Mississippi Bones - Maladroit Blues For The Colorblind (Album Review)

Release Date: September 08th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Maladroit Blues for the Colorblind - Tracklist

1.Elvis Stressly: The King Of Rock And Woe

2.If Failure Is A Learning Experience, I Should Be A Genius 03:50

3.The Owls Asked Me, “Who?”

4.Hornswaggled By Consumer Culture, Again

5.Void, Holy Night

6.A Penny For My Thoughts, And Other Common Investment Blunders

7.Thoughts On The Finer Points Of Lesser Things

8.The Feral Philosophers

9.Is That A Wunderkammer In Your Foyer, Or Are You Just Haughty To See Me?

10.Expect Disappointment And I’ll Never Let You Down

11.This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things

Members

Jared Collins

Dusty Donley

Review

Blues/Doom/Stoner Rockers Mississippi Bones return with their eighth album Maladroit Blues For The Colorbllind and it sees the band return to their creative roots whilst forging an exciting chapter for themselves at the same time. The record has a stripped back attitude with Mississippi Bones going back to basics with how the music has been produced, recorded and ultimately delivered here on the final product. 

The end result is a high voltage and hard rocking affair where the guys play a great style of Delta Blues, Grunge, Southern Rock, Psych, Doom and Stoner Rock passion which has a deceptive Americana quality way of life appearing within the lyrics. This is Mississippi Bones at their most daring and brutally honest than we’ve ever heard them. However, they’re also brilliantly funny with some laugh out lyrics appearing to lighten the mood. Look at the song titles which has always been one of the great things the band have shown over the extent of their impressive career.

The songs have a great organic sound and energy to them with a murky Grunge vibe being quite deceiving where the music suddenly changes from full on Heavy Rock to Semi Acoustic instrumental passages. Sometimes this feels like Mississippi Bones have been listening to the records they grew up with and this is perhaps why you can hear influences such as Johnny Cash, Alice In Chains Soundgarden, Black Sabbath, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, KISS, Clutch, Cactus and Led Zepp but I could be overthinking things there. 

You’ll be surprised at how freaky, fuzzy, psychedelic and distorted that Maladroit Blues For The Colorblind can actually be as Mississippi Bones play different styles of Heavy Rock/Metal and Delta Blues for different songs contained on the album. Though, each played with the same level of great talent throughout. Sure, it can be way over the top but that doesn’t stop Mississippi Bones allowing the listener to have such a damn good time where they play some Classic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal sounds that will have you headbanging in time at all.

I wanted to do a song-by-song review for this album but there’s a lot to cover with this record and I would have been here for days on end. If you want a record that goes through multiple and different genres of the Heavy Rock spectrum whilst keeping that core “Blues Rock” sound that can be even full on Doom Rock then transforming into a sullen Country Rock number then Maladroit Blues For The Colorblind is the album for you.

The lyrics are constantly engaging which shows the band’s emotional thoughts and playful humour with that masterful storytelling element that’s only become one of the best things to fully emerge from Mississippi Bones over the last few albums of late. 

Here are my favourite tracks from the album: Elvis Stressly: The King Of Rock And Woe, ‘If Failure Is A Learning Experience, I Should Be A Genius’, ‘Hornswaggled By Consumer Culture, Again’, ‘Void, Holy Night’, The Feral Philosophers and Expect Disappointment And I’ll Never Let You Down.

Yeah, the song titles can be a mouthful at times but each one tells you the type of track what to expect but it’s the epic creativity that’s hidden behind the song titles that make the journey so highly unexpected. The musical playing is first rate with Mississippi Bones playing instrumental passages with a real “whirlwind” / “tornado” quality. It’s quite hard to explain but you’ll fully understand when you listen to the whole album.

Maladroit Blues For The Colorblind is a superbly entertaining record that you can listen to all day long and still find something new you missed the first time round.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Maldaroit Blues For The Colorblind is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl.

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Wailin Storms - The Arsonist (Album Review)

Release Date: July 10th 2026. Record Label: Season Of Mist. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Arsonist - Tracklisting

1. Dead End (4:48)

2. Heart of Mine (5:13)

3. You Never Answered (4:53)

4. The Arsonist (4:52)

5. Never Rest (4:59)

6. Saved (4:24)

7. Patient Night (3:22)

8. The Wind (6:01)

9. It's All Dark Now Where Your Eyes Used to Be (6:30)

Members

Justin Storms - Lead vocals, rhythm guitar

Ben Melton - Lead guitar, backup vocals, Rhodes organ, piano

Steve Stanczyk - Bass

Mark Oates - Drums

Review

Wailin Storms return with their fifth album The Arsonist that once again features their potent mix of Doom, Gothic, Southern Rock, Alt Rock and Americana that’s doused in a heavy dose of Blues Rock that’s held together by a Swamp Rock narrative. There’s always been an air of mystery behind Wailin Storms records which taps into the darkest corners of the Doom Rock and Southern Rock scenes. Lead vocalist / rhythm guitarist Justin Storms is the main creative force here with his grounded and gothic lyrics being one of the main highlights of the record.

There are shades of Nick Cave, Jeff Buckley, Black Sabbath, Alice In Chains and even DANZIG which shows the broad musical landscape the band have projected within their impressive discography. The Arsonist is quite subdued and is alarmingly heavy when the need arises but it’s a different kind of HEAVY ROCK with a stripped back style being semi-acoustic in places which develops very early on tracks such as Dead End, Heart Of Mine and You Never Answered. These songs are cautiously slow and bleakly pessimistic at the best times but the thundering melodies and post-doom surroundings allows Wailin Storms to portray a mellow and blues rock environment which never lets a ray of sunshine or uplifting grooves to appear. 

The Arsonist can be too unforgiving for its own good but it shows you the depths of Occult Rock and Gothic Doom that the band are willing to thrust upon the listener. There’s some great use of psychedelic instrumental passages and drone rock appearing within the later stages of the record with an aggressive sideline of moody Grunge melodies. The other members of the band Ben Melton (Lead guitar, backup vocals, Rhodes organ, piano), Steve Stanczyk (Bass) and Mark Oates (Drums) all play to their musical strengths by putting in phenomenal performances throughout. This record sounds and feels like a real team effort even when Justin’s vocals and majestic persona takes centre stage for large parts of the record.

Another great aspect of the record is the stripped back production values that have a lovely analogue feeling which gives the whole thing a crisp, clean and moody atmosphere from beginning to end. This allows the Post-Punk themes of the record to fully shine through on the second half of the album, even impressing me the most. 

Other great tracks on The Arsonist include: The Arsonist, Never Rest, Saved, The Wind and It’s All Dark Now Where Your Eyes Used To Be. There’s a haunting romantic aspect that does start to form here which feels like there’s a massive EARTH influence appearing when you least expect it but the bleak and sometimes nihilistic lyrics allows Wailin Storms to form their own definitive musical legacy. 

The band are five albums into their career at this point and are really starting to gain a reputation as one of America’s best Gothic Rock bands currently out there as they explore different musical themes that’s so brilliantly original and emotionally striking with each passing record. The Arsonist is a towering achievement that’s deeply unflinching vision with Wailin Storms leaving you emotionally satisfied with an intense and gut wrenching musical experience. There’s no other way I can describe this album and that’s where I’m going to end this review.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Season Of Mist ffor the promo.

The Arsonist is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Season Of Mist.

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Dee Calhoun - Angry Old Man (Album Review)

Release Date: July 18th 2025. Record Label: Black Doomba Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Angry Old Man - Tracklisting

1.A Last Cold Kiss 05:04 video

2.Angry Old Man 05:56

3.Voodoo Queen 05:04

4.A Piece From The Shoulder 05:44

5.Rise Up To March 04:15

6.Give Up The Ghost 04:20

7.VVitch (A Chant) 05:24

8.K*ll A M*ther F*cker 05:18

9.The Damned Human Race 08:27

Members

Dee Calhoun - Everything

Review

Dee Calhoun is back with his latest solo album Angry Old Man and for the uninitiated, Dee is considered a bit of a legend within the underground Doom Metal scene thanks to his stints with the legendary band IRON MAN and the excellent Spiral Grave. Dee Calhoun has been focusing upon his solo records for quite some time now blending Americana, Country, Doom, Blues, Stoner and Southern Rock but all told in a highly fashionable Acoustic Rock way.

Dee is also an acclaimed writer over the last few years and he’s got real talent and credibility with how he writes his lyrics that deal with some pretty dark themes even when they branch over into Horror and Fantasy though this record is mostly based on his own observations with the world.

Angry Old Man is quite an in-depth and highly involving record with Dee Calhoun once again used stripped back musical techniques to generate a gloomy and down-trodden atmosphere which some of the most well known figures of the underground scene have used for their own solo material such as WINO and Steve Von Till.

The AMERICANA and DOOMED OUT COUNTRY BLUES is a big aspect on how this album fully moves along at a cracking slow-to-mid pace. The whole record oozes gloomy atmosphere with Dee being quite political throughout but he does offer some superb wry and humorous sly commentary on certain parts of the album.

The music is quite abstract with ghostly sounds and twangy guitars reminding me of Johnny Cash at the best of times especially on tracks such as A Last Cold Kiss, Angry Old Man, Voodoo Queen, Rise Up To The March and K*ll A M*therF*cker. You can detect echoes of other vocalists that have perhaps shaped Dee’s musical knowledge but it’s his forthright confessional style that shows you what a damn fine storyteller Dee has ultimately become. 

Some parts of the album do become DOOM-FOLK obsessed in places but the solitary Americana and Roots based sound keeps things grounded. You can even detect a sense of MONSTER MAGNET gloomy rhymes in certain instrumental melodies that has a slight passing resemblance to the opening intro of SPACE LORD but that could be just me looking way too much into things.

The political message of Angry Old Man runs deep especially with today’s political climate and fucked up turmoil going on in the world and Dee Calhoun becomes more rebellious on the later stages of the record with Dee perhaps taking political cues from Neil Young is no bad thing at all. 

Angry Old Man is another forthright, bleak and outstanding release from Dee Calhoun who is perhaps in the best creative form of his life at the moment and that’s saying something especially with the career that Dee has lived through and ultimately achieved. 

Words by Steve Howe

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Shotgun Sawyer - Shotgun Sawyer (Album Review)

Release Date: December 04th 2024. Record Label: Ripple Music. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Shotgun Sawyer - Track Listing:

1.Cock N' Bull 03:37

2.Bye Bye Baby Boogie 03:43

3.The Sky is Crying 04:38

4.Isildur's Bane 09:47

5.Master Nasty 05:39

6.Hopeless 03:45

7.Going Down 03:52

8.Tired 04:25

9.That's How it Goes 03:31

Members

Cody Tarbell - Drums

Brett (The Butcher) Sanders - Bass

Dylan Jarman - Vocals/Guitar

Review

Shotgun Sawyer are back with their long awaited new self titled album which is their third overall. The band went on hiatus after the release of their second album with COVID, creative differences with the band and frontman Dylan Jarman stepping away from music for a period of time. Drummer David Lee left and has now been replaced by Slow Season/Westing member Cody Tarbell.

It seems all the trials and tribulations that Shotgun Sawyer have faced over the last years has helped them release their best album to date which was released back in December 2024. The album is a fine collection of songs from the classic heyday of 1970’s Hard Rock where elements of Blues, Country, Southern Rock, Roots and Americana are used to great effect. Though, Shotgun Sawyer enjoys using some mighty HEAVY FUZZED up POWER CHORDS along the way. 

There’s a cool “RETRO” vibe to the songs with Dylan’s vocals inspired by the classic frontmen of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Dylan’s vocals have a fine storytelling presence to them and I can listen to him all day as he has such a highly likeable persona. WIth a mixture of fast-paced, mid-tempo and slow sounding Blues Rock melodies, the band may live in the era of music that’s not that fashionable but they actually have a hip and happening presence to them especially when the music becomes more Doom Rock orientated. 

Standout tracks include: Cock N’ Bull, The Sky Is Crying, Isildur’s Bane, Master Nasty, Tired and That’s How It Goes.

If I have to choose a favourite track then it would have to be Isildur’s Bane as it’s a Doomed Out Blues Rock filled with sludgy side guitars, trippy Southern Rock vibes and a shit-ton of street level attitude coming from the whole band with excellent lyrics to match.

This is perhaps the perfect album for the Classic Hard Rock fan to invest themselves emotionally with. As it’s a record full of wonderful surprises where it can be surprisingly heavy when the mood calls for this. It may have taken six years for the band to return but welcome back Shotgun Sawyer, you’ve been missed. 

Shotgun Sawyer have done themselves proud with this album and have released their most mature record yet. I sadly missed this album when it was originally released back in Dec 2024 as it would have easily made my Albums Of The Year list for 2024. Don’t make the same mistake that I did. Add this to your collection now.

Words by Steve Howe

Shotgun Sawyer is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music.

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Stoner Rockers GODZILLIONAIRE Premiere New Song 3RD STREET SHUFFLE From Upcoming New Album DIMINISHING RETURNS

Godzillionaire rocks for the wounded soul.Fronted by legendary singer, poet, and artist Mark Hennessy from grunge-band also-ran Paw, Godzillionaire is known for creating focused music equal in ferocity and lovelorn sensitivity, and for bringing raging, emotionally intense live performances. Hennessy is joined by Ben White (guitar), Michael Dye (bass), and Cody Romaine(drums) as well as vocals, in creating music with focus and intention, rooted in human experience.

The band first received worldwide attention with the inclusion of songs "Absolute Zero" and "Excommunication" in the film "They Come Knocking" (part of Hulu's "Into the Dark" series) at the request of director and long-time supporter Adam Mason (video director for Alice in Chains, Cradle Of Filth, and others). 

Leanne Ridgeway of Riff Relevant writes of their last album Negative Balance that it is the “aural sanctuary I’ve been waiting 20 years forsomeone to build...after repeated listening, I find myself entranced and compelled...nearly an hour ofenchantingly heavy and light moments blended into thoroughly encompassing storytelling.”Negative Balance, released in Apr 2020, was ranked #14th best album of the year by the staff of New Noise magazine and #50th in their readers' poll, ranked #13 in Guitar Part magazine's staff picks for best albums of 2020, and was featured in John Gist's Doom Charts 2020 Favorites.

The upcoming album Diminishing Return$ sees the band exploring new, intriguing, yet familiar sonic territory,perhaps the most eclectic release of their career. Join them, won't you please?

Godzillionaire is:

Michael Dye - Bass, Synth, Vocals

Mark Hennessy - Vocals

Cody Romaine - Drums

Ben White - Guitar, Synth, Vocals

Also featuring:

Chris Copp -Vocals on “Astrogarden”

Chelsy Larson & Lauren Mayhew - Vocals on “Common Board, Magic Nail”

Lizz Weiler - Vocals on “Unsustainable”

Recorded by Paul Malinowski at Massive Sound, Shawnee, KS,and by us in various living rooms in Lawrence, KS. 

Mixed by Paul Malinowski at Massive Sound.

Mastered by Slade Templeton at Influx Studios, Bern, Swz.

Photos & art layout by Jason Dailey

We're beyond excited to premiere the stunning new single 3rd Street Shuffle from the new album "Diminishing Returns" out January 17th on Ripple Music

Ripple Music · Godzillionaire - 3rd Street Shuffle

Thanks to the cool folks over at Purple Sage PR for arranging the premiere.

Links

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Dee Calhoun - From Under the Smogberry Trees - A Novelty EP (EP Review)

Release Date: August 23rd 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DDl

From Under the Smogberry Trees - A Novelty EP: Tracklisting

1.Taylor's on the NFL Today 04:37

2.Bumpin' Uglies 02:17

3.Off is the Direction... 04:03

4.(She) Learned it from Watchin' a Porn 03:17

5.The Legend of Woke Dolly 03:55

6.Under the Smogberry Trees 03:47

Members

Dee Calhoun - Everything

Review

Doom/Stoner Rock musician Dee Calhoun takes a break away from his usual bleak way of usual storytelling by taking a humorous and sly look at modern day pop culture and mainstream media. The music is still a mix of Americana, Southern Rock, Folk Rock, Boogie Rock and Doom Rock with spiky lyrics that takes aim at the American male stereotype especially on the brilliantly funny opening track of Taylor’s On The NFL Today. 

Even with myself being British or a Limey Prick who has no right commentating on the American way of life but Dee has tapped into the similar type of humour that I’ve seen with the whole Taylor Swift vs NFL Football fan. (Even though in my mind there’s only one real game of FOOTBALL and it’s not the NFL. It’s what you guys call SOCCER - Anyway I digress). The music itself is simply played acoustic jams but it’s the music and Dee’s deadpan serious manner that makes everything stand out. 

The whole EP is delivered within the whole style of Dr Demento Radio Show with perhaps some Weird Al Yankovic influence shining through along the way. Bumpin’ Uglies is another funny little oddity which doesn’t quite work overall but the music was solid enough. The rest of the EP is bang on point with Off Is The Direction and (She) Learned It From Watchin’ A Porn seeing Dee’s real musical identity shining through with his music mostly and dark comedic lyrics perhaps drawing influence from the likes of Bill Hicks and George Carlin with Dee’s commentary on modern day life.

The final two tracks of The Legend Of Woke Dolly and Under The Smogberry Trees expands the Adult Humour which does show a more rebellious side to Dee’s songwriting skills but it’s the instrumental sounds that impress yet again with the music being quite daring, raw and honest that explores the darker style of Americana, Acoustic Rock and Southern Rock grooves.

From Under The Smogberry Trees is silly and downright hilarious entertainment where it’s good to hear Dee Calhoun releasing a different style of music that he’s currently known for. I’m not sure if I could listen to a full record of this and as the EP states within the title, the novelty could quickly wear thin but this is still a superb EP.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

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Crash And The Void Unleashes New Single Neon Bloodstains Featuring Johni Holiday of Ruff Majik

Pretoria’s own Crash And The Void is back and bolder than ever with their new single Neon Bloodstains, featuring guest vocals from Johni Holiday of Ruff Majik. Inspired by the intense and competitive world of the video game Cyberpunk 2077, the band crafted a song that mirrors the violence and drive required to succeed in the music industry. “I feel like the violence and competitive nature found in the game, which I played extensively, was a good parallel to the music industry and how you need to carve your way to success,” says Marius Schutte, the band’s vocalist and primary songwriter. The track’s message is clear: stand your ground, don't sell yourself short, and be realistic about the monumental task ahead when striving for success.

This self-produced song showcases the collaborative spirit of Crash And The Void. Initially entered into a competition to be featured in Cyberpunk 2077, the song evolved beyond its original form. The final doom breakdown, a highlight of the track, was a collective effort created during a rehearsal. The original demo, solely created by Marius Schutte, didn’t include this breakdown due to competition restrictions. Marius’s love for soundtracks and ludomusicology is evident, with the song’s opening lead line being a heavily distorted synthesizer inspired by Mick Gordon’s work on the DOOM soundtrack.

True to their innovative spirit, the band members recorded their parts in their home studios, with Marius programming the drums. This DIY approach not only highlights their versatility but also their commitment to producing high-quality music.

Watch the visualiser below:

Buy / Stream NEON BLOODSTAINS

About Crash And The Void:

Crash And The Void makes music by infusing traditional balls-to-the-wall rock music with concepts often found in film music, particularly horror and sci-fi genres. Their collective musical influences range from Hans Zimmer to Black Sabbath and everything in between, creating a unique sound that is both thrilling and cinematic.

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Thanks to Mongrel Records for all of the info.

Crimson Devils - Forever High (Album Review)

Release Date: May 19th 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Forever High: Tracklisting

Feels Like The Last Time

Forever High

Home Again

Not My Time

Used Up

Count Back From Ten

Feign Free

Pressure Vessels

Lost My Mind

We Walk Alone

King Of The World

Members

Jake - Guitar/Vocals

Jason - Guitar

Curt - Bass

Scooch - Drums

Review

Forever High is the new album from Heavy Stoner Rockers Crimson Devils who hail all the way from Austin, Texas, USA which has a great Stoner Rock/Metal scene thanks to bands such as WO FAT, Mothership and Red Beard Wall to name but a few. Crimson Devils have a style of Southern/Stoner Rock more in style with Mothership but with perhaps a classic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal style allowing their music to having a more "Rock and Roll" edge.

Forever High is built upon the essential Classic Hard Rock/Stoner Rock formation which has a Punk Rock aesthetic with the production values the album contains. The songs move from hard-hitting Stoner Rock/Metal grooves to a more aggressive Thrash based style of music which allows the band to draw influences from bands and a wealth of legendary bands from the classic Hard Rock style. I can hear influences such as KISS, ZZ Top and Thin Lizzy but with that catchy Stoner Rock style heard within the excellent opening songs of Feels Like The Last Time, Forever High and Home Again.

These batch of songs embrace the classic Hard Rock mentality where the band play Seventies Hard Rock grooves with a Turbo Charged attitude being heard within the melodic grooves. The vocals have a certain CLASSIC ROCK and BLUES ROCK feel to them with Crimson Devils bringing a LESS IS MORE delivery with their music and the production values used on the album. That's one of the album's main strengths with the minimal use of modern day production techniques that allows Crimson Devils to be themselves on this album., warts and all. Perhaps one of the most honest sounding records I've heard in quite some time.

Crimson Devils blaze their way through an action packed assortment of different styles of Hard Rock, Stoner Rock and Blues Rock with a Punk Rock energy heard within the lyrics appearing on tracks such as: Not My Time, Used Up and Count Back From Ten. The music can be more manic on these tracks but this allows Crimson Devils to play a more energetic and dare I say "COOL" style of music. 

Forever High may not be the most Progressive or Forward Thinking style of music compared to the albums I've reviewed recently. However, it doesn't need to be as Crimson Devils play music that's superbly honest and packed with real emotion from start to finish.

The second half of the album continues with that style of music within the second half of the album on tracks such as: Count Back From Ten, Feign Free, Lost My Mind and We Walk Alone. All showcasing Crimson Devils talent for writing "catchy" tracks that get straight down to business of playing sublime and action packed grooves that ultimately leave you wanting to hear more.

Forever High runs under forty minutes and it's the perfect length for the band to play their high-spirited blend of Classic Hard Rock and Heavy Rock riffs for an album that will no doubt impress the many different factions of the Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Underground scenes.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

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