SISTERS - Wings Of Deliverance (Album Review)

Release Date: August 29th 2025. Record Label: Spartan Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Wings Of Deliverance - Tracklisting

1.Wings of Deliverance 01:55 

2.Home Is Where The Heart Is 02:58

3.Peoples Temple 02:22

4.The Angels of Violence 05:02

5.Golden Sunbeams 03:28

6.The Planning Commission 04:29

7.White Night 05:58

8.Death Is A Friend 08:56

Members

Jason Blackmore (Molly McGuire)

Mario Quintero (Spotlights)

Review

Wings Of Deliverance is the second album from Noise/Grunge/Sludge/Post-Punk/Stoner Rock outfit SISTERS who return after a two year absence with a more abrasive, aggressive and sludge based offering. This feels like a different band compared to their 2023 acclaimed debut album Leecheater. SISTERS features Jason Blackmore from Molly McGuire and Mario Quintero from Spotlights with this band featuring many similarities to those great bands but also carving up their own heavy riff driven sound. SISTERS still offer a deep sense of Melodic Rock though you wouldn’t expect this after you experience the delightfully violent and pissed off title track of Wings Of Deliverance. 

This is the nastiest and heaviest track that SISTERS have delivered yet with a highly ambitious take on Industrial Metal with flashes of Post-Punk, Noise Rock and deeply rooted Electronica Beats. The vocals are harsh with a mid nineties/early noughties influence lingering in the background. The instrumental beats move from glitches to full on Electronica beats with a sudden shift into Heavy Power Mechanical Doom that feels like NIN crossing swords with Author & Punisher.

Second track Home Is Where The Heart is continues with the warped Industrial/Sludge grooves but added a melodic Sludge/Stoner Rock flavour that has similarities to TORCHE and RED FANG in places but with SISTERS adding their own distorted level of streetwise attitude and full-on catchy melodies. The vocals from both Jason and Mario are both clean based and in a stark contrast to the opening track. This is the type of music they brilliantly excel at but you’ll still be treated to outbursts of violent  Sludge Metal when the time calls for this.

Third track People’s Temple is another sonic odyssey with SISTERS employing a cool sounding melodic vibe that doesn’t necessarily play it safe with the COMMERCIAL ASPECTS that appear within the whole creative flow of the album. There is an epic nineties Alt Rock attitude with the swirling grunge based guitars and stunning rhythm sections that Mario and Jason equally contribute to. This is where SISTERS start to really hit their creative stride with subtle Psychedelic and Fuzzed mid-tempo changes which lasts the course for the rest of the album.

Songs such as The Angels Of Violence, Golden Sunbeams and The Planning Commission offer a classic Post-Punk attitude with flashes of Post-Rock and Doomed Out passages with SISTERS demonstrating their own great style of music. The lyrics are quite deceptive and observant which adds a mysterious edge to the whole album. I forgot to mention this album is about the following: 

“Wings Of Deliverance tells a chilling narrative about the cult of personality and the horrors of Jim Jones and the Jonestown tragedy”

Despite the harsh subject matter that SISTERS deal with on the record there’s still some uplifting moments told through the groovy melodies that once again remind me of TORCHE in places. However, SISTERS are never too far away to bring the mood to a slightly depressing Post-Punk and Sludge Rock vibe especially on the final two tracks of the record White Night and Death Is A Friend.which brings some moments of Progressive Metal attitude into the mix. 

These two tracks offer the heaviest, hard-hitting and bleakest parts of the album with challenging lyrics and vocal harmonies being added to complicate matters. Though, SISTERS once again play outside of the rules of HEAVY MUSIC to craft something brilliantly original and in their own aggressive image. This allows Wings Of Deliverance to be one of the most thought-provoking and sonically original records within the Alternative Rock/Metal scene (next to MOON DESTROYS and MUSEUM OF LIGHT) you’ll hear this year.

Simply unmissable!!!

Words by Steve Howe

 

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Alt-Rock/Stoner Metallers Sisters new single “Home Is Where The Heart Is” delivers heavy and melodic rock

Sisters have been carving out their own heavy, melodic world since the release of their debut album Leecheater in 2023 — a record that laid the foundation for their signature sound: raw, riff-driven rock with an unflinching honesty. Now, the duo Jason Blackmore (vocals / guitar / bass / keyboards ) and Mario Quintero (vocals / drums / guitar / keyboards), return with Wings of Deliverance, a darker, more experimental follow-up that examines Blackmore’s fascination with cults, religion, and power structures led through a conceptual exploration of the Jonestown Massacre.

Having set the stage with title track and album opener “Wings of Deliverance,” the duo now enter the next phase with single “Home Is Where The Heart Is.” The track emphasizes Sisters balance of heavy and melodic, as soaring vocals ride over heavy riffs. The track centers on the propaganda and comfort cult leader Jim Jones amplified to his followers, as Blackmore expands:

“Belonging. Unity. Joy. Jim builds a devoted following at his church. These people trust him and feel as if they have finally found a place that they feel safe in. A place they identify with. Home.”

You can listen to “Home Is Where The Heart Is” below:

Wings of Deliverance will release on August 29th through Spartan Records and is available for preorder now.

Both Jason Blackmore and Mario Quintero have a wealth of experience that feeds into Sisters’ unique approach. Blackmore, a founding member of Molly McGuire, a band known for its heavy, emotionally-charged sound, brings years of songwriting experience to the table. Quintero, best known as the guitarist and vocalist for Spotlights, has contributed his technical prowess and musical vision to a band that’s been recognized for its atmospheric, heavy tones. Together, their combined experience in crafting songs for bands with distinct and powerful sounds has shaped Sisters into what it is today.

Wings Of Deliverance tells a chilling narrative about the cult of personality and the horrors of Jim Jones and the Jonestown tragedy. The record explores the devastating consequences of blind faith and how easily minds can be swayed by egomaniacal leaders. Sonically it enacts the floaty heart of Deftones with the experimental energy of Nine Inch Nails, boasting through a combination of alternative metal, industrial, and noise rock. Recorded in Quintero’s basement, the production is raw and exclusive. The album packs depth in both sound and concept, digging deep into the darker corners of the human psyche and delivering Sisters most true to form body of work yet.

Wings Of Deliverance Tracklist:

1. Wings of Deliverance
2. Home Is Where The Heart Is
3. Peoples Temple
4. The Angels of Violence
5. Golden Sunbeams
6. The Planning Commission
7. White Night
8. Death Is A Friend

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Thanks to Wordless PR for the details.

Alternative Metal Duo Sisters announce cult concept album Wings of Deliverance out August 29th on Spartan Records

Sisters have been carving out their own heavy, melodic world since the release of their debut album Leecheater in 2023 — a record that laid the foundation for their signature sound: raw, riff-driven rock with an unflinching honesty. Now, the duo Jason Blackmore (vocals / guitar / bass / keyboards ) and Mario Quintero (vocals / drums / guitar / keyboards), return with Wings of Deliverance, a darker, more experimental follow-up that examines Blackmore’s fascination with cults, religion, and power structures led through a conceptual exploration of the Jonestown Massacre.

The premise of the record comes to life in title track and opener “Wings of Deliverance” out now. As Blackmore divulges:

“The beginning. After preaching and holding healing revivals for two years at the Laurel Street Tabernacle Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church, Jim Jones leaves in 1955 and starts his own church.”

The track boasts a noise punk meets industrial electronic sound, setting off with an unhinged scream into a persuasive vocal delivery. The lo-fi video for the song mixes trippy graphics with imagery of Jim Jones and his followers, try not to get brainwashed. You can watch the video HERE and the track will hit streaming services tomorrow.

Wings of Deliverance will release on August 29th through Spartan Records and is available for preorder now.

Both Jason Blackmore and Mario Quintero have a wealth of experience that feeds into Sisters’ unique approach. Blackmore, a founding member of Molly McGuire, a band known for its heavy, emotionally-charged sound, brings years of songwriting experience to the table. Quintero, best known as the guitarist and vocalist for Spotlights, has contributed his technical prowess and musical vision to a band that’s been recognized for its atmospheric, heavy tones. Together, their combined experience in crafting songs for bands with distinct and powerful sounds has shaped Sisters into what it is today.

Wings Of Deliverance tells a chilling narrative about the cult of personality and the horrors of Jim Jones and the Jonestown tragedy. The record explores the devastating consequences of blind faith and how easily minds can be swayed by egomaniacal leaders. Sonically it enacts the floaty heart of Deftones with the experimental energy of Nine Inch Nails, boasting through a combination of alternative metal, industrial, and noise rock. Recorded in Quintero’s basement, the production is raw and exclusive. The album packs depth in both sound and concept, digging deep into the darker corners of the human psyche and delivering Sisters most true to form body of work yet.

Wings Of Deliverance Tracklist:

1. Wings of Deliverance
2. Home Is Where The Heart Is
3. Peoples Temple
4. The Angels of Violence
5. Golden Sunbeams
6. The Planning Commission
7. White Night
8. Death Is A Friend

Links:

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Atlanta’s Grunge/Alt Rockers Dropsonic Returns with New Single “Honeytrap” Feat. William DuVall (Alice In Chains)

After a fifteen-year hiatus, Dropsonic is back with a vengeance. The Atlanta-based rock trio has released their new single, “Honeytrap,” featuring William DuVall (current frontman for Alice In Chains), offering a powerful preview of their upcoming self-titled album, out May 16th via Spartan Records.

In a time when home recordings and digital production dominate, Dropsonic is delivering something raw, massive, and unleashed. The band’s signature mega riffs, scorching guitar solos, and three-piece tightness remain intact, but their new work also brings a heightened sense of fidelity and depth.

“Dan had been sending the songs as works in progress for me to weigh in,” says DuVall. “Then he invited me to the studio. I heard the background vocal part for ‘Honeytrap’ immediately. We laid it down in just a few minutes. But the real joy was spending the day watching Dan work and getting a behind-the-mic view of a Dropsonic album being made. They’re simply one of the best rock bands to come out of America in the last thirty years.”

Having built a reputation for their relentless touring and six-album discography, Dropsonic initially disbanded in 2011, with frontman Dan Dixon (vocals/guitar) focusing on other projects, including PLS PLS and producing for numerous artists. However, the momentum reignited when Dixon remixed and re-released past Dropsonic albums during the pandemic, leading to a reunion, the addition of new drummer Chandler Rentz, and the creation of a new record.

“William is a longtime friend who understands what Dropsonic is about and someone whose opinion I fully respect,” says Dixon. “When I wanted someone outside the band to keep me honest or let me know if I was veering off the path, Will was my first and only call. He was the perfect sounding board and advisor throughout the process and came in at the end to add a few crowning touches as well, most notably his backup vocal on ‘Honeytrap’.”

Lyrically, the new record explores desperation, love, addiction, narcissism, and money, with a balance of hi-fi production and raw, spontaneous moments. The collaboration with DuVall—who co-produced the album—helped shape a project that both honors Dropsonic’s past and marks an ambitious new beginning.

With their seventh studio album on the horizon and their signature explosive energy stronger than ever, this new era of Dropsonic promises to be just the beginning.

Pre-order the album here: https://spr.tn/dropsonic
Pre-save “Honeytrap” here: https://orcd.co/dropsonic

Dropsonic new album is available to pre-order now via Spartan Records and will be released on Friday May 16th 2025.

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Museum Of Light - Diviner (Album Review)

Release Date: March 21st 2025. Record Label: Spartan Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Diviner - Tracklisting

1.Body

2.Blunt Force Drama 

3.Get Paid

4.Above You

5.Undone 

6.The Known World

7.Still Running

8.Kneel

9.Born All Wrong 

10.Diviner

11.Breathe

Members

Ted Alvarez: Guitars, Vocals

Jeff Bartlett: Bass Guitar

Rob Smith: Drums, Vocals, Keys

Review

Alternative/Sludge/Stoner Rockers Museum Of Light return with their emotionally charged and brilliantly satisfying new album Diviner. The band impressed me back in 2022 with their acclaimed debut album Horizon with its mix of Alt Rock, Shoegaze, Psych, Stoner, Sludge, Doom, Post-Rock and Progressive based movements. Diviner follows a similar path but with a more nuanced and multi-layered sound.

The record sees new additions of Jeff Bartless on Bass Guitar, Elissa Aliverz on vocal duties and Amelia Urry providing Spoken Word poems which are highly majestic and give the album a sense of realism that deserves to be heard by the biggest audience possible. The sound is amplified by HUGE SOUNDING grooves and complex melodies which easily draw comparisons to the likes of HUM, Cave In, Torche and Floor but with a Shoegaze / Doomgaze leading the band into Progressive waters. 

The album even has moments of huge sounding Stadium Rock melodies but is mostly held down by a grounded Sludge/Stoner Rock instrumental charge. The vocals are held back more compared to Horizon with Museum Of Light excelling within their “LESS IS MORE” approach with stunning heavy sludgy guitars propelling the band into Spaced Out and Ethereal territories.

This is more of a collaborative effort with guest contributions from Elissa Aliverz on vocal duties and Amelia Urry’s spellbinding spoken word poems being some of the genuine highlights of the record.

With a distant Ambient, Space Rock and Psychedelic flow allowing for mellow Post-Rock themes to appear for the most uplifting parts of the record before Museum Of Light transform into highly destructive but equally melodic DOOM-POP destroyers with that FLOOR and TORCHE influence coming into play.

There’s a wonderful sense of complex melodies throughout the album with a harsh sense of reality creeping in at times but those excellent spoken word parts allows an upbeat environment to fully form on the later stages of the record. The sound can be considered experimental with flashes of glitches and intricate noises having a mind of their own though Museum Of Light’s dominant Alt Metal keeps everything moving along at a superb pace.

I could have easily written a song-by-song review for Diviner but I consider this as one long instrumental track broken down into individual chapters. There’s a cinematic and unpredictable nature to how Museum Of Light deliver their music especially when the music becomes disjointed with heavy DRONED OUT passages whilst still keeping with their intense creative vision.

If I have to recommend some favourite tracks of mine then I would say Blunt Force Drama, Above You, The Known World, Still Running, Diviner and Breathe. As these are the songs that best describe Museum Of Light across both of their brilliant and highly original albums.

Diviner does have a certain abstract, colourful and retro sound coming from the production side of things with Museum Of Light having a certain Seattle vibe to the record with help from Scott Evans, Carl Saff, Cameron Heck and the band’s very own Jeff Alaverz all contributing with the making of the album. They’ve all done a wonderful job which allows Museum Of Light once again to create a highly anthemic style of music which will no doubt allow Diviner to become one of my favourite albums of the year.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Spartan Records for the promo.

Diviner will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Spartan Records from March 14th 2025.

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Museum Of Light - Blunt Force Drama (Single Review)

Release Date: January  2025. Record Label: Spartan Records. Formats: DD

Blunt Force Drama - Track Listing:

Blunt Force Drama

Members

Ted Alvarez: Guitars, Vocals

Jeff Bartlett: Bass Guitar

Rob Smith: Drums, Vocals, Keys

Review

Blunt Force Drama is the epic new single from Alternative/Sludge/Shoegaze Rockers Museum Of Light who made a massive impression with me thanks to their acclaimed 2022 debut full length album Horizon. The album showed Museum Of Light’s great style of music that travelled across the Shoegaze, Alt Rock, Doom, Sludge, Indie, Psych and Stoner Rock platforms for something bold, aggressive, melodic and downright insightful.

The band have applied that style once again to Blunt Force Drama which is mostly a powerful instrumental track with haunting chants and echoes from Ted Alvarez and Rob Smith providing the ethereal vocals. The upcoming album Diviner sees new additions of Jeff Bartless on Bass Guitar, Elissa Aliverz on vocal duties and Amelia Urry providing Spoken Word poems which are highly majestic and give the album a sense of realism that’s brilliantly powerful at the same time.

However, Blunt Force Drama is powered by ethereal Sludge/Stoner grooves that reminds me of HUM, TORCHE and FLOOR but with Museum Of Light still creating their own highly original style of music that is very hard to define.

WOW. End of…

Words by Steve Howe

Diviner will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Spartan Records from March 14th 2025.

Links

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SISTERS - Leecheater (Album Review)

Release Date: August 25th 2023. Record Label: Spartan Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Leecheater: Tracklisting

1.Born Again 02:39

2.Dead to the World 03:28

3.Black Stars 01:42

4.Through the Cracks 04:28

5.The Wick Effect 05:28

6.Windows 07:23

7.Feet on the Ground 05:15

8.Leecheater 08:44

Members

Jason Blackmore (guitar, bass, vox)

Mario Quintero (drums, guitar, vox)

Review:

Leecheater is the debut album from Noise Rock/Grunge/Post-Punk/Post-Rock/Stoner Rock outfit SISTERS. A band that features Jason Blackmore (Molly McGuire) and Mario Quintero (Spotlights) and it’s an absolute delight with SISTERS fusing so many different styles of music into a distorted and heavenly sound which should appeal to fans of bands such as QOTSA, HUM, Failure, Torche and the own members respective bands. 

There is a subtle “DARK POP” energy within the album which shines through on the excellent opening track Born Again with its highly energetic style of Atmospheric Rock which has a subtle Stadium Rock quality to it. The mood does become more DISTORTED and DRONE based which shows that SISTERS aren’t afraid to get down and dirty when the sludgy grooves finally appear.

Second song Dead To The World opens with a breakneck classic sounding QOTSA groove with that AMPLIFIER DISTORTED swagger allowing SISTERS to keep moving forward with their highly original hybrid sound. The vocals have a real Alternative Rock quality and feeling to them with the lyrics having a STONER edge to them. The droned out guitars are just the icing on the cake for me when the sounds become more glitch based with a thrilling Post-Punk sound leading the way. 

Third song Black Stars is a blistering Noise Rock/Punk Rock number with Psychedelic guitars and slightly aggressive vocals that feels like the best track that QOTSA has never written whilst still being a truly breathtaking and highly original composition in its own right. The song feels twice as long despite the song clocking under one minute and forty seconds.

Fourth song Through The Cracks is a track that could have easily come from Spotlights and Molly McGuire themselves. With a gloomy Noise Rock creative core, SISTERS bring a slight Industrial feel to the album. The vocals are easily the best part of the track as they showcase a more daring presence to SISTERS though the melodic sounds aren’t too far behind. SISTERS employ that grungy Alt Rock attitude that allows the band to become more Psychedelic with heavy Post-Rock flourishes.

The second half of the album sees SISTERS continue with their Atmospheric blend of different musical styles but with perhaps a Progressive Rock and Experimental style on this part of the album. This is perhaps where SISTERS offer the most interesting styles of music with thick Noise Rock/Sludgy guitars and outstanding drumming being heard on tracks such as: The Wick Effect, Windows and the brilliantly cinematic final title track of Leecheater.

Leecheater is a gloriously hip and richly satisfying album to listen to. Backed up by first rate production values, the album is wholly original with SISTERS creating an album that defies the rules of the multiple genres they play on this album. The album is at it’s best when SISTERS play  that intense style of Atmospheric Rock where the grooves change creative directions and when the distorted elements appear then Leecheater becomes one of the best debut albums you’ll hear this year.

Words by Steve Howe

Leecheater is available to buy on DD/Vinyl now via Spartan Records.

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Calm Collapse - Mirrored Nature (Album Review)

Date Released: November 25th 2022. Record Label: Spartan Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Mirrored Nature: Tracklisting

Positive Greed

Sounds God

Brad Delp

Subtle Beast

Welfare Tour

Comeuppance

Shadows Paroled

Stairwell From The Moon

Members

Doug Lorig

Rob Smith

Jonathan Pease

Review

Calm Collapse is made up of members from the Indie Rock scene and whilst their debut album Mirrored Nature has Indie Rock vibes, this album is purely made of Prog Rock, Noise Rock, Grunge with massive Sludge/Stoner Metal grooves akin to bands such as Mastodon and Melvins. The album also has influences from bands such as Soundgarden and Torche in places. Recording and Mixed duties are handled by Matt Bayles who knows a thing or two about certain heavy grooves thanks to his work with bands such as Mastodon and ISIS.

Mirrored Nature contains eight tracks where Calm Collapse moves throughout the history of the Heavy Rock spectrum of the last forty years or so. However, this album remains thoroughly modern while striking a perfect balance of Indie Rock sounds with the heavier and more dynamic Sludge/Stoner Metal parts of the album.

Opening song Positive Greed opens with a more commercial heavy rock groove before Calm Collapse starts adding elements of Noise, Grunge, and Sludgy grooves that goes quite Spaced Out rock towards the end of the song. The vocals are equally powerful with a certain Grungy charm to them. There's a certain King Buffalo energy when the track slows the mood right down for a lush Cinematic and Psychedelic Post-Rock or Post-Stoner feel.

Second song Sounds God offers a heavier approach with that Indie Rock vibe working superbly well with the heavier Alt Rock flow of the track. The song revels in its 90's bold drive with a grungy atmosphere being more fast-paced than I originally anticipated. Perhaps one of the more gloomy offerings thanks to the sublime lyrics written for the track. Calm Collapse brings a certain style of calmness to the album whilst playing a refreshing blend of aggressive Psych Rock/Metal.

Third song Brad Delp opens with a killer guitar or bass solo before the Hardcore Punk vocals breaks up the peaceful mood to a more volatile energy. The song can be quite hard to describe in places with Calm Collapse moving between Punk Rock, Grunge, Noise Rock, Psych Rock and Prog Metal with echoes of WEEZER, Mastodon and QOTSA being felt through their wonderfully powerful and creative sounds on the album. This song remains superbly original with the band showing brilliant flashes of EPIC PSYCHEDELIC GROOVES that is violently addictive but so damn catchy at the same time.

Calm Collapse continues with this style of music for the remainder of the album on tracks such as Subtle Beast, Welfare Tour, Shadows Paroled and Stairwell For The Moon. The album does see Calm Collapse merge uplifting Ambient Post-Rock passages for a more reflective style of music whilst maintaining their Sludge/Stoner Metal presence on the later stages of the album.

If you loved HUM or Museum Of Light most recent albums then there's much to admire here with Calm Collapse offering similar Psychedelic and Melodic compositions whilst still being original in it's own right. The second half of the album also sees Calm Collapse play the heaviest and intense sounds on the entire record. 

The added bonus of Indie Rock sensibilities allows Calm Collapse to release an album that is a breathtaking, bold and daring style of Sludge Rock/Stoner Metal that you don't really hear that often. Mirrored Nature is an outstanding release that's fast becoming one of my favourite albums of the year even this late in the game as well.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mike at Earshot Media for the promo.

Mirrored Nature is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Spartan Records from November 25th 2022

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