff.

2nd track "Eagduru" follows suit and by the time it's all over if you're anything like me you'll find yourself reaching towards the repeat button.

But before you get a chance here comes Belfast's Slomatics with their own equally FUCKING MASSIVE RIFFS BUT FROM SPACE, as they start where their Welsh chums left off.

"Ancient Architects" is ace and the perfect way to introduce a slight change in the Slomatics sound as we see (or hear) the synth start to play a more prominent role in the bands sound. Everything else that you would expect is present and correct, those soaring vocals, concussive drumming and of course FUCKING MASSIVE RIFFS BUT FROM SPACE all play a part here.

"Silver Ships To The Future" makes for a nice interlude before the record closes with what I actually think is the best song Slomatics have ever written. It's definitely my favourite.

"Master's Descent" is an absolute joy from start to finish. About halfway through the song, just when I was expecting (and hoping) to be bludgeoned with another FUCKING MASSIVE RIFF BUT FROM SPACE Slomatics throw a massive curve ball...

The synth pops back up whilst the dual guitars hammer away beneath it and then there's a female vocal which is Jessica from MWWB making an appearance. It repeats, and builds and builds to a glorious crescendo that left me grinning form ear to ear desperate for more. Honestly. I'm pretty sure this is their masterpiece and if this is a sign of things to come I can't wait to hear more.

"Totems" is an absolute beast of a release that showcases two of the best bands in action today and both delivering probably their best material to date.

Don't be foolish and get over to Black Bow Records now and pre-order a copy because you'll kick yourself if you miss this.

Words by Simon Williams

Thanks to Curtis at Dewar PR for the promo. Totems will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Black Bow Records from March 2018.

MWWB Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Slomatics Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Conjurer - MIRE (Album Review)

Release date: February 23^rd 2018. Label: Holy Roar Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

MIRE – Tracklisting

CHOKE

HOLLOW

THANKLESS

RETCH

THE MIRE

OF FLESH WEAKER THAN ASH

HADAL

Members

Dan Nightingale {Vocals/Guitar}

Brady Deeprose {Vocals/Guitar}

Jan Krause {Drums}

Conor Marshall {Bass}

Review

Editor's Note - Simon who is reviewing this album is the bassist from UK Doom/Sludge Metal crew - GREENHORN

After what seems to have been a relatively quiet time for probably the UK's most prolific live act these last few months, we can expect to be seeing and hearing a lot more about them again in the coming months. And with good cause.

Before we go any further I feel I need to be honest on my previous thoughts on Conjurer because "Mire" has given me what I believe is called a moment of clarity.

I'd been fortunate enough to see them play live on a couple of occasions (and less fortunate that due to scheduling I've had to play after them. Can't recommend it.) and like everyone else who's ever seen them have always been blown away and left feeling... well left feeling like I've been violated by their sheer ferocity.

I was also fortunate enough to review their EP which at the time I loved. But the more I listened to it, the less I loved it. I can't quite put my finger on it, but to me I felt like perhaps it was too much. Too heavy, too aggressive and after its initial impact, I struggled with repeated listens.

Well I can tell you this for nothing. Repeated listens is no problem here. Other than to the detriment of the rest of my record collection...

Conjurer have employed incredible use of dynamics, touches of light and shade, sublime vocal interplay and even a few clean vocals to result in a genuinely phenomenal and emotive experience.

Sure that ferocity that you're expecting and that you get live is still very much present and correct, but when it's needed Conjurer don't shy away from dialling things back a notch, which ultimately makes the pay off that much greater when it kicks back in.

The first three tracks, "Choke" "Hollow" and "Thankless" set out their mission statement for the album pretty succinctly.

Showing their influences but without ever simply mimicking them, there are nods to black metal, death metal, grindcore and of course the sludge/doom scene that they find themselves perhaps most closely associated with. Touching on most genres of extreme metal, but always retaining their own identity. The biggest compliment I can give is to say that,Conjurer sound like Conjurer.

For me standout tracks are the magnificently spiteful "Retch" and the closing track "Hadal" which is impossible for me to listen to in the car anymore for fear of setting off an airbag as I try and (badly and indignantly) drum along on the dashboard.

The first time I listened to "Mire" in full, I found myself being a little surprised at how much I enjoyed it. As I reached to switch the playlist on my phone and listen to something else I was even more surprised when I couldn't bring myself to do it. So I just played it again. And again. And again...

And if you buy the record when it comes out via the incredible Holy Roar you'll find yourself doing exactly the same.

Words by Simon Williams

Thanks to Lisa at Hold Tight PR for the promo. MIRE will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Holy Roar Records from February 23rd 2018.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Outlaws Of The Sun Top Albums Of 2017

Here is the "official" Outlaws Of The Sun Top 25 Albums of 2017. Same process that we used for last year. Mainly using the similar process that The Doom Charts use on a monthly basis.

