OHHMS - Close (Album Review)

Release date: June 26^th 2020. Label: Holy Roar Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Close – Tracklisting

1.Alive!

2.((Flaming Youth))

3.Revenge

4.((Strange Ways))

5.Destroyer

6.Asylum

7.Unplugged

Review

Close is the new record from UK Sludge/Post-Metal/Doom Metallers – OHHMS – and this release is a sequel of sorts to their acclaimed EP’s – Bloom and Cold – both released in 2014 and 2015 respectively. Close does feel slightly different to OHHMS two previous full length albums – The Fool and Exist. The band never seem to take any time off as they just released their last album back in November 2018.

I don’t know whether this record is an EP, Album or Mini- Album but whatever this is, OHHMS are on dynamic form playing some of their most deeply emotional sounds yet. The socially conscience aware lyrics have always played a big part of OHHMS identity and it’s good to see the band touch on topical sensitive issues with this record whilst creating a powerful style of Sludge/Doom Metal with their earlier sounds of Ambient Rock, Psych Rock and Prog Rock driving that message home.

The 7 songs on Close are what you expect from the band. They have a cool a truly original sound of their own which they’ve been perfecting since their acclaimed debut releases. The Post-Rock/Post-Metal flows at an eerie and emotional level that allows OHHMS to maintain the perfect balance of quietly played Cinematic Post-Rock and the more aggressive Sludge/Post-Metal riffs that is perhaps the most exciting parts of the record.

OHHMS maybe in a more reflective mood on this record especially on songs such as: Alive!, ((Flaming Youth)), Revenge and Unplugged. It’s good to see OHHMS writing shorter songs this time round. There is only one song (Revenge) that is of substantial length running past the 9 minute mark and that is perhaps the standout song on the record with OHHMS paying homage to their earlier sound whilst breaking new creative ground for themselves as well.

The instrumental work is more fast-paced and perhaps the most aggressive I’ve heard yet from OHHMS. The vocals from Paul are outstanding yet again and the powerful lyrics allow Close to be a more challenging and diverse record that you wouldn’t expect.

I will admit that I still prefer BLOOM and The Fool as my favourite albums from OHHMS. However, this is still a wonderfully challenging and deeply emotional record that only OHHMS could deliver.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Justine at Holy Roar Records for the promo. Close will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Holy Roar Records Records from June 26th 2020

Links:

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Jesus The Snake - Black Acid, Pink Rain (Album Review)

Release date: July 11th 2019. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Black Acid, Pink Rain – Tracklisting

1.Karma 10:28
2.Floyds I 09:04
3.Floyds II 08:59
4.Duna 09:36
5.Black Acid, Pink Rain 10:55

Members

Jorge Lopes - guitar
Rui Silva - bass
João Costa - drums
Gonçalo Palmas - keyboards

Review

Black Acid, Pink Rain is the debut album from Portuguese Psychedelic Stoner/Desert Rockers – Jesus The Snake. The album is progressive from start to finish with the majority of the songs running between 9 to 10 mins each. 

Jesus The Snake are not the most heaviest Stoner/Desert Rock band but they do add a lot of heavy psychedelic sounds to their overall sound. The music can be quite jazzy in places and influenced from the 60s/70s Psychedelic Rock scene. Though I can hear a deep Yawning Man influence on certain parts of the album.

Opening song – Karma – is a mixture of different styles such as Psych Rock, Desert Rock, Stoner Rock, Jazz with the band keen to experiment with their sound from the start. The hazy psychedelic riffs can be too “freaky” to hear at times and the song does take an age to fully get moving. The song has too many stop-start moments for own personal tastes. As the song builds upto an exciting part and the band pull back and play a different style of music. However, this is still a highly confident song with the band showing what accomplished musicians they actually are.

Second song – Floyds I – is another “Jazz” style song with Psychedelic Stoner/Desert Rock grooves making their appearance known early from the start. Jesus The Snake add a more soothing “Ambient” style vibe to this song with the 60s Psychedelic Heavy Rock riffs allowing the song to grow naturally. The second half of the song is a lot more faster and the band play a grittier 70s Hard Rock sound that allows the listener to become part of the action.

Third song – Floyds II – sees the band continue with their “slow-paced” delivery with the familiar Psychedelic Stoner/Desert Rock sounds slowly taking their time to fully appear. When the Heavy Riffs appear then all hell breaks loose and Jesus The Snake create some of the heaviest and most exciting parts of the album entirely on this song alone.

The final two songs – Duna and Black Acid, Pink Rain – are both superbly written songs and once again take time to for the heavier moments appear. That’s been the main theme for this album and I applaud Jesus The Snake for remaining true to their artistic vision.

This album won’t be for everyone and is perhaps best suited to people who enjoy their Instrumental Stoner Rock being a lot more experimental compared to other bands of the genre.

Overall, Black Acid, Pink Rain is a damn good album and you should give it a listen if you want something different from the standard Desert Rock/Stoner Rock sound.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Stream Of NEBULA - To The Center (Heavy Psych Records Reissue)

Heavy Psych Sounds announced it will work with California fuzz/psych legends Nebula to reissue three of the band’s most landmark offerings. Originally released in 1998, 1999 and 2002, respectively, Let it Burn, To the Center and Dos EPs and they will be made available as special editions to mark the 20th anniversary of the band.

Three weeks ago we premiered the new version of Let It Burn. And this week here's a premiere of To The Center, in all it's Psychedelic Fuzzed Out Stoner Rock Glory.

You can buy Let It Burn here from Heavy Psych Sounds. 

Links:

Official | Facebook

Thanks to Heavy Psych Sounds and Purple Sage PR for the premiere.

Exclusive Stream Of NEBULA - Let It Burn (Heavy Psych Records Reissue)

I became very excited when I heard the news that Heavy Psych Sounds announced it will work with California fuzz/psych legends Nebula to reissue three of the band’s most landmark offerings. Originally released in 1998, 1999 and 2002, respectively, Let it Burn, To the Center and Dos EPs and they will be made available as special editions to mark the 20th anniversary of the band.

Here's some cool info from the original press release:

"When guitarist/vocalist Eddie Glass joined forces with bassist Mark Abshire and drummer Ruben Romano — both previously of Fu Manchu — they found magic together and no one before and no other band since has been able to capture that sound in the same way, though plenty have tried. With Let it Burn, they established a place for themselves between druggy psych and forward-driving fuzz rock, and as they moved through the subsequent Sun Creature EP, their split with Sweden’s Lowrider and the To the Center full-length the next year, they only grew, progressed and refined this approach into something all the more their own.

The two short releases were later compiled as Dos EPs, and the flow contained there is no less pivotal than either Let it Burn or To the Center. Working exclusively in cooperation with the original members of Nebula, Heavy Psych Sounds will release Let it Burn, To the Center and Dos EPs in January, February and March, 2018 in vinyl, limited vinyl, CD and digital editions, each containing bonus material, extra songs and more.

Nebula have announced 2018 live dates with the lineup of Eddie Glass, bassist Tom Davies and drummer Mike Amster (Blaak Heat, Abrams), including stops at Desertfest London and Berlin with more to follow."

Well the 1st reissue of Let It Burn will be released this Friday and it's still my favourite release of Nebula. As is it showed you the potential of the band so early on in their career. This reissue has a couple of bonus tracks compared to the original release.

This is Psychedelic Fuzz at it's finest. It perhaps paved the way for other people to start their own Psychedelic Fuzz Rock band. Look what Gabriele Fiori of Heavy Psych Sounds had to say about working with Nebula on these reissues.

"It is an honor to have Eddie, Mark and Ruben come together to stand behind these three issues. These records are classics and have had a huge influence on me and an entire generation of artists and I can’t wait to get them back out there for people to dig into all over again!”

Now you can hear the reissue of Let It Burn in it's entirety. As the cool folks at Heavy Psych Sounds and Purple Sage PR have allowed me to stream the full record ahead of it's release this Friday

You can buy Let It Burn here from Heavy Psych Sounds.

Links:

Official | Facebook

Thanks to Heavy Psych Sounds and Purple Sage PR for the premiere.

Black Mammoth - Overlord Of The Pleasuredome (Album Review)

Release date: December 23^rd 2017. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Overlord Of The Pleasuredome – Tracklisting

1.Artificial Goliath 04:38

2.Tainted Woman 05:09

3.Holy One Conspiracy 05:04

4.Sweet Venom Reciever 04:23

5.Here I Am 05:05

6.Cauldron of Lies 06:38

7.Envy The Dead 05:18

8.Spirit Wanders Lonely 04:18

9.Overlord of the Pleasuredome 05:50

Members

Ronny Kristiansen, Glenn Thomas Solberg and Tor Erik Hagen

Review

With an album name such as Overlord Of The Pleasuredome, you expect a huge sounding album and that's what Black Mammoth deliver with their superbly entertaining debut album. It's not the most original of sounds and the band may stick to closely to the Black Sabbath sound at times. Though this is still a great sounding record that should keep the Doom/Stoner Metal crowd happy for days on end.

The vocals are definitely influenced by the legendary Ozzy Osbourne. Black Mammoth inject a more Lovecraftian style of horror into their music that elevates their own brand of Doom Metal to a different level. Plus the lyrics held on the album do hit upon some very cool and dark subject matters.

The opening 3 songs Artificial Goliath, Tainted Woman and Holy One Conspiracy start the album in true Doom Metal fashion with blazing riffs that are from the old school of Sabbathian inspired licks. The psychedelic rock grooves allows Black Mammoth to play some fantastic guitar solos when played against the intense heavy drumming.

Later songs on the album such as Sweet Venom Receiver, Here I Am, Envy The Dead and the excellent title track all have deep progressive sounds matched against the dark lyrical content that the band have written here. They manage to create a genuine air of excitement especially if you're a true Black Sabbath fan. Black Mammoth do show their love and appreciation for other legendary bands of the Stoner Metal and Hard Rock scenes. As you will hear influences diverse as Kyuss, Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple and Led Zepplin.

Black Mammoth aren't striving for originality on this album but they will entertain you with their own dark and twisted take on Doom/Stoner Metal music. The production on the album is clear and crisp. With the whole sound of the album manage to feel that this album was actually released from the heyday of 70s Doom Metal/Hard Rock.

Overlord Of The Pleasuredome is a fantastic album. Plain and simple.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Arcadian Child - Afterglow (Album Review)

Release date: November 01^st 2017. Label: Various. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Afterglow - Tracklisting

1.She's On My Mind 02:56

2.Little Late For Love 04:16

3.Rabbit Hole 03:54

4.Electric Red 02:51

5.Irresistible 03:15

6.Run 04:54

7.Afterglow 03:39

8.Used 03:47

Members

Panayiotis Georgio

Stathis Hadjicharalambous

Andreas Kerveros

Christos Dimou

Review

Arcadian Child's debut album – Afterglow – is a weird sounding Psychedelic/Stoner/Hard Rock album with elements of Alternative Rock and Poppy sounds to make them stand out from the Psychedelic/Stoner Rock crowd. The band take influences from the legendary psychedelic sounds of the 60s and 70s but match it with a hard-rocking 90s alt-rock feel.

The opening few tracks – She's On My Mind, Little Late For Love and Rabbit Hole – offer delicious and dark twisted moments of 60s sounding Psychedelic Pop riffs but matched with a hard-edged Stoner Rock groove. The vocals are one of the main highlights of the album as they have elements of David Bowie running throughout them.

Second track – Little Late For Love – is a real pop-psych-stoner rock gem that many bands try their hands at these days. Some successful and some not successful. Though Arcadian Child is one the best examples I've heard in years. As they embrace a commercial pop/rock sound but still offer a more gloomy stoner based atmosphere.

Third track – Rabbit Hole – is another weird sounding musical oddity as the band create a dark and twisted love song. With heartfelt and painful lyrics that match the tender psychedelic sounds the band create here.

Other great songs to check out on the album are: Electric Red, Run, Afterglow and the excellent final song – Used. As Arcadian Child venture into more crazier psychedelic pop/stoner based sounds. This is a very hard album to describe but that's perhaps one of the strengths of this album. As it keeps you guessing which musical direction the band will turn to next. Maybe there could have been a few more songs on the album. As it feels too short and dare I say incomplete.

However Arcadian Child never outstay their welcome and their use of 60s/70s pop style progressive theatrics is bound to find a willing audience within the Psychedelic/Stoner Rock community. My final thoughts on Afterglow is that's a brilliantly entertaining and enchanting album that will hopefully find a bigger audience as possible.

Hopefully Arcadian Child's future albums will sound just as good as their debut album. Awesome stuff.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

ROBUSTFELLOW GIVEAWAY: Robust Lottery.

We're happy to celebrate 1st ever release in Robust Relics Series - Deluxe CD reissue of Eternal Elysium's "Searching Low & High".

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