Stoner Metallers VOLCANOVA Bring Heat To UK With 10 Date Tour

Icelandic stoner metal three-piece Volcanova are about to embark on a full-length UK tour, with ten shows in July stretching from Bournemouth to Edinburgh.

Their last album, Cosmic Bullshit, was released in 2022 to critical acclaim, with Metal Hammer describing them as “one of the most exuberant and thunderous stoner rock bands to emerge in decades.”

Formed in 2014, with the current line-up established in 2018, the band are known for their exceptional harmonised vocals and charismatic live peformances.

“We were planning our third UK tour when the pandemic hit,” says bassist and vocalist Steini. “...we definitely miss being in the UK. All the shows we´ve done there were amazing and the people were fantastic and so into our music. So we’re really looking forward to hitting the road in the UK!”

Joining them on their tour will be Scottish fuzz-horror quartet Earl of Hell, a band that have made waves across the UK stoner rock scene since their founding in 2020, including a recent performance at Desertfest. Psychedelic stoner quartet Indica Blues will join two nights of the tour in Nottingham and Leicester.

Volcanova and Earl of Hell’s UK tour:

Jul 20 - Trillians Rock Bar, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
Jul 21 - Tap 'n' Tumbler, Nottingham, UK
Jul 22 - The Metal Monocle, Leicester, UK
Jul 23 - Corporation Room 1, Sheffield, UK
Jul 26 - The Anvil, Bournemouth, UK
Jul 27 - The Black Heart, London, UK
Jul 27 - The Black Heart, Camden, UK
Jul 28 - Star & Garter, Manchester, UK
Jul 29 - Ivory Black, Glasgow, UK
Jul 30 - Legends Edinburgh, UK

Volcanova - Cosmic Bullshit (EP Review)

Release Date: February 25th 2022. Record Label: The Sign Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Cosmic Bullshit  - Tracklisting

1. Salem

2. Gold Coast

3. Desolation

4. End Of Time

5. No Wheels

6. Lost Spot

Members

Samuel Ásgeirsson - guitar, vocals

Thorsteinn Árnasson - bass guitar, vocals

Dagur Atlason - drums, vocals

Review

This Icelandic trio has stirred the airwaves for a few years now and are back with a new recording, and what is there to say? They go from strength to strength with 'Cosmic Bullshit', just listen and let it soak in and you know what I mean. The musical sphere they move within is starting to get oversaturated, like most genres, but Volcanova elegantly and effortlessly side-step any trappings, Instead the guys throw off any shackles and inhibitions and let everything roll. And the end-result? Bloody fantastic, you hear! Read on and see if I can do this masterpiece any justice.

 

Gripping you by the throat right from the start ‘Salem’ blends riffs, licks, melody and harmonies perfectly while moving back and forth between tempos…only to switch into cool jam session before ending at full tilt. ‘Gold Coast’ slows down just a touch going more for groove seeped in tight rhythms and razor sharp riffs. The explosive ending heightens an already great song. ‘Desolation’ absolutely destroys everything in sight. This is fantastic rock’n’roll mixed with the very heaviest and melodic parts of stoner rock. No holds barred from these gents and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

‘End Of Time’ starts out largely acoustic giving the listener a chance to catch one’s breath, but around 1:45 minutes Volcanova ups the ante and rocks as only they can, heavy yet melodic. A cool slower spaced out bluesy section follows before Samuel pulls off a wonderful solo. ‘No Wheels’ is short, sharp and to the point, this is intense, crushing and fabulous. Last out is ‘Lost Spot’ is the longest song coming in at almost 7 minutes. Kind of mid-tempo at first mixed with sharp riffs and punishing rhythm section and nice vocal harmonies in the chorus. Then, almost 3 minutes in, they slow everything down with Thorsteinn and Dagur leading the way. Eventually Samuel joins in as the band takes us through uncharted super novas and galaxies before they erupt and go brutally heavy. Absolutely wonderful!

 

Volcanova are something else and something we really need in music today to shake things up and challenge all the bands who just play by the trends. These guys are phenomenal and deserve all the accolades and praise and then some. The top of the world is where they should be and you, dear reader, should help them get there. Volcanova are the real deal, so miss them at your peril!

Words by Håkan Nyman

Cosmic Bullshit will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via The Sign Records from February 25th 2022.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

VOLCANOVA Premiere New Song - I'M OFF - From Their Forthcoming New Album - RADICAL WAVES

In an alternate reality where Kyuss was born in the barren, volcanic landscape of Iceland, emerges the unholy trio Volcanova. With members hailing from three corners of this unique island of lava fields, glaciers, and hot springs, Volcanova comes together to erupt a fresh take on desert rock.

Building on this style, the band pays homage to the crushing doom of Black Sabbath as well as progressive sludge in the vein of modern bands like Mastodon and Gojira. But wait, there's more! Volcanova can turn seamlessly to thunderous fuzzy riffs in the style of Fu Manchu or somber moments akin to YOB -- all coupled with an irreverent live show that's straight out of a Red Fang video. There is never a dull moment with Volcanova.

Volcanova was founded in the summer of 2014 with principle song writer Samúel Ásgeirsson on guitar and vocals. After a few lineup changes, the band finally settled on a winning formula with Þorsteinn Árnason of (Rock Paper Sisters) on bass and vocals and Dagur Atlason (Churchhouse Creepers) on drums and vocals.

The trio has an infectious groove and togetherness that's bolstered by an ability to pull off three-part vocal harmonies, keeping audiences rocking and rolling. Uplifting moments with epic guitar solos are underpinned by headbanging bass grooves and complemented with a tasteful use of cowbell -- because who doesn't have that fever?

Having extensively toured their own country, playing Eistnaflug Festival and high profile support slots with Elder, Brain Police, Sólstafir, and the Vintage Caravan, the band has now set sights on trips abroad. Recently, they've converted the people of Scotland to their rock n roll cause on two different outings. Whether they're in packed Glasgow venues, remote highlands pubs, or on the barren volcanic island they call home, Volcanova wins over audiences wherever they play.

Due out August 21st, 2020 via The Sign Records, Volcanova's debut album Radical Waves will surely propel the band to new heights.

"I'm Off" is the second single leading up to our album "Radical Waves". A song full of uplifting moments with epic guitar solos, underpinned by head banging bass grooves! I'm Off is all about the fun and tells the story of how to keep the party going because for obvious reasons, life shouldn't be boring, it's a party.

- Þorsteinn Árnason

Gaphals · Volcanova - I'm Off

Social Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/volcanovaofficial
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/volcanova/

Album Tracklist:

1. Welcome
2. Where’s the Time?
3. Super Duper Van
4. I'm Off
5. Stoneman Snowman
6. Sushi Sam
7. Mountain
8. M.O.O.D.
9. Got Game
10. Lights

Volcanova - Radical Waves (Album Review)

Release date: August 21^st 2020. Label: The Sign Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Radical Waves – Tracklisting

Welcome

Where’s the Time?

Super Duper Van

I’m Off

Stoneman Snowman

Sushi Sam

Mountain

M.O.O.D.

Got Game

Lights

Members

Samúel Ásgeirsson- guitar, lead vocals

Dagur Atlason- drums

Þorsteinn Árnason- bass

Review

Radical Waves is the debut album Desert/Stoner Rockers Volcanova who hail from Iceland. These cool Icelandic Rockers formed in 2014 and it’s quite hard to believe they’re just releasing their debut album now. As their debut album is packed full of many different sounds with Volcanova playing genres such as Prog Rock, Psych Rock, Sludge Rock and even Space Rock within their normal style of Desert Rock/Stoner Metal.

As debut albums go, this will be one of the best debut records of 2020. As the band take many different creative risks and choices on this record which ultimately pay-off for a more well rounded experience which is top-heavy with spectacular riffs. The band seem to take influence from bands such as Kyuss, QOTSA, Truckfighters and even Mastodon on this album.

The opening two songs Welcome and Where’s The Time showcase the band playing a fast-paced and addictive style of Desert Rock/Stoner Metal with the band adding a subtle Psychedelic groove to keep things that slightly different. The vocals from Samúel are your standard style of Desert/Stoner Rock vocals with that allow him to add a lot more variety on the later stages of the album.

Things go into overdrive with the stunning 3^rd track – Super Duper Van – with Volcanova moving slightly towards a more classier style of Prog Rock with some fantastic lyrics and vocals allowing Super Duper Van showing at first hand the band’s true talent at writing action packed songs with thrilling lyrics and melodies to match.

Fourth Song – I’m Off – is where the band start adding a more heavier Sludge Rock sound that works superbly well against the Desert Rock textures featured in the opening songs. This song has a more “Post-Doom” or “Post-Rock” approach that settles down to a more heavier vibe. The band are seasoned road-warriors with the band constantly touring over the last few years and you can tell they’ve picked up a few tricks along the way touring with The Vintage Caravan and ELDER. This song does have those band’s DNA on this song but this still remains Volcanova’s show and you can’t help be instantly drawn into their hazy Psychedelic world.

Fifth song – Stoneman Snowman – is my favourite song on the entire album with Volcanova playing a brilliantly clever style of Grunge, Psych, Desert Rock, Sludge Rock and Stoner Metal with a haunting Progressive mood holding everything together. The vocals are great but it’s the music and lyrics that are the best part of the song. There is killer riffs and a blistering sing-along chorus that you can’t help not but SHOUT along to.

Volcanova are in fine confident form leading into the 2^nd half of the album and dare I say that the 2^nd part is even better than the first half. The band do play some of the heaviest and most expressive riffs on the album especially on the final two songs of Got Game and Lights.

I didn’t know what expect with Radical Waves before I listened to it but Volcanova have released a wonderful album that will no doubt make some actual waves within the Desert/Sludge/Stoner Rock scenes with it’s wide range of different ideas held on the album.

You would be absolutely insane to miss this album when it’s released in August 2020. This will be classed as one of the best Stoner Rock/Metal debut albums of 2020. Need I say more….

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Curtis at Dewar PR for the promo. Radical Waves will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via The Sign Records from August 21^st 2020

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