So thanks to Simon, Håkan, Gavin, Bruno, Simon Ohlsson and Todd for their great lists and for the hard work the whole team have put in over the last twelve months.

1.Elder - Reflections Of A Floating World
2.Mastodon - Emperor Of Sand
3.Ufomammut - 8
4.Monolord - Rust
5.The Obsessed -Sacred
6.Vokonis - The Sunken Djinn
7.Telekinetic Yeti - Abominable
8.Lowflyinghawks - Genkaku
9.OHHMS - The Fool
10.Vinnum Sabbathi - Gravity Works
11.Spaceslug - Time Travel Dilemma
12.Forming The Void - Relic
13.Summoner - Beyond The Realm Of Light
14.Samsara Blues Experiment - One With The Universe
15.Spirit Adrift - Curse Of Conception
16.Converge - The Dusk In Us
17.Iron Monkey - 9-13
18.Howling Giant - Black Hole Space Wizard, Part 2
19.HARK - Machinations
20.In The Company Of Serpents - Ain-Soph Aur
21.Spidergawd - IV
22.With The Dead - Love From With The Dead
23.Pallbearer - Heartless
24.Amen-Ra - Mass VI
25.Beastmaker - Inside The Skull

Simon Williams - Best Albums Of 2017

1.Converge - The Dusk In Us
2.Mastadon - Emperor Of Sand
3.Ohhms - The Fool
4.Tuskar - Andnshdhdjshdhoid
5.Vokonis - The Sunken Djinn
6.Dead Witches - Ouija
7.Pallbearer - Heartless
8.Barrabus - Barrabus
9/Pyresehip - The Liars Bend Low
10/Diesel King - #gofuckyourselves
11.Monolord - Rust
12.Hotel Wrecking City Traders - Passage To Agartha
13.Yanomamo - Neither Man Nor Beast

Chosen by Simon Williams

Throneless - Cycles (Album Review)

Release date: March 23^rd 2018. Label: Black Bow Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Cycles - Tracklisting

1.Born in Vain 09:43

2.Cycles 09:12

3.Senseless 06:29

4.Oracle 14:05

Members

Johan Burman - drums

Johan Sundén - guitar

Patrik Sundberg - bass

Review

Holy shit. This is heavy as fuck and no messing. It makes perfect sense being signed to Black Bow Records as well, as to quickly summarise the bands sound, it has elements of Conan. And Slomatics. With the occasional vocal nod to "Come My Fanatics" era Wizard. But all set in space.

Four ridiculously heavy tracks, with only one song being under 9 minutes (and the album closer is nearly quarter of an hour just on its own)

First track "Born In Vain" really sets out what Throneless are about. Soaring vocals, hypnotic drumming and riffs heavier than a post Klitschko, Tyson Fury.

For me though it's with the second track "Cycle's" that the record really starts to come into its on.

A quietly played lone guitar (also sounding like it's from space) playing a calm picked refrain, as the drums join and the bass enters the fray for a minute or two before the track starts in earnest, with layers of fuzz being added to the main riff.

Third and my personal favourite track on the album "Senseless" is the shortest of the four songs on offer, and as such is probably the most aggressive and introduces almost an element of spite in to the song writing. Which I love.

Fourth and final track "Oracle" slows proceedings back down as Throneless lurch their way of fourteen minutes of absolutely punishing doom, as the track tails of at the end leaving ears wringing in its wake.

It took me a listen or two to probably fully appreciate this record the first time I heard it. The first thing you'll notice is just how heavy the whole things is (I think I've mentioned before this is quite the heavy album yeah?) but after that, some of the less obvious subtleties and talented songwriting start to move more to the fore, making this one of the most enjoyable and surprising records I've had the pleasure of hearing this year.

Words by Simon Williams

Thanks to Curtis at Dewar PR for the promo. Cycles will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Black Bow Records from March 23^rd 2018.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Diesel King - #GOFUCKYOURSELVES (EP Review)

Release date: June 23rd 2017. Label: APF Records. Format: CD/DD

#GOFUCKYOURSELVES – Tracklisting

1.Declaration 03:46

2.Cut The Cord 03:58

3.Skin Graft 03:03

4.Bonus Track 05:11

Band Members

Mark O'Regan - Vocals

Geoff Foden - Guitar

Aled Marc - Guitar

Will Wichanski - Bass

Bill Jacobs - Drums

Review

It's new Diesel King.

I fucking LOVE Diesel King

Honestly.

They're my favourite band I'm not in.

Three original tracks and a Phil Collins cover.

What's not to love?

10/10...

Now #GoFuckYourselves.

Words by Simon Ross Williams

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Under - Slick (Album Review)

Release date: May 31st 2017. Label: APF Records. Format: CD/DD

Slick – Tracklisting

1.Mirth Of Crows 02:43

2.Innards 04:57

3.Tended Ones 04:14

4.Tip Creature 03:56

5.Home 03:27

6.Slump 05:11

7.Straw Man 03:30

8.Worst To Come 04:50

9.Below In The Wreck 06:04

Band Members:

Andy Preece – Drums and Vocals

Matt Franklin – Bass and Vocals

Simon Mayo – Guitar and Vocals

Review

So here we have the debut release on APF Records.

For those of you not in the know APF is the brainchild and result of two years behind the scenes work of Andrew "Satan" Field.

Whilst we don't know each other particularly well (we met once at a Greenhorn show in Manchester and we were both VERY drunk) I know well enough the Mr Field is a staple of the North West scene and a HUGE supporter of underground music across the UK full stop.

He's pretty much the kinda guy you want running a label. Someone who's passionate about the music and not just looking to make a quick buck without giving anything back. He's already got an impressive roster with the likes of Blind Haze and Bong Cauldron on the books.

But this review is really about Under and their (as far as I know debut) release Slick.

The first thing that grabs you about it is the incredible artwork courtesy of Alan O'Neil. It's bold and garish and pretty much a neon nightmare. It's fucking awesome is what it is.

Pressing click on the first track "A Mirth Of Crows" I was a little taken by surprise by what came out of the speakers. In fact I even checked that the download was correct. It was. I'm not going to give too much away but it's gloriously mad and I promise you'll enjoy it.

Slick is by no means any easy release to digest. By the time I'd listened through the first time I wasn't sure. There was plenty that I loved and plenty that I wasn't sure about. But with repeated listens I started to get it. Like really get it.

Standout tracks for me being "Home" "Straw Man" and my favourite the brooding and oppressive "Tip Creature"

The album as a whole features elements of disgusting sludge, mad time signature's and harsh (and really fucking harsh) vocals. There's no fat on any of the tracks. Everything that's there is there for a reason.

I would liken this record to an aural equivalent of a season of The Walking Dead. There's a few bits and bobs that initially you're not sure about, but the conclusion not only makes it worth it, but puts the bits you weren't sure about into context and fully appreciate it as a whole.

Sometimes you put a record on and immediately you're into it, but over time that initial impact fades and it doesn't live up to all that early promise. Sometimes a record, works its way into your subconscious and crawls under (you see what I did there?) your skin and firmly implants itself there. And that's what Under have done with this record.

I'd fully recommend you pick up a copy as soon as you can...

Words by Simon Ross Williams

Thanks to APF Records for the promo. Slick is now available to buy on CD/DD now via APF Records.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

BARRABUS - S/T (Album Review)

Release date: June 09th 2017. Label: Undergroove Records. Format: CD/DD

Barrabus – S/T – Tracklisting

My Nightmare As A Reality TV Contestant

The Trials Of Joseph Merrick

Master Of Disguise

Porn!

Kleptomania

Behind Closed Doors

Preop

In League With Vader

This Is The End

Band Members:

Paul Catten (Vox / Electronics / Theremin)

Mark Seddon (Vox / Guitars / Noise)

Matt Keen (Vox / Bass )

Adam Evans (Vox / Drums)

Review

I can't lie to you. I'm a HUGE fan of pretty much anything Paul Catten is involved in. I all but stalked Murder One back in the day, and The Sontaran Experiment is another favourite of mine. That said I missed out on Barrabus the first time round for whatever reason so I was more than a little pleased when this turned up for me to review.

There were some little teaser videos doing the rounds about a month ago featuring no more than 30 seconds of music (which turns out to be roughly half of my favourite song on the record) which nicely whetted my appetite for more...

Opening track "My Nightmare As A Reality TV Contestant" starts of with a nice percussive riff with vocals that sound like they're going through a megaphone, before the song fully bursts into life just past the minute mark. It effortlessly lurches from one frenetic section to the next before it's closing and repeated vocal refrain "This show will be the death of me..."

Next up we get the 1.19 "The Trails Of Joseph Merrick" the song from the teaser video. I'll be honest when I first saw the video I was hooked. Again it switches through styles and aggression levels as it violently propels itself towards its conclusion. Special mention for the fucking feral vocals at the 0.29 second mark. Every time I hear it I immediately want to lose my shit to it.

In a genre (though I'm not sure this is technically a "sludge" record) were there are few very distinctive vocalists surely Paul Catten has to be amongst the greats. Morrow and Mike IX essentially...

The rest of the record thematically follows suit. Songs come and go never outstaying their welcome, moving through tempo, style and ferocity as the mood takes them. All in all this great self titled record is a fantastic release, chock full of excellent musicianship, a great production and a refreshing approach to songwriting as there are no generic formula's followed here.

A must have record.

Words by Simon Ross Williams

Thanks to Simon at I Like Press for the promo. Barrabus – S/T will be available to buy on CD/DD via Undergroove Records from June 9^th 2017.

Links:

Facebook

Mastodon - Emperor Of Sand (Album Review)

Release date: March 31st 2017. Label: Reprise Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Emperor Of Sand – Tracklisting

Sultan's Curse
Show Yourself
Precious Stones
Steambreather
Roots Remain
Word To The Wise
Ancient Kingdom
Clandestiny
Andromeda
Scorpion Breath
Jaguar God

Members:

Brann Dailor - Drums and Vocals

Brent Hinds - Guitar and Vocals

Bill Kelliher - Guitar

Troy Sanders - Bass and Vocals

Review

Mastodon to me truly exemplify what a progressive band sounds like.

It's not just about huge song lengths and mad time signature's and wearing a Wizards cape whilst you perform your new songs 13 minute long keyboard solo (although obviously all that stuff is fucking ace), it's about having a body of work that twists and turns but never loses that quintessential "something" that made you fall in love with them in the first place.

Sure, we all love Remission and to me (and probably lots of other people) Leviathan is a stone cold classic, but in their new record Emperor Of Sand, Mastodon have released what I was originally going to say is their best record since Crack The Skye but after a few listens I honestly believe is their best record. Full. Stop.

They've gone from writing songs like the incredibly heavy Mother Puncher and Iron Tusk to songs like Show Yourself which will undoubtedly get everyone all worked up about it's "pop" sensibilities and arena filling chorus. But what's wrong with that? Every band that releases a record wants it to sell and to attract new listeners and I call bullshit on anyone who says otherwise.

The album is certainly the most aggressive they have released for a while and the mix really accentuates the bowel troubling riffs and thunderous drumming, but also really let's the incredible vocals shine through.

The vocals are certainly one of the standout features throughout, but to be honest with, basically three vocalists and Mastodon's song writing pedigree you probably shouldn't expect any less. There are so many vocal hooks on this album it's ridiculous... Like a screw fix direct warehouse...

Perfect examples of this being on the back to back tracks Steambreather and Roots Remain. The former coming in on a bit of fuzz and a hypnotic and driving riff which is a call back throughout, and the latter delivers a HUGE chorus from out of nowhere which literally gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.

The album closes on another immense track Jaguar God which is a slow burner, but builds and builds veering almost into Porcupine Tree like territories before unleashing a solo that will probably see guitarists everywhere immediately selling theirs....

Mastodon have got to a point now where they have become very divisive. I've seen a fair few people now moaning about the new direction and the lack of full on grunt we got in some of their earlier works, but equally just as many people who share my view that the band have evolved and progressed throughout their career and in Emperor Of Sand have released a very, very special record. A record that is instinctively Mastodon and a record that in my opinion will be looked back on as a benchmark in years to come.

Words by Simon Ross Williams

Emperor Of Sand is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl now.

Links:

Official | Facebook | Twitter

GREENHORN - The Narrator (Single Review)

Release date: March 12th 2017. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

The Narrator – Tracklisting

The Narrator

Band Members

Sid

AJ

Mandy

Review

Greenhorn's epic new track – The Narrator – sees the band experimenting with their sound from previous releases. Greenhorn move into Post-metal territory at the start of the song. Though the band still include their familiar style of filth-ridden Doom/Sludge Metal riffs. The song has a YOB-esque feel to it especially with the heavy instrumental parts of the song.

Some people maybe initially disappointed that Greenhorn have moved away from their standard sound but you have to give them credit for trying some brave and highly experimental. It's a gamble that has paid off big time as this is perhaps their most grown-up song that they have released yet. It's a more focused and determined song as the clean vocals add a gloomier atmosphere.

With SID being part of the writing team here at OOTS, he kindly let me hear earlier versions of the track. So I've heard this track a few times now. Mainly the instrumental version and then the final version with the vocals. I was blown away when this was purely an instrumental track as the band move into Pallbearer doom and gloom territory. Though Greenhorn wouldn't be Greenhorn without the brutal vocals making an appearance.

Low and behold, SID turns into a demented madman with his brutal growls. The song then moves into the realm of Prog Rock with flashes of Blues Rock and Stoner Rock making an appearance. If this is the new sound of Greenhorn then I'm all for it. The Narrator contains their classic doom sounds but with a more experimental vibe and it's a song that will be playing in your head for days. Wait until you experience the epic solos towards the end of the song.

Greenhorn have excelled themselves here. I've heard rumblings that this will be released on Vinyl in the near future. If it does then it's a must have purchase.

For a band once described as “MAY WELL BE THE FUTURE OF BRITISH DOOM” by Terrorizer Magazine, The Narrator has the potential to launch Greenhorn amongst their more established and well known colleagues within the UK Doom Metal scene.

Awesome. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp