Stone Machine Electric - Faces (Album Review)

Release Date: September 26th 2025. Record Label: Argonauta Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Faces - Tracklisting

1. Just Another Wizard – 07:53

2. Walls of Hate – 06:32

3. Chroma – 05:24

4. Manic – 09:26

5. Price of It All – 04:51

6. The Alp – 06:25

Members

Mark Kitchens: Drums, HC-TT, and Vocals

William "Dub" Irvin: Guitar and Vocals

Erick Pacheco: Bass

Review

Faces is the sixth full length album from Stone Machine Electric who continue their sonic and trippy journey into the harsh environments of the Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal planes. The record sees the band redefine their own creative existence with their music venturing into heavier areas of Drone, Ambient and Shoegaze for perhaps their most confident record in years. Stone Machine Electric sounds closer to the likes of SLEEP, OM, SUNN 0))) and The Melvins than ever before.

The shamanic vocals from the band are ever present but with the added bonus of the recent addition of Erick Pacheco on bass who provides an electrifying bass line that supplements Mark Kitchens’s brooding drums and William “Dub” Irvin’s sludgy guitars. The TANTRIC environment which appears within the first track of Just Another World lives upto its spaced out theme with amplified sounds that feel like they’re being transmitted from another dimension or the vastness of space itself. The sound is quite sparse and diverse with a direct aggressive performance from Stone Machine Electric I haven’t heard since their earliest recordings.

Second track Walls Of Hate is Stone Machine Electric in full on “PISSED OFF” mode with muscular vocals and powerful lyrics aligning everything up closely to the Droned Out dynamics of the Sludge Metal surroundings that merges into a powerful “LOW & SLOW” performance. The music is wonderfully powerful with the band capturing an atmospheric style of Melodic and Destructive grooves that adds layers of distorted heaviness to the mix. There’s a bleak sense of riff-centric delivery that appears that has a twisted “CAVEMAN” metal effect reminiscent of early-era MASTODON and HIGH ON FIRE at times.

Third track Chroma once again sees Stone Machine Electric swing the creative pendulum further into TANTRIC and MIDDLE EASTERN vibes with a classic Grunge element appearing without sacrificing their Sludge Rock identity. The music is playfully slow at first before Stone Machine Electric once more expand their musical horizons into heavier divisions of AMPLIFIER HEAVINESS and FUZZY REVERB with the vocals having a slight “Doom-Pop” aura within them. Stone Machine Electric then harnesses that classic “MELVINS” creative flow with a superbly executed style of trippy music being projected against a ton of darkly twisted and superbly distorted melodies once more.

The fourth track Manic opts for a slightly Prog Metal delivery with a classic sense of Sludge Metal dynamics that is perhaps all the range today but Stone Machine Electric are wise enough to inject elements of Post-Doom, Space Rock and Cosmic flavours into the song. This is perhaps the standout track of the album as it goes into different and multiple styles of HEAVY RAWK with Erick’s powerful bass being one of favourite aspects of the track once more. Though, Mark and William provide excellent and committed performances as well.

The final two tracks of Price Of it All and The Alp sees Stone Machine Electric continuing to deconstruct the classic lore of Sludge/Stoner Metal and inject a fresh HEAVY perspective with some dynamic riffs that translate into first rate drawn out instrumental passages. 

Faces is perhaps my favourite record from Stone Machine Electric and proves once again why they’re one of the best bands to emerge from the Texas Heavy Rock Scene within the last two decades. This is STONE MACHINE ELECTRIC in their creative element and it’s a brilliant record to fully experience. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the promo.

Faces is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Argonauta Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Psychedelic Stoner Rock Trio STONE MACHINE ELECTRIC Signs With Argonauta Records

Argonauta Records is thrilled to welcome Texas-based stoner rock trio Stone Machine Electric to its ever-growing roster of heavy, boundary-pushing artists! Renowned for their immersive and spacious brand of psychedelic jamming, which they have aptly named Doom Jazz, the band has been crafting their unique sonic identity since 2009.

Formed by Mark Kitchens and William (Dub) Irvin, Stone Machine Electric has been on an evolving journey, solidifying their lineup with the addition of bassist Erick Paxecko in 2023. Over the years, the band has independently released a demo, an EP, and five full-length albums, including their most recent record, The Inexplicable Vibrations of Frequencies Within the Cosmic Netherworld, which saw the light via Desert Records. Their dynamic and powerful live presence has also been captured on the album Vivere, released through Off The Record Label.

No strangers to the road, Stone Machine Electric has extensively toured their home state of Texas, making waves in Arizona, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, and sharing the stage with heavyweights like King Buffalo, Mothership, Wo Fat, and Jucifer. They have also left their mark on the Texas festival circuit, performing at End Hip End It, Fuzzed Out Fest, and Heavy Mash.

The band’s relentless dedication has garnered international attention from tastemakers such as The Obelisk and Doomed & Stoned, as well as praise from local media like Fort Worth Weekly, which described their sound as: "You can practically see Conan praying to Crom right before a battle."

Now, with a new chapter unfolding, Stone Machine Electric is set to release their upcoming album Faces under the Argonauta Records banner. The band comments:

“We're excited to work with Gero and Argonauta Records on releasing Faces as the next stop in our journey as Stone Machine Electric! It will be great to be a part of what Argonauta has contributed to the heavy underground and look forward to bringing our style of heavy into the fold of the other great bands that make up what this label is about. We are honored to work with Argonauta, and are looking forward to getting our new music out as far as it can reach.”

Stay tuned for more details on Faces, tour dates, and further announcements from Stone Machine Electric and Argonauta Records!

FOLLOW STONE MACHINE ELECTRIC:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StoneMachineElectric
Bandcamp: https://stonemachineelectric.bandcamp.com/

FOLLOW ARGONAUTA RECORDS:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for all of the details.

Stone Machine Electric - The Inexplicable Vibrations Of Frequencies Within The Cosmic Netherworld (Album Review)

Date Released: December 04th 2020. Label: Desert Records. Format: CD/DD

The Inexplicable Vibrations Of Frequencies Within The Cosmic Netherworld - Tracklisting

1. Journey on the Nile

2. At Crystal Lake...
3. Free Thought

Band Members

Kitchens - Druns

Dub - Guitars

Review

Stone Machine Electric return with their new full length album The Inexplicable Vibrations Of Frequencies Within The Cosmic Netherworld. That’s perhaps the most creative and craziest album title of the year so far. Though, it gives you a good indication where the Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal Duo are going with their 4th album and it’s a heavy and hazy progressive journey in the Psyche of Spaced Out Doom/Stoner Rock.

Kitchens and Dub aim high with this release as the album takes a surreal journey with the 3 songs on the album. You get 3 new tracks from the band with the 3rd song - Free Thought - being recorded live earlier this year.

Opening song - Journey On The Nile - sees the band channel their inner Hawkwind, OM and Sleep with a deep progressive Pink Floyd influence leading the way. The song lasts for 20 minutes and offers the perfect balance of meditative Drone sounds before the band throw caution to the wind and play a heavier and almost apocalyptic style of Doom/Stoner Metal. The band still play a more calmer style of music whilst retaining their heavy groove. This is a Progressive Doom/Stoner Metal song of the highest order and easily ranks as some of the best work the band have released to date.

The interplay between Kitchens and Dub is pure poetry at times with the Drums and Guitars operating in a more exciting blend of almost “Jazz” based ideas throughout the album.

Second song - At Crystal Lake - sees the band step away from the heavier sounds for the first half of the song and remain in more Post-Rock territory with a mellow style of Doom and Stoner Rock. I will admit I was expecting something heavier with this song but the more I listened to this song, the more I admired the styles of music the band offers on this song. The song lasts for 15 minutes and the band include many different themes yet again with a song that never gives up in bringing superb sounding Progressive and Psychedelic grooves that the band are known for. This song is perhaps best described as Ambient Stoner Rock with the heavy riffs appearing at different stages of the song.

Third song - Free Thought - is a live track recorded earlier this year lasting another 9 minutes and it shows the band in all their live technicolour glory. This song carries on the same feels heard in the other two songs but with a more experimental and stripped back approach. This was a great decision to include a live performance of this song. As it brings you closer to the band that you would initially expect.

With these guys being natives of Texas then it wouldn’t be a true Stone Machine Electric record without the genius of Kent Stump (WO FAT) being part of the recording process and it’s good to see Kent has helped to master and record this album. With Josh Block helping on the epic 1st song from his famous Niles City Sound music studio. So this album offers some of the best Doom/Stoner Rock that Texas has to offer and shows there’s a close burgeoning community over there.

Stone Machine Electric have delivered an out-of-this-world Doom/Stoner Rock extravaganza and will no doubt have their fair share of critical plaudits coming their way. This is a must have album to own especially if you’re a dedicated follower of the band and the Doom/Stoner Rock community.

Words By Steve Howe

Thanks to Desert Records and Stone Machine Electric for the promo.

The Inexplicable Vibrations Of Frequencies Within The Cosmic Netherworld will be available to buy on CD/DD via Desert Records from December 04th 2020.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Stone Machine Electric - Darkness Dimensions Disillusion (Album Review)

Release date: April 26th 2019. Label: Sludgelord Records. Format: Cassette Tape/DD/CD

Darkness Dimensions Disillusion – Tracklisting

1.Sum of Man 12:48

2.SAND 08:19

3.Circle 04:44

4.Purgatory 14:00

Members

Dub - Guitar/Vocals

Kitchens - Drums/Vocals/Theremin

Review

Darkness Dimensions Disillusion is the new album from Texas Sludge/Doom Rock duo – Stone Machine Electric. This is the first album I’ve listened to from Stone Machine Electric since their 2017 offering – Vivere and I was intrigued on what to expect on this album. As the band are known for changing their style of sound through the course of their recording career which stretches back to almost a decade from 2010.

This album sees the band creating a heavier and doomier sound with elements of Psychedelic Metal, Stoner Metal and even elements of Progressive Rock and Jazz Music on various stages of the album. It’s quite a wild ride with Stone Machine Electric switching musical genres from the start.

Opening song – Sum Of Man – opens with a haunting Psychedelic Doom style Synth score that reminded me of the classic 1982 Blade Runner soundtrack. Though that soon gives way to a heavier Sludge/Doom Metal sound that’s played at a medium pace. The heavy sludgy riffs are distorted for the most part and the vocals feel inspired by Al Cisneros in places. The music has a Drone based quality to them and this allows Stone Machine Electric to play a more experimental style of Doom/Stoner Metal.

Second song – SAND – is where the band add a more “Jazz” heavy influence into their warped blend of Psychedelic Doom and Stoner Metal. Stone Machine Electric have the term “Weirdo” listed on their BandCamp Page and that’s a great way how to describe this song. As the song is quite complex in places and actually does have a “Weirdo” outlook on life. Though the song can also be described as FUNK METAL as well with the Funk/Jazz guitars that make up a large part of this song. The band do feel inspired by CLUTCH on this song and that is no bad thing.

Third song – Circle – is the more straight-forward Stoner Rock/Metal song held on the album. As the song only lasts under 5 minutes and the band have less time to play with. So it’s good to see Stone Machine Electric not forgetting their Stoner Rock roots and play a more exciting and hard-rocking tune that’s packed full of great heavy riffs.

Fourth song – Purgatory – is the standout song on the record as it features Kent Stump of WO FAT fame providing additional guitars. I’m a huge fan of Kent and it’s always good to hear Kent appearing on other bands projects. This song is definitely the weirdest one of the bunch with Stone Machine Electric adding a sinister 70s sounding Doom Metal atmosphere to the song. Add a pinch of theatrical sounding Occult Rock guitars and you have the makings of a Progressive Doomed Out experience that only Stone Machine Electric can deliver.

With Stone Machine Electric being from Texas and like all good Doom/Stoner Metal bands from Texas, they drafted in Kent Stump to Produced, Mixed and Mastered the album at the almost legendary Crystal Clear Sound in Dallas, Texas. That’s the reason why this album sounds so damn good. Kent is one of the best producers around not only in Texas but within the Doom/Stoner Metal community and this album is a testament not only to Kent’s talents but also to Stone Machine Electric.

As they have delivered their best album to date with Darkness Dimensions Disillusion.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

You can buy the album on Cassette Tape/CD/DD via Sludgelord Records.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Stone Machine Electric - Vivere (Album Review)

Release date: January 27^th 2017. Label: Off The Record. Format: CD/DD

Vivere – Tracklisting

1.I Am Fire 07:00

2."mindless meanderings" 02:54

3.Dreaming 10:28

4."invented passages" 02:41

5.PorR 13:26

6.I Am Fire (Slightly Burned) 04:01

Band Members

Dub - Guitar/Vocals

Kitchens - Drums/Vocals/Theremin

Review

Stone Machine Electric have been playing their blend of Psych Doom/Stoner Rock since 2009 and within that time they have released quite a few records since then. Their new album is a live album recorded on June 3^rd 2016. Vivere is a very loud affair with the band playing a selection of their finest songs live on stage.

Stone Machine Electric aren't your usual Doom/Stoner Rock band as the guys include a wide range of different noises and sounds into their music. Their music has a jam based experimental feel though the band know how to play some mean riffs. Vivere is a very good live album indeed with songs such as I Am Fire, Dreaming and PorR being the main highlights. As the band impress with epic psych based jams merged with loud riffs and vocals to match.

The album itself sounds good for a live album and that's probably down to the people who mixed and mastered the album. Wo Fat's Kent Stump mixed the album and Ryan Lee mastered the album. Both of whom know a thing or two on how a record should sound.

Vivere feels and sounds like a true live album. It's very raw sounding parts but that shows the true authenticity of the album. It allows Vivere to be a true sounding representation of the band when performing live. If you're primarily here for loud riffs then you'll be in your element here. Though expect a few moments of heavy experimentation that may unsettle the casual listeners out there.

Other than that, Vivere is an excellent live album. If you're a long time fan of Stone Machine Electric check this out as it's a worthwhile album to your collection.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp