UK Heavy Rock Pillars STEAK to release new self-titled album on Ripple Music and Stickman Records this October 9th; new singles available now!

UK progressive stoner rock spearhead STEAK have announced the release of their fourth studio full-length "Steak" this October 9th, in collaboration with Ripple Music (North America) and Stickman Records (Europe & UK). Stream the first two singles "Cometh" and "Luxury Junk" now!

London-based heavy rock heroes STEAK have recently released their new single Luxury Junk, the latest track from their forthcoming self-titled studio album, due this fall through Ripple Music (North America) and Stickman Records (Europe/UK).

Following the badass, comic-inspired first single Cometh (designed by Schoph and animated by director Samuel Smith), "Luxury Junk" offers another glimpse into the band's next chapter, expanding on STEAK's unmistakable blend of crushing riffs, desert rock grooves and immersive sonic weight. Equal parts hypnotic and hard-hitting, the track explores themes of escapism, excess and emotional detachment, wrapped in a hazy atmosphere that balances raw heaviness with an almost otherworldly sense of longing.

One track after another, the UK quintet continues to showcase the depth and diversity of their upcoming album, further building anticipation for what promises to be one of the band's most ambitious and powerful releases to date.

 
New album "Steak" - Out October 9th on Ripple Music (North America) and Stickman Records (Europe/UK) - Preorder coming soon

Hailing from London, STEAK have established themselves as a key force within the global desert rock and stoner scene. Known for their relentless riffs, hypnotic grooves, and high-energy live performances, the band has built a strong following across Europe and beyond.

Blending elements of classic heavy rock with modern fuzz-drenched intensity, STEAK continue to push their sound into darker and heavier territories while staying rooted in the spirit of the desert rock movement. Self-described as a “shit kickin’ band”, their ethos reflects the raw, no-frills energy that defines both their recordings and their explosive live shows. Earlier this summer, the band joined Nashville heavy rock giants All Them Witches as special guests on selected tour dates, further cementing their reputation as a must-see act within the heavy underground scene.

Steak links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Ripple Music links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Stickman Records links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the detials.

Stoned Jesus Announce New Album 'Songs to Moon' And Release New Song/Video For VELVET

After 15 years of trailblazing across doom metal, grunge, psychedelic and art rock, no height is too steep a climb for Stoned Jesus. The heavy progressive rockers are reaching a new creative peak with their forthcoming album trilogy. Its opening chapter, Songs to Sun, rose atop best of 2025 lists at Doom Charts, Rock Hard, The Obelisk and other critical institutions. 

Now, frontman Igor Sydorenko and his two bandmates are cycling into the darkest, most daring and deeply moving territory of their career with Songs To Moon.

 "We started The Songs trilogy last year with Songs to Sun, which is a loud and heavy album that's big on choruses and meaty riffs" Sydorenko says. 

"While still heavy and catchy, Songs to Moon follows a similar trajectory to Led Zeppelin III, Opeth's Damnation or Jar of Flies by Alice In Chains. The songs are recognizably Stoned Jesus, but they are bolder, more haunting and introspective than anything we've done before". 

Today, Stoned Jesus are announcing Songs to Moon with a '90s-style music video for the album's lead single. While floating endlessly amidst uncertainty, the doomgaze of "Velvet" hits hard with one of the band's biggest hooks. 

"This song answers the question: What if Nirvana was shoegaze?", Sydorenko teases. 

Watch the music video for "Velvet" below:

Recording Lineup:

Igor Sydorenko — Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Andrew Rodin — Bass, Backing Vocals
Yurii Ciel — Drums, Backing Vocals

Guest Musicians:

Renie Fiske (Dungen) - Guitar Solo on "Syzgy"

Live Lineup:

Igor Sydorenko — Vocals, Guitar
Andrew Rodin — Bass, Backing Vocals
Ihor Biriuchenko — Drums, Percussion

Production Credits:

Producer — Igor Sydorenko
Sound Engineer — Andy Rosczyk
Mixing and Mastering Engineer — Karl Daniel Lidén
Recording Studio — Goblin Sound Studio in Cologne, Germany
Mixing and Mastering Studio — StudioTri-Lamb, Sweden

Cover Art:

Vadym "Karaska" Karasiov

Pre-order & Pre-save: https://orcd.co/stonedjesussongstomoon

Available Formats:

CD Digipak
12” Vinyl Jacket (Black)
12” Vinyl Jacket (Turquoise vinyl)
12” Vinyl Jacket (Blood moon marbled)
12” Vinyl Jacket (Natural transparent, green and purple marbled)

Follow Stoned Jesus:

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/stonedjesusband
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/stoned-jesus/396799004
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/23lyMLxYNPS15hpVvFNptR
Instagram: instagram.com/stonedjesusband
Facebook: http://facebook.com/stonedjesusband
Twitter: twitter.com/stonedjesusband
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stonedjesusband
YouTube: youtube.com/c/StonedJesus
Bandcamp: stonedjesus.bandcamp.com

Thanks to Season Of Mist for the details. 

Faerie Ring - Faerie Ring (Album Review)

Release Date: August 21st 2026. Record Label: King Volume Records. Formats: CD/DD/Tape/Vinyl

Faerie Ring - Tracklist

1.NEW GODS

2.FATTEST WITCH

3.BIGGIEST HIT

4.LOST BOY

5.FLAIL

6.DRAGGIN

7.HOWLING AT THE MISTY MOON

8.GARGOYLE

9.NO SURRENDER

10.CHAMPION

Members

James Wallwork - Electric Guitar/Vocals

Kyle Hulgus - Electric Guitar

Alex Wallwork - Electric Bass Guitar/Vocals

Matt McGuyer - Drums & Cymbals

Review

Faerie Ring made quite a name for themselves with their first two records which showed the band had a mighty promise for all things Doom, Sludge and Stoner Rock that was lovingly wrapped in a cocoon of distorted slice of psychedelic heaviness. However, it feels the band have gone back to basics for their third album and went straight back to the drawing board. For a start, this is a self-titled album which opens a new chapter for the band. They’ve stripped their music down to the bare essentials and you’re left with a quintessential vintage sounding record that’s main creative strengths lies within its great use of modern day technicolour melodies and cinematic flair.

The album sees Faerie Ring use elements of Seventies Hard Rock, Proto-Doom and Heavy Metal whilst adding a backdrop of modern day Prog Metal, Sludge Rock, Stoner Rock and Fuzz Rock grooves. There’s a wicked style of Garage Rock ferocity that’s used for the creepy level of distortion that’s hidden in the background and pulling all the strings for when the heavy sounds fully appear.

Taking cues from the likes of The Sword, Mastodon, Thin Lizzy, The Obsessed, King Buffalo and ELDER whilst creating an album solely in your own image is no small feat but Faerie Ring pulls this off magnificently. The band opens up with the stunning opening tracks of New Gods and Fattest Witch which allows them to lay down their new found creative credentials with a massive melting pot of WEEDIAN SMOKE buried amongst those vintage burning amps and distorted sludge metal surroundings. 

They add a great fantastical style of storytelling into their lyrics which is epic in scale with massive amounts of OVER THE TOP themes just allowing the listener to fully go along with the whole record. Faerie Ring slowly start changing their music through every track with a stubborn musical energy being played that makes them simply unbeatable on the day on tracks such as Biggest Hit, Flail, Draggin, Howling At The Misty Moon, Champion and No Surrender.

Faerie Ring aligned themselves more to the burgeoning modern day Psych Stoner Rock scene championed by the likes of ELDER, King Buffalo and Howling Giant on the later stages of the record. However, I also noticed instances of TORCHE based Doom Pop atmospherics which isn’t surprising with Jonathan Nunez on mastering duties on this record which I only discovered until very recently. 

This is the type of album that I wanted The Sword to continue making to this day instead of some of the more mainstream efforts they actually released. This record is going to be a game changer as it’s heartfelt when it matters and DOOM AS HELL when that heavy slab of DOOMED OUT aggression is needed. 

As I stated previously in this review, this record has a core Seventies Heavy Rock aesthetic embedded within its whole DNA and the way how the music is played and wholly delivered, this record feels like it was recorded over fifty years ago but finally being discovered in the modern age for the very first time. The album has that huge vintage feeling but with a superb modern based delivery at the same time.

Faerie Ring’s self-titled album is an absolute breathtaking record from beginning to end and one that’s packed full of classic sounding tracks throughout. This could actually be a game changer for the band and even elevate them to the same status as King Buffalo and Howling Giant in the next eighteen months or so. 

This is another ALBUM OF THE YEAR contender. Add this record to your collection now. END OF!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Pat at Poetica Marketing for the promo.

Faerie Ring is available to buy now on CD/DD/Tape/Vinyl.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Mean Green - Castle (Album Review)

Release Date: August 14th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Castle - Tracklist

1. Castle (3:45)

2. Sludge Puppy (4:33)

3. Employee Of The Month (6:23)

4. Wild Bill (4:30)

5. Slack Jaw (5:26)

6. Cyclone (5:01)

7. Wasteland (5:16)

Members

Jake Helms - Guitar, Vocals

Alex Wierback - Bass

James Matthews - Drums

Review

Castle is the sophomore album of WEEDIAN Metallers Mean Green and sees the band expand their heavy filthy hallucinogenic sound even further compared to their acclaimed 2023 self-titled debut album. Mean Green have always leaned more heavily into the Sludge Metal camp with sludgy passages influenced by the likes of HIGH ON FIRE, WEEDEATER and BONGZILLA. 

The added layers of Doomed Out FUZZ allows a slight Electric Wizard and Church Of Misery vibe to slowly creep in. Mean Green allows some trippy SONIC experimentation flow through their music with shades of Classic Rock Legends such as Cactus, Blue Cheer and Saint Vitus spliced throughout this vicious sounding record. The LOW & SLOW grooves have a calculated and methodical delivery to them which sees some of the heaviest AMPLIFIED surrounding melodies developing on the album thanks to tracks such as Castle, Sludge Puppy, Employee Of The Month and Cyclone.

Mean Green have really improved their technical ability in handling their Psychedelic and Space Rock creative themes as this record is more definitely more drugged out with trippier sonic passages emerging from the down tuned catacombs that the band expertly construct. With a thrilling progressive sound allowing Mean Green to move into the Southern Metal arena with epic outbursts of NOLA aggression changing the album into a faster style of delivery which is where the real magic happens. 

The vocals from Jake Helms haven’t changed much from the band’s acclaimed debut album but they have grown up with a violent delivery that oozes confidence from start to finish. Jake feels more comfortable here and he fully owns the demented front-man role he plays with absolute demented relish here. Add his intense guitar performance which allows Alex Wierback on Bass and James Matthews on Drums to fully commit to their violent rhythm section for some of the meanest, thickest and violent sounds that they brilliantly deliver.

Castle becomes a more violent Sludge Metal based journey with continuous levels of filth keeping everything brutally real with some of the thickest sonic passages you ever want to lose yourself in. The lyrics show a real violent flair which are quite close to the likes of WEEDZILLA and CHURCH OF MISERY but it fully sells the twisted vision of Castle that even allows Mean Green to indulge some mighty fine Progressive Sludge/Stoner Metal musical solos along the way that would make MASTODON green with envy!!!

Mean Green have expertly avoided the dreaded sophomore / second album curse with Castle. As this record alone feels like a statement of intent from the band that they mean business and they’re going to be around for a very long time to come. With a non-stop supply of WEEDIAN grooves to drown your hearing with, Mean Green have come of age with this outstanding record. Accept no substitute, these guys are the real fucking deal.  

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the promo.

Castle is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl.

Links

Facebook | Instagram | BandCamp

Holystone - Accepting Omega (Album Review)

Release Date: July 17th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Accepting Omega - Tracklist

1.The Prophecy (Jaws of Victory) 04:10

2.Brave Design 02:51

3.Guided by Stones 05:01

4.Procession 06:32

5.Sleepwalker 03:50

6.The Accomplice Pt.I (The Offer) 01:42

7.The Accomplice Pt.II (Father's Funeral) 05:38

8.Cavitation 05:34

9.The Oracle Speaks 04:21

Members

Drums - Jonny Pickvance

Bass - Jack Bratt

Extra bass - Madi Morris

Guitar - Wolfe Peterson

Vocals - Madison Morris & Wolfe Peterson

Review

Doom/Grunge/Stoner Metallers Holystone return with a heavier and spacier sound compared to their 2024 debut album East of the Sun, West of the Moon. Their second record Accepting Omega operates in the same vicinity of the likes of TORCHE and FLOOR with a sludgy melodic soundscape developing from very early stages. However, there are still familiar musical steps of Grunge, Psych and Doom Metal that were first laid down on their excellent debut album.

There’s a deeper scope on melody, aggression and spaced out surroundings that feel more fully fleshed out which is perhaps down to the inclusion of new band member Madison Morris who is now on Bass and Vocal duties though I think previous bassist Jack Bratt lends a hand here on some of the tracks. Accepting Omega is a sludgier excursion in darker, deeper and heavier territory whilst keeping an epic style of modern “Doom-Pop” landscapes. 

You can feel influences such as Soundgarden, The Melvins and HUM lending a creative hand which still allows Holystone to still sound downright original in their own right. The DOOM & GLOOM aspect does give way to more melodic passages that gives Madison a great chance to shine on the emotionally charged vocal passages that appear from time-to-time. With some screeching guitars and levels of distorted feedback giving an uneasy feeling at times, Holystone aren’t afraid to to develop a heavier and threatening style of Space Rock and Cosmic Doom with some intense instrumental passages moving into the DRONE stratosphere.

The lyrics can be quite “POPPY” and “INDIE” based with the surrounding Post-Whatever elements transforming into a faster style of music where different psychedelic vibes transform into ethereal extended instrumental jams that will sure delight fans of the mighty MELVINS and SOUNDGARDEN.

Sometimes the album does sound like it has two different approaches with how the music is fully delivered which isn’t surprising since half of the album was recorded by Jack Endino (Tracks - 1, 2, 4, and 8) and Dave Catching (Tracks - 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9). However, this works to the album’s favour as this record keeps you on your toes as you don’t know what to expect next. Holystone has delivered an actual record that feels like the actual elements are battling against each other but in an amazing “QUIET vs LOUD” or “HEAVY vs CALM” dynamic. 

This is about the third time I’ve written a review for this album and previous versions focused on track-by-track analysis which I wasn’t fully happy with. All I can say is to go into this record and expect a journey that takes many unexpected twists and turns throughout the whole Grunge, Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal dynamic. Accepting Omega feels like a record broken down into individual chapters where the parts don’t necessarily fit the way you expect and you have to make your own conclusions. Though, the end result is a journey that’s absolutely hypnotic and superbly breathtaking to listen to with Holystone delivering classic RIFFS through every track going.

The vocals are superbly delivered throughout with Madison and Wolfe Petersen working brilliantly well together but also sometimes against each other in the most adventurous moments of the whole album. This record has a completely destructive cinematic feel which allows Holystone to be absolutely fearless with their music especially on tracks such as: The Prophecy (Jaws Of Victory), Brave Design, Procession, The Accomplice II (Father’s Funeral) and The Oracle Speaks.

Accepting Omega is an absolute joy to listen with Holystone blending those intense gloomy aesthetics to a non-stop energy of modern day Doom/Stoner Metal that ultimately dares to be completely different.

This is a record you seriously need to listen to right now. As Holystone may be primed to become one of the next breakout acts to emerge from the underground scene. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Accepting Omega is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Sludgers Mean Green drop new single "Employee Of The Month" and a ripping live cover video of "War Pigs"

Following lead single "Wasteland", Mean Green have just dropped "Employee Of The Month", a crusher the band hold close to their hearts.

The band states, "[former bandmate] Alex wrote this one. It meant a lot to him and us. Unfortunately he’s not playing with us for the time being, but he may return one day. This one goes out to him."

Adds guitarist/vocalist Jake Helms, "The solo that starts at 4:20 (nice) has a good story behind it. While recording the album we were away from home for a week. On the tail end of recording, one night my girlfriend who lived with me called me up and said she was leaving and taking my dog with her. The solo you hear in the song is the first take of the session the next morning straight off the dome, she’s gone but I kept my fucking dog (his name is Riff). So thanks for the inspiration behind that one Emily.”

War Pigs

Not ones to rest easy, in addition to Castle's new riffs Mean Green have also just dropped a live recording of an extra nasty cover of "War Pigs".

While on tour and wanting to pay tribute to the late Ozzy, the band put together a sludged-out take on "War Pigs". The last piece of the puzzle fell into place when roadie Logan Felder, also of North Carolina blackened crust punks VRAS, hopped on vocals, and lightning in a bottle was captured.

Mean Green is a three-piece sludge outfit with all the subtlety of a rusted-out square body with glass packs - and the fortitude of a rabid opossum in heat. Armed with riffs as thick as a bowl of cold grits, the band blends crushing sludge, classic rock swagger, and raw Southern grime into a live show built to hit hard and leave a lasting mark.

Mean Green released their self-titled debut album to wide acclaim in 2023, and are proud to present their sophomore LP, “Castle”.

Fusing the crushing weight of High on Fire and Sleep with the gritty, blues-soaked swagger of ’70s rock acts like Foghat, Cactus, and Cream, Mean Green deliver the heavy goods on “Castle”.

Leading the charge is single "Wasteland", a ripper of a track where crushing tone and gravel-chewing vocals set the foundation for a dark, psychedelic journey. Notes guitarist and vocalist Jake Helms, “I wrote this when I was tripping on acid watching 2001 a space odyssey on a broken tv with no volume".

Get lost in the Wasteland on July 23rd and get stoked for the full album "Castle" out August 14th.

Second single "Employee Of The Month" drops Friday, July 31st.

Mean Green will also be headlining the Wicked Doom Festival August 29th in Worcester, Massachusetts alongside Sundrifter, Worshipper, Üga Büga, and more.

Mean Green - Employee Of The Month (single)

Single out July 31st
Album "Castle" out August 14th
Self-released (Digital, Vinyl)
Boone, North Carolina
Mastered by Steven Raets
FFO: Weedeater, Buzzoven, Toke, Telekinetic Yeti, Bongzilla

Castle album credits:

Jake Helms - Guitar, Vocals
Alex Wierback - Bass
James Matthews - Drums

Mean Green is:

Jake Helms - Guitar, Vocals
Cole Franklin - Bass
James Matthews - Drums

Tracklist:

1. Castle (3:45)
2. Sludge Puppy (4:33)
3. Employee Of The Month (6:23)
4. Wild Bill (4:30)
5. Slack Jaw (5:26)
6. Cyclone (5:01)
7. Wasteland (5:16)

Links:

Facebook | Instagram | BandCamp

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the details.

Swedish Doom/Sludge/Stoner Power Trio Vulture Neck announce debut S/T album out September 4th 2026

Vulture Neck dwell in Stockholm, Sweden and have been riffing together since 2018. They’ve done a handful of live performances and released three digital EPs/singles. The music has elements of old school Doom, Sludge, Heavy Metal and Hard Rock, once even described as a mix between Venom and ZZ Top! This rather broad and crooked path has been a conscious choice from the band to make their sonic trip more interesting. The lyrics are composed by singer Magnus Öhrn and convey an atmosphere reflective of our inevitable, impending doom.

Lyrical concepts like drowning, the Black Plague, Death (in the form of Phantom Carriage by Selma Lagerlöf), scavengers and volcanoes befit the rawness of the music. The debut self-titled full-length is recorded and mixed by the band themselves and professionally mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege.

First out the gate is lead single “Raining Fire, Raining Stones”. A driving, fist-pumper of a track that grinds forward with filthy fuzz. Amidst the assault the band take moments to step back and expand into dark, doomy psychedelia, before diving back into sludgy fury.

“Raining Fire, Raining Stones” will be available on streaming August 21st, and the debut self-titled album drops September 4th.

Vulture Neck - S/T

Album out September 4th, 2026
Self-released (Digital)
Stockholm, Sweden
FFO: Cities of Mars, Them Crooked Vultures, Masters of Reality, Hot Ram

Vulture Neck is:

Östen Jäderberg (ex-I 11:e Timmen, ex-Tranquilizers) - Drums
Magnus Öhrn (Kungens Män, ex-I 11:e Timmen) - Vocals, Bass
Martin Sällström (Blissful Stream, ex-I 11:e Timmen, ex-Pest (Swe)) - Vocals, Guitar

Tracklist:

1. Höst (2:46)
2. Rat Riders (7:03)
3. Phantom Carriage (5:16)
4. Raining Fire, Raining Stones (3:44)
5. Bright Lights Descending (5:53)
6. Hand Of A Drowning Man (5:55)
7. Abyss Made Of Stone (7:06)

Links:

Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Push.fm

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the details.

Johnny Tirade and The Circle of Futures Past - What is at the beginning of eternity, the end of time, the beginning of every end, and the end of every place? (EP Review)

Release Date: August 07th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

What is at the beginning of eternity, the end of time, the beginning of every end, and the end of every place? - Tracklist

1.Hey Man 03:32

2.Lizard Johnny 04:32

3.Memory Hole 16:54

4.American Dream 02:15

5.Tried To Improv Something Cool 04:44

Review

What is at the beginning of eternity, the end of time, the beginning of every end, and the end of every place? is the debut EP from Stoner Metallers Johnny Tirade & The Circle Of Futures Past. The record is a great mix of Stoner, Punk, Psych, Sludge and Doom with a great slice of grimy Industrial Metal. Imagine Monster Magnet jamming with Ministry and that’s where you end up with this cool sounding band. It’s quite a raw sounding record with it’s Punk Rock based vocals that remind me of other classic sounding Hard Rock bands.

The record lasts around thirty two minutes with extended instrumental Stoner jams that have that classic Monster Magnet energy to them. Sometimes the record can be a bit manic the best of times but everything is played with purpose especially on the shorter tracks of Hey Man, Lizard Johnny, American Dream and Tried To Improv Something Cool. You can hear some classic FU MANCHU vibes along the way that’s merged with classic Heavy Metal themes. 

The standout track has to be the epic third track Memory Hole which lasts around seventeen minutes in length. This is where Johnny Tirade & The Circle Of Futures Past go all out and employ every musical and creative trick they have at their disposal for a mind warping STONER METAL odyssey which sees the sludgy and industrial sounds to fully emerge. The sound is also held together by a distorted DOOM METAL vibe which oozes danger from the very start. The LOW & SLOW and FEEDBACK sound effects allows the band to opt for a gloomy stripped back sound.

Though, the thumping bass allows Johnny Tirade & The Circle Of Futures Past to venture back into the Stoner Metal arena with some soundclips of The Riddler (Jim Carrey) from Batman Forever appearing before more hard hitting vocals appear. Then a saxophone appeared out of nowhere which almost took me out of the whole record. I’m not the biggest admirer of Saxophone appearing within Doom/Stoner Metal but it’s not too bad here. That’s my only complaint for a demented and cool sounding track such as this. 

