France's psychedelic doom stalwarts MARS RED SKY to announce new dates across the UK and Ireland with Weedeater and Telekinetic Yeti.

Doom progressive veterans MARS RED SKY are back on track with a full UK and Ireland tour announcement. They will be sharing the stage with North Carolina sludge/stoner legends Weedeater and US heavy psych heavyweights Telekitenic Yeti. Mars Red Sky will also be playing some nice festivals such as Astral, DesertFest London, Dominion or Kriston Fest. Let there be loud!

Impossible to miss French trio MARS RED SKY on the road this Spring. According to some posts and their social medias, the Bordeaux-based psych doom band are up to new audio material. This tour should be the best way to hear more about it. Stay tuned...

TICKETS : marsredsky.rocks/tour

18.02.2023 ERFURT Bandhaus Erfurt
29.02.2023 VIENNA Echoes of Erebos
30.02.2023 BRISTOL Astral Festival
01.05.2023 CARDIFF The Globe Cardiff *
02.05.2023 DUBLIN The Grand Social*
03.05.2023 GLASGOW Cathouse Rock Club*
05.05.2023 SHEFFIELD Corporation Sheffield*
05.05.2023 MANCHESTER Factory Manchester*
06.05.2023 DURHAM Dominion Festival
07.05.2023 LONDON Desertfest London
27.05.2023 MADRID Kristonfest
26.08.2023 RILLAAR Down The Hill

* With Weedeater and Telekinetic Yeti.

Brought up on bands like Sonic Youth and The Jesus Lizard, Bordeaux-based outfit MARS RED SKY had no idea that they were about to become French stoner scene cornerstones when they founded the band in 2007. Yet the heavy psychedelic trio already share many similarities and obvious connections with the "heavy and slow" community. 

Free from any musical genre consideration, the musicians build their very own style on the tracks of the underground pioneers. Julien Pras' ethereal and melodic voice emerges from a thick and complex rhythm, carried by sci-fi literature's lyricism. Almost cinematic, MARS RED SKY's sounding has a peculiar and unique flavour, standing out within the heavy rock scene.

To record their self-titled debut album, they shut themselves up in a remote house in the wilderness of the Spanish desert. Hypnotic, exhilarating, heavy, the release conquered the very select heavy family and brought the trio to the biggest international rock and metal stages (SXSW, Hellfest, Desertfest, Roadburn, Eurockéennes), as well as opening for major acts such as Sleep, Dinosaur Junior, Kyuss Lives!, Killing Joke, Detroit or Gojira. 

On stage, they manage to recreate their sophisticated studio atmospheres and to deliver the special sonic touch that characterises them. Their live shows absorb the listener, lose him into a visual and vibrant limbo and take him into another dimension. Beyond a simple concert, it is a real sensorial experience that is proposed.

A series of EP releases follow, including a split with post-metal sextet Year Of No Light in 2012. In 2014, MARS RED SKY begin a collaboration with French label Listenable Records and welcome their new drummer Matgaz to replace Benoît Busser who decides to leave the band. Together they complete the albums "Stranded In Arcadia" (2014), "Apex III (Praise For The Burning Soul)" (2016) and "The Task Eternal" (2019). Matgaz's vision and musicianship create depth in the trio's personality, which take a darker and more massive turn throughout these three productions.

Eager for original projects, MARS RED SKY decide to release their debut album in December 2021, to celebrate the band's 10th anniversary, by providing an online tool for re-mixing it. The album is available via their own record label Mrs Red Sound, through which they support French heavy rock scene.

LINE-UP:

Julien Pras: vocals, guitar
Jimmy Kinast: bass
Matgaz: drums

LINKS

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Thanks to Shake Promotion for all of the details.

Telekinetic Yeti - Primordial (Album Review)

Release Date: July 8th 2022. Record Label: TeePee Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Primordial - Tracklisting

1.Primordial 

2.Ancient Nug

3.Ghost Train 

4.Stoned Ape Theory 

5.Light In a Dying World 

6.Beast 

7.Toke Wizard 

8.Rogue Planet 

9.Tides of Change 

10.Invention of Fire 

11.Cult of Yeti

Members

Alex Baumann- Guitars, Vocals

Rockwel Heim - Drums

Review

Doom/Stoner Metallers Telekinetic Yeti return after a five year absence with Primordial. There’s been a change of personnel in the ranks with former member Anthony Dreyer leaving in 2019 and who then formed Twin Wizard. I mention Twin Wizard as there’s a couple of songs that appear both on Primordial and Twin Wizard’s debut album. As Alex and Anthony were busy making the new album before they split-up. However, both bands are doing their own thing with these tracks (Ghost Train and Toke Wizard), though I prefer the versions that appear on Primordial.

Telekinetic Yeti are more outlandish and more progressive sounding compared to their acclaimed debut release Abominable. The album is pure WEEDIAN magic through and through with the band playing a lush melody of Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal grooves with a warm FUZZY attitude within the first excellent opening songs of Primordial, Ancient Nug and Ghost Train. The songwriting has improved big time since their last album with the band feeling more comfortable with their WEEDIAN surroundings. The music is perhaps slightly more distorted and FUZZIER than before especially on Ancient Nug and Ghost Train.

The album is brilliantly energetic and fast-paced with Telekinetic Yeti playing a modern sounding Psych Rock/Metal backdrop that allows the band to play SABBATH and SLEEP  levels of AMPLIFIER DISTORTION.

There are certain parts of the album where there is a bleak DOOM style atmosphere that blends seamlessly into the Stoner based background that Telekinetic Yeti bring a fresh Progressive perspective into the mix. Songs such as Stoned Ape Theory, Light In A Dying World, Toke Wizard and Cult Of Yeti are prime examples of why I admire this band in the first place. Heavy distorted sounds that have a Cosmic vibe to them. 

The instrumental work is near flawless with Alex and Rockwel making a formidable duo that allows Telekinetic Yeti to have a much bigger sound outside the two-man setup currently within their ranks. 

Primordial is one of the most exciting and action packed releases I’ve heard this year. Helped along by fabulous production values that allows Telekinetic Yeti to release another incredible album for the Stoner Metal Underground Scene to get their teeth stuck into.

If you’re a fan of Black Sabbath, SLEEP and Mastodon then Telekinetic Yeti have the potential to be your favourite new band. 

Words by Steve Howe

Primordial is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via TeePee Records from July 8th 2022.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Festival News Scorched Tundra Announce Entire Line-Up For 2018 Edition

Scorched Tundra is proud to announce the entire lineup for its tenth edition.  The second installment of 2018 – taking place on August 31st and September 1st at The Empty Bottle in Chicago – features newcomers and veterans of the festival from across the country and abroad.

Friday August 31st

Monolord

Lair of the Minotaur
Telekinetic Yeti

Saturday September 1st

Sumac
Yakuza
In the Company of Serpents
Couch Slut

Tickets can be purchased through these links:

Friday 8/31:
http://eventbrite.com/e/scorched-tundra-x-the-empty-bottle-tickets-46205946229

Saturday: 9/1:
http://eventbrite.com/e/scorched-tundra-x-the-empty-bottle-tickets-46205078634

Scorched Tundra’s mission is to give a new generation of talented artists a unique live platform in Gothenburg and Chicago. The festival’s billing – based on sound, not stature – creates an unparalleled aural experience for its audience.

“The process of selecting bands for the tenth edition of this festival began over a year ago. For this momentous occasion, I sought bands that have forged their own space at the convergence of heavy, progressive and dark music. Scorched Tundra’s mission is to give a new generation of talented artists from Gothenburg and Chicago a unique platform. The tenth lineup achieves this, while also mixing in extremely talented musicians from around the country. I look forward to sharing this exceptional lineup at The Empty Bottle on Labor Day Weekend.” states organizer Alexi D. Front.

Tickets for August 31st and September 1st will be $20 per night, and more exciting festival details will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Links:
Scorched Tundra
http://scorchedtundra.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/scorchedtundra

The Empty Bottle
http://emptybottle.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/emptybottle/

Sumac
https://sumac.bandcamp.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/SUMACBAND/

Monolord
https://monolord.bandcamp.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/monolordsweden/

Lair of the Minotaur
http://www.lairoftheminotaur.net/ | https://lairoftheminotaur.bandcamp.com/

Yakuza
https://www.facebook.com/yakuza-55268044860/ | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakuza_(band)

In the Company of Serpents
https://inthecompanyofserpentsdoom.bandcamp.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/InTheCompanyOfSerpents/

Telekinetic Yeti
https://telekineticyeti.bandcamp.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/telekineticyetiband/

Couch Slut
https://couchslut.bandcamp.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/couchslut/

Telekinetic Yeti - Abominable (Album Review)

Release date: March 17^th 2017. Label: Sump Pump Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Abominable – Tracklisting

1.Abominable

2.Electronaut

3.Stoned and Feathered

4.Colossus

5.Lightbearer

6.Apophis

7.Beneath the Black Sun

8.Himalayan Hymn

Band Members

Anthony Dreyer – Drums

Alex Baumann – Guitar/Vocals

Review

There was a time when the very concept of a‘band’ was synonymous with the four elements, five if the singer did not play any instrument, six, seven, eight or more if you played prog.

From time, instead, we are witnessing a real synthesis, in terms of elements. The band began a work of reductionism, looking at the essential and removing those elements which, in the end, may not be functional. Today, many bands rely on the perfect number, three. Some crazy daredevils, instead, rely on even more tablet formulas, reducing even more the bone the line-up.

Telekinetic Yeti, from Dubuque, Iowa, (USA) are a classic example of how, sometimes, the perfect number is two. The band of Alex Baumann (guitar and vocals) and Anthony Dreyer (drums) gave the world Abominable (via Sump Pump Records), 42 minutes of a majestic (almost instrumental) stoner/doom flavored by peaks of pure psychedelia.

Abominable is an outstanding album, performed and produced masterfully, and where there is nothing to regret the absence of a bass line. The musical synthesis obtained by Telekinetic Yeti translates into a better care of the sounds and the composition of the songs, where the vowels raids by Alex give that extra touch in songs, in itself beautiful. In 42 minutes of pure energy, the band manages to mix the sounds of bands like Clutch, Red Fang, Asteroid, The Sword in a more doom/psychedelic key.

Tracks like the opener Abominable sound like a doomy Clutch while Electronaut feel the echoes of a riffage worthy of the best Sleep. All the songs in Abominable travel on high quality levels, always suspended between classic stoner and ferocious doom, never trivial or obvious.

Telekinetic Yeti manage to condense in the 42 minutes of Abominable a knowing impressive sound spectrum, most probably due to the need to cope with the lack of a bass line. In Telekinetic Yeti, such failure results in opportunities. The opportunity to cure in an almost manic their sound, and composing with a unique freedom their songs that, ultimately, prove to be of little gems. Stuff that many bands with a more complete line-up can safely dream of.

Although only two, Telekinetic Yeti have the power of a supernova.

Good job guys.

Words by Bruno Bellisario

Thanks to Telekinetic Yeti for the promo. Abominable will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Sump Pump Records from March 17^th 2017.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

An Interview with Alex from TELEKINETIC YETI

Telekinetic Yeti maybe a band you haven't hard of yet but all that is about to change. As they're about to release their incredible new album – Abominable. Which is due out for release on March 17^th 2017 via Sump Pump Records. We will be reviewing that album very soon.

Telekinetic Yeti play a heavy blend of Psych, Sludge, Stoner and Doom. For a duo these guys are one of the heaviest bands I've came across recently. If you're a fan of Sleep, OM and CONAN then you're going to go crazy over this band.

I wanted to find out more about the band and Alex (Guitars) from the band has kindly agreed to this interview.

Hi Alex. How are things with you today.

Pretty good man

Can you give a brief history of how the band came about and where it is today.

The band was formed in March of 2015. Anthony and I had known each other for years from playing in some different bands years before. After that last band broke up in early 2010 he had moved out west. When he moved back to the mid-west in 2014 we tried to revive the old band. When that didn't work out with the other members we decided to see what we could do as just 2 people. We got together for a jam session and the first song we wrote was what ended up being the first song on our new album. We were stoked about how things were sounding so we kept with it.

Within 4 months we had our first set written and played our first show. The response right away was really good, people seemed really into it and were telling us they were blown away. Once we started playing our first out of town shows especially, the reactions we were getting were extremely encouraging. We felt like we were onto something.

We entered Flatblack Studios in Lone Tree, Iowa in early 2016. The recording process was spread out over several months because initially we didn't book enough studio time, and the studio was booked solid months in advance.

Fast forward to now, the albums done, our first music video is out, and the album is being released on Sump Pump Records on Vinyl on March 17, 2017. We are self releasing it on CD and digitally. We have 8 album release shows in the mid-west in late March in support of the Album. And we also just started booking a longer tour for June of 2017.

Why did you choose the name – Telekinetic Yeti for your band. Any specific meaning.

We just wanted a name that reflected the way band sounds. The music we were making sounded huge and fuzzy, kind of like a yeti. We thought a Yeti with some sort of occult powers would be cool, when we thought of telekinetic we were sold.

How would you describe your overall sound.

Thunderous, thick, fuzzy, riffy, prehistoric at times. Its a mix of stoner, doom, and rock and roll.

So we are here to talk about your debut album – Abominable. Congrats on a great album. What can people expect from the album.

The album feels like a journey. Each song takes on its own unique mood, we try to not write the same song twice. Wed like to think the album is a good balance of kick ass rock and roll riffing, and also some more moody and colorful stuff. People have mentioned there is an element of unpredictability to it that keeps the listener engaged. 

Was it an easy or hard album to write and record for.

Some of the songs came together very quickly, and some took more time. I wouldn't say any of the songs stuck out as being particularly more easy or hard to write or record. Each song presents its own unique challenge. Usually we've had a pattern of writing the first half of the song fairly quickly, then usually a descent amount of time is spent deciding where we want to take the song from the halfway point.

Every song you write could be taken in so many different directions, there really are no rules. We don't always end up using the first part we write, we might write 4 or 5 different parts and choose whichever one we think is the best for the song. Ultimately we pretty much always know when a part or a song is done, and its totally based on how it feels. Does it feel good to play? Does it make you really feel something? That's when we know the part is good.

What is your favourite song off the album and the reasons why. Mine is Colossus.

Honestly we can't pick one, it would be like picking your favorite child. We like them all for different reasons.

Are you anxious what your fans will think of this record.

No. We wrote and recorded the songs that we thought were awesome. We are proud of the collection of songs we recorded and we wouldn't have done it any other way.

Will you be touring this record heavily In the future.

Yes. Be sure to keep on our page for dates when we come to your city.

The album is being released on Sump Pump Records How did that come about.

We played a show with our friends in Druids who had their album release show in Des Moines, IA. Sump Pump Records saw us play for the first time at that show. We hit it off with Dan from Sump Pump, and decided we wanted to release a record together. 

How did the excellent artwork come about. Who designed this and how much input did you have into the overall final design.

The artwork was done by Headbang Design. We gave him feedback and ideas throughout the entire process and we worked off of his art abilities and bounced ideas off of each other.

For a two man group, you're an incredibly loud act. What is your equipment setup to create this sound when recording live or performing in the studio.

For the guitar, I play a 7 string guitar tuned super low, somewhere in between where a bass and a guitar normally sits. And I use super thick strings, some of the thickest strings on my guitar are actually bass strings. The thick strings really beef things up and allow me to have proper string tension with the low tunings. We are then splitting the guitar signal into 2 orange ad140s, and a fender bassman 300 pro, into four 4x12 orange guitar cabinets and a 2x15 ampeg bass cab. At certain points in songs I also use an octave pedal that beefs it up quite a bit.

Anthony has a vintage Fibes acrylic drum kit, similar to the one John Bonham in Led Zeppelin used. They are physically large drums so they are super loud and powerful sounding, and Anthony hits his drums really hard, so the drums sound very big and full.

Where can people purchase or listen to your new full length album.

You can buy the album on CD from our online merch store at telekineticyeti.bigcartel.com, you can buy the album on vinyl at http://sumppumprecords.com/albums/vinyl/telekinetic-yeti-abominable , and you will be able to stream the full album and buy it digitally at telekineticyeti.bandcamp.com come March 17, 2017.

Before you go, do you have anything to say to your fans.

Thanks so much for all your support, it really means the world to us! We hope to see you at a show soon!

Well Alex, thanks for doing this. All the best with the new album.

Words by Steve Howe and Alex Baumann

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp