French Psychedelic Doom Lords OCCULT HAND ORDER share eerie first single off new album "Meaningless Monuments"; out April 17th on Totem Cat Records

French psychedelic doom conjurers OCCULT HAND ORDER return with their new album "Meaningless Monuments" this April 17th on Totem Cat Records, and unveil the eerie and mystique-laden first video and single "Novo Mesto" on all platforms today.

 Get in a trance with new Occult Hand Order single Novo Mesto 

Lyon-based trio Occult Hand Order crafts a heavy and introspective sound at the crossroads of doom, post-rock and ethereal soundscapes. Their music balances crushing weight and cosmic elevation, ritualistic tension and introspective drift.

With Meaningless Monuments, the band delves into themes of apocalypse, inner collapse and the search for meaning. Darker, slower, and more cinematic, the record unfolds through long, hypnotic structures where massive riffs meet meditative, atmospheric passages. Occult Hand Order emerges as a sonic ritual: a journey through inner ruins, a quest for what remains when everything falls apart.

About the new single, the band says: "Novo Mesto acts as a catharsis. The song evokes purification through hardship, pain washed away by time and the elements, and the idea that destruction and rebirth are intimately linked. Between fatalism and acceptance, it questions what remains after chaos, and how experience transforms those who go through it. Fire and rain become symbolic forces, both destructive and regenerative."

OCCULT HAND ORDER "Meaningless Monuments" - Out April 17th on Totem Cat Records

Pre-order from March 9th at this location

TRACKLIST:

1. Bledow
2. Brno
3. Mollerussa
4. Novo Mesto
5. Gerlach

Formed in the French city of Lyon in 2018, heavy psychedelic trio Occult Hand Order marry the crushing weight of doom with an ethereal cosmic drift, all lifted by soaring vocal harmonies that conjure arcane rituals and otherworldly mysticism.

After a striking self-titled debut in 2019, the band teamed up with the aptly named Interstellar Smoke Records to unleash The Chained, The Burned, The Wounded. The EP was hailed by critics, and the roar from the underground blasted open the doors to Europe’s finest stages, where the trio now stands, locked in and levitating. They're now ready to propel their unique soundscapes into outer space again, with the release of their sophomore album Meaningless Monuments on Totem Cat Records this spring.

Occult Hand Order links

Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Youtube

Totem Cat Records links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Dopethrone - Broke Sabbath (Album Review)

Release Date: May 24th 2024. Record Label: Totem Cat Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Broke Sabbath: Tracklisting

1.LIFE KILLS YOU 03:26

2.TRUCKSTOP WARLOCK 05:35

3.A.B.A.C. 07:17

4.SHLAGHAMMER 05:04

5.ROCK SLOCK 08:31

6.UNIWORSE 04:23

7.SULTANS OF SIN 05:04

Review

Sludge Metallers Dopethrone return after a lengthy six year absence with their new album Broke Sabbath which is a grimy, nihilistic and pissed off take on their normal blend of down-tuned Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal. As the title suggests there’s a slight influence of Black Sabbath in the air but this album is more closely linked to the likes of Electric Wizard, THOU, Bongzilla and Weedeater with the seedy sounds that appear on the album.

Dopethrone are wildly chaotic and offers many unexpected movements of Sludge Metal on this album which we haven’t heard from the band before. There’s raw sounding production techniques used throughout the album that allows Dopethrone to achieve maximum WEEDIAN effect which gives their music a more violent feel.

Opening track Life Kills You is a fast-paced and aggressive affair with the downbeat energy appearing within the lyrics and vocals delivered through the track. The sound is helped by a buoyant and nasty soundclip that gives the track a more self aware feeling whilst allowing Dopethrone to become masters of their sinister domain. The instrumental sounds are down-tuned and quite vicious but there’s some fantastic riffs waiting to be heard which the band conjure up more despairing instrumental jams.

Second track Truckstop Warlock has a creepy CHURCH OF MISERY essence with its bass heavy atmosphere merged with the AMPLIFIER WORSHIP style of downtrodden Stoner Metal making a welcome appearance. The vocals are harsh and coarse but always brutally effective. The SABBATHIAN experience only tells half the story with Dopethrone slowly creating their own definitive style of music with the sludgy and psychedelic guitars leading the way.

Third track A.B.A.C. is one of the heaviest and nastiest tracks on the album but given a slightly demonic and satanic touch. Dopethrone adds a slight Progressive sound where the music is dominated by long drawn out sludge metal grooves and devilish vocals conspiring for perhaps one of the best tracks that the band have written to date. The LOW & SLOW methodology of delivering punishing grooves works amazingly well with the raw sound that dominates the grimy landscape on this track and for the remainder of the album.

Dopethrone do play some classic Doom/Sludge Metal guitar shredding throughout various stages on the album which gives this album a more riff-centric sound even when they blend harsh Psychedelic and WEEDIAIN influences into the mix especially on tracks such as A.B.A.C, Shlaghammer and Rock Slock.

Fourth track Shlaghammer sees Dopethrone continue to play and perfect their own unique style of LOW & SLOW sounds with a punishing underground essence which allows their music to become more DOOM & GLOOM obsessed but still with a healthy sideline in Sludge Metal aggression. There’s a mean creative energy that appears with Shlaghammer with moments of Droned Out Stoner Metal jams with the guttural vocals allowing Dopethrone to remain firmly in the darkness. 

The next few tracks of Rock Slock. Uniworse and Sultans Of Sin has moments of epic and maddening guitar shredding with the seedy Psychedelic grooves aligning themselves further to the harsh vocals and brutal lyrical content that are some of the heaviest and bleakest tracks on the album. However, there’s moments of great humour that appears here and there which still allows Broke Sabbath to be have a thrilling “FUCK IT” experience especially on Sultans Of Sin.

Broke Sabbath is Dopethrone most outlandish and one of their heaviest records to date that will keep their legion of fans brilliantly entertained for a very long time to come. As this is perhaps their best album in years. Awesome. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage for the promo.

Broke Sabbath is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Totem Cat Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Black Pyramid - The Paths Of Time Are Vast (Album Review)

Release Date: May 03rd 2024. Record Label: Totem Cat Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Paths Of Time Are Vast - Tracklisting

1. Bile, Blame And Blasphemy

2. The Crypt On The Borderlands

3. Astral Suicide

4. Take Us To The Threshold

5. The Paths Of Time Are Vast, Part I

6. The Paths Of Time Are Vast, Part II

7. The Paths Of Time Are Vast, Part III

8. The Quantum Phoenix

Band Members

Andy Beresky - guitar and vocals

Eric Beaudry - bass

Andy Kivela - drums

Review

Psych Doom/Stoner Metal legends Black Pyramid release their first new album in eleven years with The Paths Of Time Are Vast. The record is one epic tale of loss and redemption, death and rebirth, fire and frost. Says frontman Andy Beresky: "This album is your golden ticket to voyage beyond the realms of birth and dead, to take the journey through the many doors of radiant reality and dark dimension, to tread the celestial pathways carved in the carcasses of the stars, and to finally taste the vastness of time and space."

Black Pyramid navigates around the whole Heavy Metal Spectrum with the band moving into Prog Rock/Metal surroundings with their trademark style of Psych Doom and Stoner Metal grooves. Andy Beresky is on first class form with his majestic vocal performance which has a more classic Heavy Metal approach with his style being influenced by Ozzy, Dio and Bruce Dickinson at various parts of the album.

The opening track Bile, Blame And Blasphemy is my favourite track on the whole album as it primarily operates as a Psychedelic Doom and Cosmic Stoner Metal track which soon changes into a different Progressive feel which is easily comparable to YOB on the more SONIC dominated parts of the song. Heavy Psychedelic guitars, bombastic vocals and sublime drumming all combine for a song that will leave you breathless at times.

You would think Black Pyramid would stick to that style of music for the rest of the album but they switch moods and atmospherics throughout the album. The record changes from Psych Doom/Stoner Metal to a classic style of Heavy Metal with an Over The Top creative attitude allowing Black Pyramid to play extended progressive and trance based melodies that allows them to become MASTERS OF THEIR OWN DOOMED OUT DOMAIN.

The Crypt On The Borderlands gives the record a more daring and darker turn with the mood becoming ever more DOOM & GLOOM based but with the non-stop epic grooves merging into a Post-Stoner or Prog Rock structure. Little moments of kinetic Psychedelic energy adds various elements that instantly allows you to be part of the overall story.

Black Pyramid continue with their Psychedelic and Heavy Metal conquest with the music being more progressive and even outlandish which suits the overall theme of the story that the band tell throughout tracks such as Astral Suicide, Take Us To The Threshold and the classic three part odyssey that is The Paths Of Time Are Vast Parts I, II and III which could be considered the band’s defining music to date.

The album ends with the majestic and epic track The Quantum Phoenix which cements The Paths Of Time Are Vast as one of the defining “comeback” albums within the Doom/Stoner Metal scene in recent memory right next to SLEEP’s The Sciences and LOWRIDER’s Refractions. 

With exquisite and massive sounding production values, The Paths Of Time Are Vast really does have it all and you know this record has all the makings of a modern day classic. And I stand by every word of that statement. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

The Paths Of Times Are Vast is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Totem Cat Records.

Links

Facebook ⎪ Bandcamp ⎪ Instagram ⎪ Spotify

Psychedelic doom masters BLACK PYRAMID return with new album "The Paths of Time Are Vast" on Totem Cat Records; first track available now!

US psychedelic doom legends BLACK PYRAMID return after over a decade with their fourth album “The Paths of Time Are Vast” this May 3rd on Totem Cat Records, and share the epic first track "Bile, Blame and Blasphemy" exclusively via Doomed & Stoned.

The Massachusetts legends have recently signed to Totem Cat Records for the release of their first new album since 2013’s lauded "Adversarial". Evoking the molten, sludgy tones and immersive atmosphere of their self-titled debut, Black Pyramid greatly expands upon what worked wonders in the past, then seeks the transcendent path, pushing each element of their alchemistic sound to its unparalleled cosmic conclusion. As stated by Doomed & Stoned editors, "one of the albums doom metal fans can legit look forward to in coming months is the return effort from Black Pyramid, one of the most visionary, commanding, and influential bands of the first two decades of the 21st century."

Listen to Black Pyramid's new track Bile, Blame & Blasphemy below.

Slated for a May 3rd release, “The Paths of Time Are Vast” features Andy Beresky on guitar and vocals, Eric Beaudry on bass, and Andy Kivela on drums. This lineup is now the longest-running incarnation of Black Pyramid, actively gigging and touring since 2018 while honing their collective songcraft and solidifying their onstage chemistry. Working with Justin Pizzoferratu (Dinosaur Jr, Witch, Elder) at Sonelab, the band sought to capture the visceral magic and sonic wizardry of their live performances onto tape, and then embellish in the psychedelic decadence of studio experimentation. The result is equally immense and ethereal, massive and otherworldly, elemental and insubstantial, as much an earthquake as an astral projection. Each song embodies the power trio’s raw energy, atavistic power and impassioned playing, juxtaposing elaborate arrangements with fiery free-form improvisation.

Although past Black Pyramid albums were conceived as collections of stories, this marks the first time an album is written as a single story, as “The Paths of Time Are Vast” relates an epic tale of loss and redemption, death and rebirth, fire and frost. Says frontman Andy Beresky: "This album is your golden ticket to voyage beyond the realms of birth and dead, to take the journey through the many doors of radiant reality and dark dimension, to tread the celestial pathways carved in the carcasses of the stars, and to finally taste the vastness of time and space."

The band will make special appearances at Desertfest Berlin and Freak Valley Festival and announce more European shows soon. "The Paths of Time Are Vast" will be available on May 3rd on vinyl, CD and digital through Totem Cat Records, adorned with a stunning artwork from Marald van Haasteren.

New album "The Paths of Time Are Vast" - Out May 3rd on Totem Cat Records (vinyl/CD/digital)

TRACKLIST:

1. Bile, Blame And Blasphemy
2. The Crypt On The Borderlands
3. Astral Suicide
4. Take Us To The Threshold
5. The Paths Of Time Are Vast, Part I
6. The Paths Of Time Are Vast, Part II
7. The Paths Of Time Are Vast, Part III
8. The Quantum Phoenix

Black Pyramid is

Andy Beresky - guitar and vocals
Eric Beaudry - bass
Andy Kivela - drums

Black Pyramid links: Facebook ⎪ Bandcamp ⎪ Instagram ⎪ Spotify

Totem Cat Records links: Website ⎪ Facebook ⎪ Bandcamp ⎪ Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the info.

Canadian Sludge Metal Juggernauts DOPETHRONE Return With New Album "Broke Sabbath" on Totem Cat Records. New Track "Uniworse" Now Streaming

Montréal-based sludge metal dealers DOPETHRONE return after six years with their new album "Broke Sabbath" on Totem Cat Records this spring, and unleash their devastatingly heavy new single "Uniworse"! The trio has announced a full Canadian tour as well as a string of European summer shows including some festival appearances.

 

Whenever the world thinks Dopethrone has finally disappeared, be sure that Canada's filthiest heavy trio is rustling up something evil in the dark corners of their twisted minds... The beast has awakened and it's now ready to deliver maximum levels of grim, fuzz and fun with their sixth studio album "Broke Sabbath", a noxious 7-tracker recorded by long-time collaborator Jean-Baptiste Joubeaud and coated with copious amounts of asphyxiating sonic density thanks to mastering from Brad Boatright.

About the album, the band says: “We went full ‘Volume 4’ on this one. The last few years have been thought for the underground, we swam against a tsunami of nonsensical bullshit and still managed not to drown. It's just like a stew, we all know that the scum always rises to the top... And here we are! We decided to turn up the ‘not giving a fuck’ knob to 11, stepped out of our rusty dumpster, gave it a spit-shine and lit the fucker on fire. We went ‘full DIY’ on the cover artwork. We grabbed a shit-ton of Hochelaga alley dirt, junk, slutch and dumped it on our saloon floor, made a concoction of ‘fake’ blood and proceeded to surgically etch the Dopethrone logo on this stinking putrid pile. We also made all our videos with no budget and full dedication. Passion is known to exceed the norms of expectation, but we're not passionate, we're obsessed, so you better buckle up.”

"Broke Sabbath" will be released in the spring of 2024 on various vinyl editions, CD and digital through independent label Totem Cat Records. 

Don't miss their latest video for Life Kills You below

New album "Broke Sabbath" - Out this spring on Totem Cat Records (vinyl/CD/digital)

TRACKLIST:

1. Life Kills You
2. Truckstop Warlock
3. ABAC
4. Shlaghammer
5. Rock Slock
6. Uniworse
7. Sultans of Sins

Dopethrone is a three-piece band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Active since 2008, this DIY gang encompasses the bleakness of black metal, the steadfastness of New Orleans-style sludge, and a heavier-than-thou doom mentality. The riffs are thick, punishing, suffocating and destructive, with lyrics based on self-destruction, murder, cannabis and sleazy drug abuse. The band refers to their music as “Slutch”, the Canadian term for cold sludge or dirty mud snow. They once described it as “frozen sludge, snow covered in crackhead diarrhea, blood, tears and broken dreams”.

After their second release "Dark Foil" (2011), Dopethrone started drawing some attention and were invited by Voivoid to play Roadburn Festival in 2012. They since haven’t stopped growing their audience in Europe, their adoptive land. Since their formation, Dopethrone has released five studio albums as well as some collaborations with other artists, and have regularly toured Europe and Canada.

After a series of tours in 2019, Dopethrone has retreated to focus on the “delicate” baking of their sixth studio release. This new album entitled "Broke Sabbath" will be released in the spring of 2024 through French independent label Totem Cat Records, followed by shows in North America and Europe.

Dopethrone 2024 shows:

19.04 - Victoria, BC - Wicket Hall
20.04 - Vancouver, BC - Green Auto
21.04 - Kelowna, BC - Jackknife Brewery
22.04 - Nelson, BC - The Royal
24.04 - Edmonton, AB - The Buckingham
25.04 - Calgary, AB - Modern Love
26.04 - Regina, SK - The Exchange
27.04 - Winnipeg, MB - Handsome Daughter
----
07.08 - Warsaw (PL) Hydrozagadka
08.08 - Jaroměř (CZ) Brutal Assault Fest
09.08 - Waldmunchen (DE) Void Fest
10.08 - Seelbach (DE) Hoflärm Festival
11.08 - Basel (CH) Quarterdek
13.08 - Nijmegen (NL) Merleyn
14.08 - Berlin (DE) Neue Zukunft
15.08 - Hamburg (DE) Hafenklang
16.08 - Copenhagen (DK) Stengade

Dopethrone is:

Vince - Guitar & Vocals
Vyk - Bass
Shane - Drums

Dopethrone links

Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram

Totem Cat Records links

Website ⎪ Facebook ⎪ Bandcamp ⎪ Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the details.

Mick's Jaguar - Salvation (Album Review)

Release Date: 02nd December 2022. Record Label: Totem Cat Records / TeePee Records Formats: DD/Vinyl

Salvation

1.Skin Contact 03:30

2.Handshake Deals 02:34

3.Man Down 03:08

4.Free On The Street 03:38

5.Molotov Children 04:44

6.Speed Dealer 01:42

7.Nothing To Lose 03:22

8.5am Somewhere 02:39

9.Hell's Gate 03:44

10.Georgian Pine 02:14

Members

Sam Cooper - drums

Alex Forbes - guitar

Grace Hollaender - guitar

John Martin - vocals

Donald Meehleis - guitar

With:

Jack Ridley - bass on 3, 6, background vocals on 4, 6

Aaron Roche - bass on 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, percussion on 1, 2, 8, 9, 10

Review

Salvation is the new album by New York Hard Rock/Classic Rockers Mick’s Jaguar. This album is my first foray with Mick’s Jaguar and the band play a “HIP” blend of Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Garage Rock and Punk Rock swagger. Parts Thin Lizzy, The Stooges and MC5. There’s a slight Stoner Rock attitude to Mick’s Jaguar fantastic grooves with a cracking streetwise attitude to match.

The album is a constant mix of Punk Rock grittiness and Classic Rock flavour within the first few tracks on the album with Skin Contact, Handshake Deals and Man Down. Mick’s Jaguar have a DIY approach to their sound with the band being more “in Your Face” than you initially realize. The music moves from Seventies Punk Rock/Hard Rock themes to the more riff-centric Eighties Hard Rock on the later stages of the album.

Salvation is constantly upbeat and gloriously rebellious that’s contained within the excellent lyrical content and commanding vocals from lead vocalist John Martin. Though, there’s excellent backup throughout the album. 

I feel the band have a deep love and admiration of things now considered Classic Rock with some epic riff-worship that feel inspired by Thin Lizzy and KISS in all places. The album does have a simple approach and premise but it truly comes alive when the band drift further into their sleazy Psych Rock persona which gives the album some of it’s more outstanding moments on tracks such as: Free On The Street, Molotov Children,  Nothing To Lose and Hell’s Gate.

With fabulous and free-flowing vintage production values, Mick’s Jaguar offers a vibrant and rebellious slice of Hard Rock that generates the right amount of grit and steely determination that make this album a winner from start to finish. 

Salvation is a superbly entertaining release that will appeal to multiple different audiences within the Hard Rock Underground Scene. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Sheltered Life for the promo.. 

Salvation is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Totem Cat Records and TeePee Records

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

DOPETHRONE - Transcanadian Anger (Album Review)

Release date: May 25^th 2018. Label: Totem Cat Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Transcanadian Anger – Tracklisting

1.PLANET METH 03:44

2.WRONG SABBATH 04:30

3.KILLDOZER 04:39

4.SCUZZGASM 05:20

5.TWEAK JABBER 03:44

6.SNORT DAGGER 04:25

7.KINGBILLY KUSH 03:14

8.MISERABILIST (Feat Julie)

Members

Vince - guitars & vocals

Vyk - Bass

Shawn - Drums

Julie - Vocals on "Miserabilis

Review

Transcanadian Anger is the new album from Canada's premiere Sludge/Doom/Filth Merchants - Dopethrone. The album is perhaps their heaviest and angriest offering yet with the band writing blistering political based lyrics and harsh Doom/Sludge Metal sounds. The band is five albums into their epic career and they show no signs of stopping their aggressive behaviour.

Opening track - Planet Meth - opens in trademark Dopethrone fashion with brutal sounding Doom/Sludge Metal grooves and the harsh growls from lead vocalist Vince. The heavy bass line is instantly recognisable as Dopethrone build up a thunderous sounding rhythm for a cool progressive feel. The lyrics are quite harsh. Even for Dopethrone. It seems the band have been heavily influenced by current problems within the world. As Transcanadian Anger doesn't shy away from creating gloomy atmospheric vibes. The band manages to include their deadly sense of wicked fun that's been a major staple of their previous albums.

Second track - Wrong Sabbath - is less volatile than the opening song but still manages to incorporate a lot of harsh sounding vocals, riffs and lyrics.

Third track - Killdozer - is classic sounding Dopethrone with fast-paced Doom/Sludge sounds but with more hard-hitting aggression. The song is perhaps the most hard-rocking listed on the album. As this song has quite an addictive groove.

The next two tracks – Scuzzgasm and Tweak Jabber - may have very tongue-in-cheek titles but they perhaps offer some of the albums heaviest moments with the band putting in a commanding performance. The whole tone of the album doesn't really change much but that's a good thing as Dopethrone are known for creating a certain type of sound. It's a sound they brilliantly excel at.

There are a few psychedelic and progressive sounds heard on the album that I really enjoyed. As it shows the band have matured into one of the most dependable and recognisable bands within the world of Doom/Sludge Metal.

The production is perhaps what makes this album. As the album sounds so brutally heavy from the start. You can feel the full force of Dopethrone coming at you from all angles and it's impossible to ignore. Especially on the epic last song - Miserabilist. A slightly depressing number with a few weedian influences hidden amongst the dark brooding sludge based grooves.

The line-up may have changed recently. However that hasn't stopped Dopethrone for constantly releasing great albums and Transcanadian Anger maybe their best album to date.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. Transcanadian Anger is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl from Totem Cat Records.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Spectral Haze - Turning Electric (Album Review)

Release date: October 20th 2017. Label: Totem Cat Records. Format: CD/DD/VInyl

Turning Electric – Tracklisting

1. The Dawn Of The Falcon

2. Turning Electric

3. Cathexis/Mask Of Transformation

4. Ajaghandi

5. They Live

6. Master Sorcerer

Members

Spacewülff - Interstellar Howls/Geetarrrgh

Sönik Slöth - Supercosmic overdrive pedalinfused guitarvoid

Döômdögg - Dronemachinated AUM

Cëlestïal Cöbra - Conjurer of souls through ritual drums

Review

Spectral Haze return with their new album - Turning Electric - and their first release for their new label - Totem Cat Records. Turning Electric sees Spectral Haze taking the bold and bravado from legendary Stoner Rockers Monster Magnet and the classic psychedelic sounds of the mighty Hawkwind. With the album being a very exciting and fast paced affair.

The opening track - The Dawn Of The Falcon - opens with a psychedelic whirlwind exploding into a myriad of different sounds. Before the heavy stoner riffs and high calibre vocals of Spacewülff appear. The song runs frantically with its Hawkwind inspired space rock vibes before fully exploding into a Monster Magnet style rhythm. The vocals are very good indeed. Not the most original of vocals but they have quite a flair about them. The music on the other hand is vibrant with the band playing a faster and more fluid style of Space/Stoner Rock. The only thing that I didn't enjoy about this song was the constant piano sounds that slows the mood right down.

Second song - Turning Electric - carries on the same mood and atmosphere from the opening track and unfortunately the piano makes another brief appearance. The lyrics are very cool indeed. Simply written but with a catchy sing-along chorus. The whole mood of the song is very fast indeed with Spectral Haze adding weirder and wonderfully psychedelic spaced out sounds to the mix.

Third track - Cathexis/Mask Of Transformation - has a more classic fuzz rock feel with the band also adding a doomier feel. The vocals have a more "heavy-metal" feel compared to other songs on the album with vocalist Spacewülff changing styles at different parts of the song. Though they have a distinctive Dave Wyndorf vibe to them. The second part of the song sees Spectral Haze enter into "Earthless" jam-based psychedelic rock territory. This song is the standout song on the album. As it's quite epic at times.

The next two songs Ajaghandi and They Live - offer almost thirteen minutes of superbly played Psych/Stoner Rock. The fuzzy guitars make Spectral Haze's sound standout even more. As the whole tone of the album becomes decidedly clearer and louder. There are quite a few demonic sounding laughs lurking in the background that adds a sense of devilish fun to the whole flow and feel of the album.

The final track - Master Sorcerer - has a more world weary vibe compared to the other songs on the album. As the riffs are doomier and slightly sinister in tone. Spectral Haze approach this song with a sense of dread with the band writing truly "classic" doom metal sounding lyrics. This song shows you that the band are not all about space rock theatrics. As they create a good old fashioned sounding doom metal song. Sure, there are strands of heavy psychedelic stoner rock appearing within the song but it's the not-so-subtle doomier vibes that hold your attention. I would have loved to hear the band play this style of music more on the album. Maybe next time....

Turning Electric is a superb album from Spectral Haze and it's one that offers genuine moments of true excitement within the Doom/Stoner Metal world.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. Turning Electric will be available to buy via Totem Cat Records on CD/DD/Vinyl from October 20th 2017.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Kozmic Tales - An Interview with CLOUD CATCHER

Cloud Catcher first burst onto the Stoner Rock scene back in 2015 when they released their superb debut album – Enlightened Beyond Existence. Two years later the guys are back with a new album – Trails Of Kozmic Dust.

It see Cloud Catcher create even heavier psych/cosmic based Stoner riffs. Newly signed to Totem Cat Records, the album will no doubt become a firm favourite when it's released on March 11^th. I wanted to do an interview the guys as I wanted to find more about the band. How they formed, the stunning artwork designed by Adam Burke and their future touring plans.

Here's the interview. Enjoy.

Hi guys. Thanks for doing the interview. How’s life treating you today.

Doin' well! Thanks for asking! And thanks for having us

For people not in the know, can you provide a brief history of how the band came together and where it is today.

Cloud Catcher formed in May of 2013 after I left a band that was going nowhere fast. I have been jamming with our drummer Jared for 7 or so years so starting a band with him just seemed right! Kam entered the equation after he left Medusa 2 years ago. I would go into more detail but I'll spare ya the unnecessary facts ha-ha

How would you describe your music for first-time listeners.

Heavy Rock and Roll, no frills or gimmicks.

We are here to talk about the new album. Trails Of Kozmic Dust. A truly stunning album. What can people expect from the album.

Shucks, thank you! I would say that people can expect to hear the Cloud Catcher sound. I feel that we really came into our own on this album, especially with the addition of Kam. You can expect to experience raw rock 'n roll energy on Trails of Kozmic Dust.

What is the overall concept of the album. As the album has quite a distinctive science fiction/fantasy feel. Are you fans of that medium in general.

I would say the concept of this album, if there was one, would be conquering your inner struggles and using the new found strength to explore new horizons. The lyrics for the songs really speak for themselves haha. I am very into symbolic imagery to explain my point. But anyway to answer your question we dig sci-fi. I am into feelin' very small into this absolutely infinite universe.

Was it an easy or hard album to write and record for. Did you do anything different recording for this album compared to your debut album.

Writing this album was a breeze, Kam brought a breath of fresh air into the band and the songs just flowed. Recording was fun, but we definitely had our struggles. We recorded Trails of Kozmic Dust at the end of our spring 2016 tour with Cody Tarbell from Slow Season at his house in the middle of some truly beautiful farm country. 

After the tour we had all gotten super sick and realized that we have to record this album no matter what. I had lost my voice so the vocals takes were a real struggle to do, but I enjoyed doing it haha. Any way we recorded this album to tape instead of doin' the digital thing, the natural tape warmth and compression really comes through especially on the vinyl.

What influenced you when recording and writing this album.

Ah man, so much. Life experience was the main influence, but we were heavily into some crazy progressive bands when the bulk of the writing was going on. Don't wanna bore ya with band name drops but Captain Beyond, Alice Coltrane, Mahavishnu Orchestra, King Crimson, and a few others were being listened to in the van before we recorded.

You’ve signed to Totem Cat Records. How did you hook up with that great label.

We just sent out the album to a few labels and got turned down by a few, but were also offered some strange deals with some other labels that won't be mentioned. After sending the album to Ewenn he immediately got back to us and gave us a killer deal that we couldn't turn down. Totem Cat Records rules, Ewenn is truly a standup guy so it's an honor to work with him.

We have to talk about the stunning artwork that Adam Burke created. What were your initial impressions when Adam revealed the final artwork to you.

Adam blew us away, we absolutely love his work. His style reminds me of pouring some astral cream into a cosmic cup of coffee hahaha. The album art represents the sound and vibe of the album perfectly.

What does the artwork say to you about your album in general.

Get stoned, listen to the album cranked and look at the art... you'll get it.

Did Adam let you make any suggestions to the artwork. Or did you let him do his own thing.

I gave Adam this idea I had about these to astral warlords fighting and then he completely took that idea to the next level.

What is the song-writing dynamic in the band. Is it down to one individual or a group collective.

On our first album "Enlightened Beyond Existence" I wrote all of the material, but on "Trails of Kozmic Dust" we wrote as a group. You can hear glimpses from all of our individual influences for sure! To me this is truly the "first" Cloud Catcher album.

Will you be performing gigs this year. A more in-depth tour to promote the album. Are there plans to perform any overseas such as Europe.

We have a March tour planned for SXSW, and then from Texas we will be heading up to the mid-west to play a few dates with our homies from Detroit, Bison Machine. We are also stoked to be playing Psycho Las Vegas 2017! That's a huge honor, man!!! We also have another tour in the works for later in the year.... and we would absolutely LOVE to play Europe. Just getting the funds to get out there is a pain but it WILL be done!

Thanks for doing this interview. Do you have anything to say to your fans before you go.

Of course, thank you! We would like to say that the continued support is what keeps us going, so all of your love and kind words are very much appreciated. We will see you on the road in 2017!!!

Words by Steve Howe and Cloud Catcher

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. Trails Of Kozmic Dust will be available to buy via Totem Cat Records on CD/DD/Vinyl from March 11th 2017.

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