What is at the beginning of eternity, the end of time, the beginning of every end, and the end of every place? Is what the classic Monster Magnet debut record “TAB” would sound like if it was given a modern day schizophrenic Industrial Metal makeover. There’s a ton of warped musical mechanics being applied throughout which blur the lines between fantasy and reality that is perhaps the whole sound that Johnny Tirade & The Circle Of Futures Past are ultimately aiming for.

The record does lose steam before the end but you can’t deny the sheer boldness and brilliant creativity that Johnny Tirade & The Circle Of Futures Past have achieved here. If you’re in the mood for a mind-expanding experience but still hearing some classic Stoner Metal grooves along the way then let Johnny Tirade & The Circle Of Futures Past be your cosmic tour guide whey they will take you into the next fucked up musical dimension that awaits you here.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Chameleon Death Eruption - The Decay (EP Review)

 

Release Date: July 03rd 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats:DD

The Decay - Tracklist

1.Hardly Dare to Hope 03:56

2.Dance or Die 03:53

3.1000 Cranes 03:58

4.I Grieve 04:12

Lineup

Baer - Songwriting, Lyrics, Guitars, Vocals

Holle - Recording, Mixing, Production, Drums

Minzer - Bass

Review

The Decay is the second EP from Grunge/Stoner Rockers Chameleon Death Eruption that follows on from last year’s debut EP - The Death. The record is a sludgy mix of distorted Grungy momentum with the band delving into the fuzzier depths of Doom and Noise Rock. The whole sound is quite abrasive with a classic Nineties Metal energy with influences such as TAD, Soundgarden and The Melvins appearing with the gloomy sludgy surroundings of Alice In Chains.

The vocals have a demanding Post-Punk vibe which aren’t the most polished but they get the job done thanks to the excellent delivery by lead vocalist Baer who also doubles down on guitar duties, songwriting and lyrics as well. This is a very fast paced record with an aggressive amount of Fuzz Rock attitude solidifying against that rebellious Noise Rock swagger on tracks such as Hardly Dare To Hope, Dance Or Die and I Grieve.

Chameleon Death Eruption have an excellent DIY Punk Rock ethic which comes across within the stripped back production values The Decay contains. There’s some fantastic slabs of melodic based Sludge Rock appearing which gives the band a more straight forward drive within their overall sound but you can’t help admire the more off-beat Punk Rock and Noise Rock vibes that appear within different stages of the EP.

Chameleon Death Eruption is a superb hard-rocking EP that allows Chameleon Death Eruption to add a new style of Sludge Rock/Metal heaviness compared to their debut EP. 

Check out when you can. As this is so damn good. Highly recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Frenchie PR Trail for the promo.

Takeoffs & Landings Four is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl from the links below:

Links 

BandCamp | Instagram

November Fire - Doom Blues (Single Review)

Release Date: August 05th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Doom Blues - Tracklist

Doom Blues

Lineup

Terry Aubie: Bass, vocals, lyrics

Dave Hubai: Guitars

Jim Kelley: Drums

Review

Doom/Stoner Metallers November Fire return with the second single and title track from their upcoming album Doom Blues due out later this year. This song is quite a progressive and seedy number set amongst the Doomed Out Cosmos with fuzzy guitars perfectly setting the scene for this space rock adventure. If you ever wondered what would happen if Monster Magnet, Danzig and Type O Negative joined creative forces then this is perhaps the best possible outcome. As Doom Blues is a slow paced number with areas of Doom, Fuzz, Grunge and Stoner Rock sounds with a dangerous aura of destructive forces hidden behind the scenes.

The vocals are equally outlandish thanks to the great work of Terry Aubie who projects his maddening “Dave Wyndorf” highly inspired persona whilst offering a true Post-Punk spirit amongst the most surreal moments where the excellent lyrics really come into their own. The music itself has a warped identity of its own and is never afraid to be truly outlandish and outrageous in equal measure especially within the slow-to-mid paced delivery of the whole song.

Though, my favourite aspect of Doom Blues is how November Fire overlaps different areas of Psych, Rock, Drone and Fuzz Rock grooves into a slightly nightmarish Stoner Rock style with that classic Blues Rock element finally starting to break free from the madness of it all. The later stages of the song is where all hell breaks loose where every member of the band (Terry Aubie, Dave Hubai and Jim Kelley) all try to wrestle full control of the band with some epic instrumental solos developing before unity is restored for a highly impressive finish that leaves you fully satisfied.

On the basis of this track alone then I’m quite excited to say that Doom Blues is one of my most anticipated records to listen and review before the year is out. 

Words by Steve Howe

Links 

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

HASHTRONAUT: fall US tour announced - Denver stoner doom trio HASHTRONAUT to take over the West Coast this fall!

Denver, Colorado's stoner doom specialists HASHTRONAUT announce an extensive West Coast fall run, to kick off in Denver this October 2nd, to spread the weedy gospel about their acclaimed debut album "No Return" on Blues Funeral Recordings.

Red-eyed at the crossroads of thunderous stoner sludge and towering doom, HASHTRONAUT daze and inebriate the riff-obsessed masses on this planet and beyond. Released in 2024 on Blues Funeral Recordings, their acclaimed debut album "No Return" is a resiny slab in the grand tradition of weed-fiend odysseys from Sleep to Bongzilla, an intoxicating and pummeling trip with a lungful of potent hook-doom and strikingly anthemic vocals, hailed as "the most perfect weedian debut album of 2024" by Outlaws of the Sun and "the next big thing in stoner metal” by Clean and Sober Stoner.

HASHTRONAUT are now set to rise from the Mile High City and descend upon the West Coast with a battery of bone-crushing riffs and earth-shaking low-end, as they announce an extensive string of shows for October. Get those bongs ready...

Hashtronaut fall US tour: October 2026:

10/2 - Denver, CO - Hi-Dive
10/3 - Albuquerque, NM - Ren's Den
10/4 - Phoenix, AZ - Linger Longer Lounge
10/6 - El Centro, CA - MEXCA
10/7 - San Diego, CA - Tower Bar
10/8 - Los Angeles, CA - The Redwood Bar
10/9 - Palmdale, CA - Transplants Brewing Co
10/10 - Berkeley, CA - Spats
10/11 - Reno, NV - The Alpine
10/13 - Sacramento, CA - Cafe Colonial
10/15 - Tacoma, WA - The Valley
10/16 - Portland, OR - Shanghai Tunnel
10/17 - Seattle, WA - Belltown Yacht Club
10/18 - Port Angeles, WA - Little Devil's Lunchbox
10/20 - Bellingham, WA - TBD
10/21 - Olympia, WA - Wild Child
10/22 - Eugene, OR - John Henry's
10/23 - Boise, ID - TBD
10/24 - Salt Lake City, UT - TBD
10/25 - Grand Junction, CO - Cafe Sol

HASHTRONAUT launched into orbit from their Denver-based Mission Control in the summer of 2020. Coalescing through a string of hazy jam sessions during the darkest days of the pandemic, the four-piece began playing live the minute they could, and it took only a few gigs to solidify their electrifying reputation in the Colorado heavy scene. With a distinct sonic identity that channels classic elements from Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy to mainstays of the modern canon like Windhand and Monolord — along with their collective love of vintage gear, walls of speakers and the sweetest leaf of all — HASHTRONAUT’s galactic tones, colossal riffs and driving rhythms have begun spreading to the farthest corners of the universe.

Keeping momentum high on the heels of a self-released EP and opening slots for icons like Pallbearer, Bongzilla and High on Fire, HASHTRONAUT released their debut LP "No Return" on New Mexico-based independent label Blues Funeral Recordings to great critical acclaim in the spring of 2024. 

Stream "No Return" at this location and get your copy via Blues Funeral Recordings!

HASHTRONAUT is

Robb Park - Guitar
Daniel Smith - Bass/Vocals
Michael Honiotes - Drums

HASHTRONAUT links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify

BLUES FUNERAL RECORDINGS links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the details.