Gnarwhal - Circuits (Single Review)

Release Date: September 10th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Circuits - Tracklisting

Circuits

Members

Mark Kilbride (vocals)

Benji Straker (guitar and vocals)

Jeremy Straker (bass and vocals)

Layne Rybchinski (drums and percussion)

Review.

Circuits is the latest single from powerhouse Sludge/Stoner Metallers Gnarwhal that is from their upcoming new album due for release in March 2026. The record is a decidedly more progressive song compared to their previous releases. This song is boosted by epic Progressive Sludge sounds with air of Post-Stoner heaviness with the added layers of trippy Psychedelic melodies. Gnarwhal fuses Post-Rock, Doomgaze and Ambient vibes into the backdrop of distorted FUZZY passages. 

There are elements of bands such as BARONESS, MASTODON and YOB spliced into the mix but GNARWHAL still conjure up their own highly powerful and wonderfully polished sound. The vocals are EPIC with a clean, clear and crisp performance by lead vocalist Mark Kilbride. There’s a haunting Alt Metal presence within Mark’s vocals with the rest of the band conjuring up intense Sludge/Stoner grooves that have a subtle riff-centric approach.

On this evidence alone, Gnarwhal have genuinely made me excited to hear their upcoming full length album which could endear them even further to the Sludge/Stoner Metal underground community.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

 

Links

http://gnarwhalband.com

http://facebook.com/gnarmusic
http://instagram.com/gnarwhalsounds
https://gnarwhalband.bandcamp.com

Prophets Of Thwaites - Tharlab (Single Review)

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

Tharlab - Tracklisting

Tharlab

Members

Cosmo Wassenaar -- Drums

Ferry Vermeeren - Bass

Esma Larabi - Guitar & Vocals

Review

Tharlab is the latest single from Doom/Stoner Rockers Prophets Of Thwaites who have been building up a steady collection of haunting tracks since the start of 2025. With their intriguing mix of Doom, Stoner, Grunge, Post-Rock, Shoegaze and Psychedelic elements the band draw upon influences such as WINDHAND, HUM, YOB and FRAYLE. The music is quite slow-moving to begin with before exploring a LOUD WALL OF PSYCHEDELIC NOISE before the song is over. 

However, Prophets Of Thwaites offer moments of and multi-layered Post-Rock/Post-Metal harmonies which is centred around Esma Larabi’s haunting vocals and quietly pitched guitars. 

Cosmo Wassenaar on Drums and Ferry Vermeeren on Bass provide excellent and understated support with an intense backline where they provide a muscular and aggressive presence when the heavy Gloomy FUZZ instances of ATMOSPHERIC DOOM appear. The song taps into the epic form of storytelling with this track lasting over eight minutes with moments of sullen Blues Rock with jazzy interludes of quiet momentum which allows Esma’s vocals to fully shine through.

Tharlab is quite a clever and superbly constructed track with Prophets Of Thwaites masterfully combining the “LIGHT vs DARK” moments of Doomgaze and Stoner Metal with destructive melodies leading the way before everything is said and done.

Prophets Of Thwaites are perhaps playing the long game in releasing their debut release but they do sure have the talent to make themselves known within the underground scene. Check this out when you can as you’ll be surprised at what you’ll hear with the great tracks that Prophets Of Thwaites have released so far.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

Organic Green Monster Machine - Slippery Elm (Single Review)

Release Date: July 25th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Slippery Elm - Tracklisting

Slippery Elm

Members

Scotty Heytch - drums/guitar/bass/synth

Dave James - vox/bass/acoustic guitar

Review

Slippery Elm is the latest single from Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers Organic Green Monster Machine. I reviewed their debut single Long Distant Daze back in October 2023. The band have relessed a couple more tracks since then but I had to review Slippery Elm as it seems they’ve matured into a heavier, soulful and cosmic band with a Prog Rock and Grunge based dynamic.

The song is more Progressive with a subtle Post-Doom and Post-Sludge energy appearing with Organic Green Monster Machine blending 1970’s Hard Rock and 1990’s Grunge with a heavy Sludge/Stoner Metal dynamic taking influence from the likes of KING BUFFALO, SOUNDGARDEN, HOWLING GIANT, KYUSS and BLACK SABBATH. There’s quite an interesting Fuzz Rock dynamic weaving through the finer points of Doom, Prog Rock and Shoegaze elements which gives this track a freakish and space rock attitude.

Organic Green Monster Machine are a duo but the overall sound they create within Slippery Elm feels like this has been written and played by a band with more members. The synths from Scotty Heytch and Dave James’s vocals are my favourite aspects of the whole track. As it’s quite destructive and grounded in equal measure. 

With the band hard at work on their debut EP, Organic Green Monster Machine have got my full undivided attention. As this is a superbly realized track throughout, the production values aren’t the best but it allows the whole thing to be played with real aggressive intent and sludgy distorted melodies of the highest order. 

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Astral Goat Dominion - Lucifer (Part 1) (Single Review)

Release Date: June 06th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Lucifer (Part 1) - Tracklisting

Lucifer (Part 1)

Review

Italian Doom/Stoner Metallers Astral Goat Dominion released their first track LUCIFER (PART 1) from their upcoming debut album which will be released in Autumn 2025. The track is a downbeat and down-tuned offering inspired by the likes of Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard and SUNN O))). You'll be surprised at how quickly the band becomes fully obsessed by the OCCULT and DRONE realms whilst keeping with a sudden shift into desolate Desert/Stoner Rock grooves.

If you ever wondered what KYUSS and BLACK SABBATH would sound like if they were taken over by a SATANIC CULT then Astral Goat Dominion is perhaps the deranged result. The production values are quite LO-FI in places but gives Astral Goat Dominion quite a threatening sound which will no doubt sound even better, bigger and grander on their upcoming debut album.

Lucifer (Part 1) has got me excited to hear more from Astral Goat Dominion and I will no doubt be reviewing subsequent releases from the band as they've seriously gained my attention.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Black Sunrise - Running Out Of Time (Single Review)

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

Running Out Of Time - Tracklisting

Black Sunrise

Members

Billy Mayer

Tommy Mayer

Jason Zlamal

Adam Carl

John Hehman

Review

Running Out Of Time is the latest single from Stoner Rockers Black Sunrise which has a heavy Grunge attitude with the band merging from classic soundscapes played out by the likes of SOUNDGARDEN and ALICE IN CHAINS. Black Sunrise adds a level of Black Sabbath and KYUSS style of Stoner Heaviness along the way which goes into Sludge Rock surroundings. 

With a massive sideline of frenzied Classic Hard Rock guitars that is buried within 1980’s Heavy Rock excess which allows Black Sunrise to be quite “RETRO” and thoroughly modern at the same time. The last stage of the track is where the “REAL MAGIC” happens when a killer Psych/Fuzz Metal sound comes out of nowhere to lead the song into a highly destructive wall of LOUD SLUDGY GUITARS and great vocals to match.

I don’t know if this song is leading up to an EP or full length record though Black Sunrise have already released a superb song Bar Fight already in July 2025 but this is the one that impressed me the most and I most definitely want to hear more. The song may only last under four minutes but this promises a lot of great things that are no doubt coming our way from Black Sunrise if they keep releasing great tracks such as this.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Buzzards Of Babylon - Ancient Machine (Single Review)

Release Date: July 19th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Ancient Machine - Tracklisting

Ancient Machine

Members

Dragonius Maximus - Vocals

Reverend Sludge Skull - Guitar

Breengemeister General - Guitar

Ragnar Thunderbucket - Bass

Ljotulf, Harbinger of Doom - Drums

Review

Ancient Machine is the new single from Scottish Doom/Stoner Rockers Buzzards Of Babylon who play a down and dirty version of good old fashioned Stoner Rock with the emphasis on AGGRESSIVE MUSCULAR RIFFS played by the likes of DOWN, CLUTCH, BLACK SABBATH, KYUSS and SOUNDGARDEN. There’s nothing groundbreaking with the song but Buzzards Of Babylon do their own highly respectable take of that classic and winning formula of Grunge, Southern Rock and Stoner Metal. 

The vocals from Dragonius Maximus are forged from the “BEER SWILLING WASTELANDS” of Scotland though their overall sound has wider underground appeal especially when they play a dirtier and thrasher style of music at the very end. The sound is quite chaotic but the riffs and grooves are plentiful with plenty of distorted FUZZ to show you they mean business. 

This is the second single from Buzzards Of Babylon with Molten Bigfoot being released back in May 2025. I’m hopeful for an EP or full length record being released down the line. As the two tracks they’ve released so far has shown how the band have changed for the better since their 2018 debut album Micrometeoroid Modulation which had some superb THUGGISH bangers throughout. 

If you like your Stoner Rock/Metal with a bit of legendary NOLA attitude then Ancient Machine is the perfect track to get your heartbeat pumping and raise your fists in the air with wild and reckless abandonment.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | LinkTree

Circle Of Rhinos - Circle Of Rhinos (Single Review)

Release Date: July 10th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Circle Of Rhinos - Tracklisting

Circle Of Rhinos

Members

Francesco Zarini - lead and rhythmic guitar

Alessandro Santori - rhythmic guitar

Roberto Gatti - Bass

Jeanpaul Federico - Drums

Review

Psych/Stoner Rockers Circle Of Rhinos new self-titled single is from their upcoming new album where they blend Doom, Stoner, Blues and Psychedelic grooves which merge Classic Hard Rock sounds with today’s modern heavy approach. The song is quite riff-centric and follows a different path to band member Alessandro Santori’s other band being L’IRA DEL BACCANO. The music is not as progressive or cosmic based as L’IRA DEL BACCANO with Circle Of Rhinos focusing upon bands such as Thin Lizzy, Karma To Burn, Nebula, Earthless and Black Sabbath.

The Blues Rock approach is quite appealing throughout with the band adding levels of Ambient Rock, Desert Rock and Post-Stoner melodies which lean heavily into Prog Rock delivery. Circle Of Rhinos keep the mood warm hearted and deeply engaging even when the thunderous HEAVY ROCK atmosphere is dominated by sludgier passages which sets the laying down a trail of highly explosive instrumental solos right upto the very end.

The song has a distinctive Garage Rock energy which allows the sound not to be over-polished within the superbly realized production values used for the track. Things are looking good for Circle Of Rhinos upcoming new album and I’m quite excited to hear that record when it’s actually released. 

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Dope Skum - Hollow Point (Single Review)

Release Date: July 04th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Hollow Point - Tracklisting

Hollow Point

Members

Cody Landress-Gibson (guitar/vocals)

Scott Keil (drums)

Review

Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers Dope Skum return with the blazing and rebellious new single Hollow Point which is from their upcoming new EP “Hollerwood” due for release on Sept 5th 2025. The single itself is a slightly different sound with the band adding an “Americana” and “Blues Rock” vibe into their mix of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal. There’s an authentic WEEDIAN and DOWN-TUNED energy to the record with Dope Skum playing a fast-paced style of music where they even find the time to add small doses of Country Music which allows their “Appalachian” roots to fully shine through.

The song is a very good song indeed and showcases how Dope Skum have matured a great deal since their last record with Hollow Point. As the writing is better, music is tighter and the whole track is perhaps their most impressive to date. Sure, there’s still elements of LO-FI sludgy atmospherics heard on their previous records but Dope Skum show that they mean business and Hollerwood could be a game changer for them.

Hollow Point is another top-notch track from Dope Skum and I can’t wait to hear Hollerwood when it’s finally released.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Burning Sister - Dead Love (Single Review And Exclusive Song Premiere)

Release Date: July 08th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Dead Love - Tracklisting

Dead Love - 7:20

Members

Steve Miller - Bass, Synth, Vox

Alison Salutz - Drums

Review

Burning Sister return with their latest venture into “HIGH DOWNER ROCK” territory with the new single Dead Love which features another aggressive style of smoked up FUZZY atmospherics spliced with trippy Doom/Stoner Metal melodies. This time round the band conjure up a Proto-Metal style of music with elements of Garage Rock which is quite different to their last song of Lethe//Oblivion.

The stripped back energy has a more dynamic presence with Burning Sister just being a bass and drums type of band for this current moment in time. This may change in the future if they decide to add another guitarist into the mix. For now, Dead Love allows Burning Sister to operate with seedy Psychedelics with a sound that has a slight Monster Magnet (TAB era) influence with layers of frenzied sludgy sounds.

Steve Miller’s appear sporadically throughout the song and even then their brief and straight to the point. Alison Salutz excels on drums by putting in a measured and commanding performance. Steve’s bass playing has a subtle Space Rock energy when compared to his sublime Synths that dominate the Space Rock landscape. 

Once again, Burning Sister moves away from the sound they created on their acclaimed 2022 album “Mile High Downer Rock”. Dead Love has a more gloomier environment with catchy, aggressive and subversive melodies being quite progressive that sees Burning Sister drifting ever closer to the promised land of HIGH DOWNER ROCK and creating something original and special indeed. 

This is another outstanding slice of Doom/Stoner Metal from one of the coolest bands currently within the underground scene and why their upcoming new album due for release later this year is perhaps my most anticipated album of the year. 

Burning Sister have kindly allowed me to premiere the song in full which you can watch below.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Burning Sister for everything.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

CROP - Alone (Single Review)

Release Date: May 29th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Alone - Tracklisting

Alone

Review

Alone is the new single from Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metallers CROP forthcoming new album S.S.R.I and it’s quite a hard-hitting homage to bands such as DOWN, CROWBAR, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY and bands from the NOLA scene in general. However, there’s a subversive Post-Doom, Grunge and Post-Metal attitude starting to form behind the cracks of the bleak lyrics that form a brutal creative narrative which allows this to be CROP’s heaviest song to date.

The song is quite melodic despite the harsh sludgy guitars injecting a subtle mix of grounded realism and progressive vibes which appear on the latest stages of Alone. This song is primarily about ADDICTION and is perhaps one of the most personal tracks the band have written.

However, CROP perform with a much needed vitality and resonance to their music which becomes more real when the atmosphere changes into a heavier and fuzz laden landscape with moments of Psychedelic heaviness reminding me of early-era Alice In Chains. 

Overall. Alone is an absolutely outstanding track backed up by excellent production values that may have put S.S.R.I as one of the best albums to look forward to in the incoming months when it's released in August 2025.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

LinkTree | BandCamp