Cannabus - Ride The Bus (Album Review)

Release Date: July 03rd 2026. Record Label: Black Throne Productions / Kozmik Artifactz. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Ride The Bus - Tracklisting

Intro

Heavy Joint

4Runner 

Volcano

The Green

Space Bussin’

In The Pocket

Far Gone Blues

Vagabond

Members

James Matheson - Guitar/Vocals

Brandon Doucet - Drums

Ethan Scott - Bass

Review

Doom/Stoner Metallers Cannabus finally release their debut album Ride The Bus and the only thing this album is taking the listener is to the mighty WEEDIAN promised land. As the band fully live out their STONER ROCK/METAL fantasies with this great album. Cannabus are supremely confident on this record whilst exploring areas of Blues Rock, Psych, Sludge and Punk in equal measure. The sound is murky and with an aggressive smoke fuelled sound that allows Cannabus to play music inspired by the likes of KYUSS, FU MANCHU, DOZER and NEBULA. 

However, there are a few hidden delightful surprises along the way with Cannabus moving away from the WEEDIAN influence and playing more Spaced Out sounds The vocals have a rough exterior to them with James Matheson tapping into a Punk Rock way of life. It’s a delivery that shouldn’t really work but James feels like he’s having the time of his life here though his vocals don’t appear until the excellent third track of 4Runner. Half of the album is instrumentally driven with the vocals appearing when they’re fully needed. 

The opening tracks of Intro and Heavy Joint sets the scene with Cannabus setting the building blocks and rules to play their music against. There is a Classic Hard Rock and Blues Rock sound coming from the speakers which gives extra weight and riff fuelled heaviness to the band’s wicked use of seedy amplifier distortion. The Psychedelic sounds also have that classic Seventies Doom melody which is laid on mightily thick on tracks Volcano, The Green, Space Bussin’ and Vagabond. 

Cannabus also excel in developing long drawn out instrumental passages that showcase a distorted style of Desert Rock and Fuzzy melodies to haunt the sludgy amplifiers for extended periods of time. Some folks may think this is another straight forward STONER record but it’s not. As Cannabus really strive for something different for their debut album with that wicked Psychedelic and Space Rock delivery that manifests into wonderful LOW & SLOW sludgy environments on the later stages of the record.

The epic rhythm section of Brandon Doucet on Drums and Ethan Scott on Bass have a jam based creative methodology within their music. Sometimes the music does feel like it’s going off into a different tangent but James’s heavy guitars allow his band mates to play a warped style of intense sonic exploration whilst adding a grounded approach that really holds everything together.

Ride The Bus is an outstanding debut album that is not ashamed to be part of the WEEDIAN underground. This is the type of album that fully embraces that fact and just has complete fun whilst delivering a collection of great tracks that are filled with amazing grooves and instrumental solos you can SHAKE YOUR BONG at. 

Black Throne Productions and Kozmik Artifactz are both releasing the album and it’s the perfect fit. As both labels have steadily been releasing a wave of great albums in 2026 and this is no different. Ride The Bus is one of the most essential STONER ROCK debut albums you’ll experience this year!!!

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Black Throne Productions for the promo.

Ride The Bus is available to buy on DD/Vinyl now via Black Throne Productions and Kozmik Artifactz.

Links 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cannabusband
Bandcamp: https://cannabus.bandcamp.com/music
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1howstrmxl7hJRzWTkFlmP
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/cannabus/1674032226
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CannabusBand

Stoner Metallers CANNABUS Release New Song/Video For "4RUNNER" Which Is A Psychedelic, Heavy Rock Trip From Their Forthcoming New Album

Canadian heavy psychedelic rockers Cannabus return with “4Runner,” the fourth single & third music video from their upcoming full-length album “Ride The Bus”, due July 3 through Black Throne Productions & Kozmik Artifactz.

“4Runner” captures the band’s continuing evolution beyond their jam-heavy roots seen in their previous EPs such as “The Other Side” and “The Maple Spliff Sessions”. It balances live-wire heaviness with sharpened songwriting and pushes the band further into a more refined direction while staying true to their signature blend of psychedelic rock and heavy desert rock grooves.

Accompanying the release is a new music video filmed and edited in house by Black Throne Productions & Strange Matter Media, delivering a kaleidoscopic visual trip through liquid light projections and mind-melting effects.

The video was shot live at Bovine Sex Club in Toronto during the single release show for “The Green”; the third single from the upcoming album and it reflects the hallucinatory effect Cannabus embodies during their live sets which combine heavy fuzz worship and mind-twisting psychedelic guitar work.

With “4Runner” Cannabus offers a final potent glimpse into “Ride The Bus” before it’s release on July 3rd 2026.

Vinyl Pre-Orders available at: 

https://blackthroneproductions.com/products/cannabus-ride-the-bus

https://kozmik-shop.com/CANNABUS-Ride-The-Bus-Brown-Sugar-Edition-metallic-transparent-antique-copper-LP

As a whole, “Ride the Bus” follows in the footsteps of their previous EP releases such as “The Maple Spliff Sessions” from April 20, 2023 and “Other Side” from April 19, 2024 and places heavy emphasis on authentic 70's-inspired, fuzzed out blues and high-energy psychoactive guitar solos.

Release Date: July 3
Label: Black Throne Productions & Kozmik Artifactz
Format: Digital / Vinyl

Listen To The New Single Here:

Bandcamp: https://cannabus.bandcamp.com/track/4runner
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1howstrmxl7hJRzWTkFlmP?si=9vqo159qTCGFAEwFv8iHxg
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/cannabus/1674032226
YouTube: https://youtu.be/7CEJtnfoN3c

“Far Gone Blues” Official Music Video: https://youtu.be/8eK4MHUK-d8?si=MnAx6ulAm4LMWYn3

“In the Pocket (Live)” Official Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwO4bVbXSM8

https://blackthroneproductions.com/products/cannabus-ride-the-bus

BAND BIO

Cannabus is a three-piece stoner / desert rock band from Welland, Ontario, Canada, driven by grit, groove, and fuzz-drenched riffs. Blending dirty blues rock with heavy psych, punk attitude, and metal weight, they craft a raw, smoke-thick sound that hits low, drags slow, and lingers like a haze.

Their debut release, “The Maple Spliff Sessions” was the result of a year and a half of jams forged into a four-song EP, loaded with ’60's and ’70's heavy, tripped-out psychedelia and thunderous ’90's-inspired fuzz riffs.

Following up with their second EP “The Other Side”, the band continued to push their sound further into heavier, groovier territory. Previously released tracks & music videos from “Ride the Bus” include their first single “Far Gone Blues” the second “In the Pocket”, and now the final single from the album “4Runner”, all filmed and edited by Strange Matter Media / Black Throne Productions. The singles show promise of a hard-hitting dose of riff-driven psych and low-end heaviness.

CREDITS

James Matheson- Guitar/Vocals
Brandon Doucet- Drums
Ethan Scott- Bass

Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Z Hollow Studios
Videos filmed & edited by Ryan Hilton at Strange Matter Media
Released by Black Throne Productions
Single Art by: Ryan Hilton

FIND CANNABUS HERE:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cannabusband
Bandcamp: https://cannabus.bandcamp.com/music
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1howstrmxl7hJRzWTkFlmP
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/cannabus/1674032226
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CannabusBand

Thanks to Black Throne Productions For The Details.

Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers Cannabus Drops Groovy New Single “In The Pocket” from their upcoming album "Ride the Bus"

Ontario-based band Cannabus is back with a fresh release, unveiling their latest single, “In The Pocket”. Recorded in April 2025 with Z Hollow Studios, the track captures a moment in time for the band, tracked at their former practice space in St. Catharine’s, a location that helped shape their evolving sound.

“In The Pocket” is all about feel. Rooted in the idea of locking into life’s rhythm, the song explores finding those elusive “sweet spots”, the moments where everything clicks, and learning to enjoy the ride while you’re there. With a laid-back groove, the single reflects both a sense of lived-in authenticity and the band’s musical chemistry.

Along with the single, Cannabus has released a live music video from their single release show at the Black Throne Label Night at Doors Pub in Hamilton Ontario on March 20. The single is the second from their upcoming debut album titled “Ride the Bus”which is due for digital and vinyl release on July 3, 2026 through Black Throne Productions and Kozmik Artifactz.

“In the Pocket” Official Video Stream

“Ride the Bus” follows in the footsteps of their previous EP releases such as “The Maple Spliff Sessions” from April 20, 2023 and “Other Side” from April 19, 2024 and places heavy emphasis on authentic 70s-inspired, fuzzed out blues and high-energy psychoactive guitar solos.

The live video and audio was chosen to accompany the release as it highlights the raw authenticity and live quality which the band is known for in their home province of Ontario. “In the Pocket” is the second single from the record, with the first single “Far Gone Blues” and it’s music video releasing back in December of 2025

LISTEN / WATCH “In the Pocket”

Official Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwO4bVbXSM8
Bandcamp: https://cannabus.bandcamp.com/track/in-the-pocket
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1howstrmxl7hJRzWTkFlmP
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/cannabus/1674032226
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ftKlwvJDwc

BAND BIO

Cannabus is a three piece Stoner/Desert Rock band from Welland, Ontario Canada. They meld a mix of fuzzed out blues rock with hints of Heavy Psych, Punk and Metal. Their first release "The Maple Spliff Session" was an accumulation of a year and a half of jams and transforming it into a 4 song EP ladened with 60's and 70's heavy tripped out psychedelic vibes and thunderous 90's fuzzed out riffs.

FIND CANNABUS HERE:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cannabusband
Bandcamp: https://cannabus.bandcamp.com/music
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1howstrmxl7hJRzWTkFlmP
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/cannabus/1674032226
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CannabusBand

ALBUM CREDITS

James Matheson - Guitar/Vocals
Brandon Doucet - Drums
Ethan Scott - Bass

Thanks to Black Throne Productions for the details.

An Interview With Doom/Stoner Metallers MEAN GREEN

Doom/Stoner Metallers MEAN GREEN upcoming debut album will no doubt please fans of BONGZILLA and WEEDEATER. As the band play a similar style of music but still standing on their own creative ground.

Though, MEAN Green are perhaps that little bit more aggressive and playing a more Psychedelic based sound in places.

I caught up with the band recently to discuss their formation and what to expect from the album.

Q: Hi guys. Thanks for doing the interview. How are things with you today?

A: Not too bad buddy, we just got together for practice and had a chance to answer your question together. 

Q:For folks not in the know, can you give a brief history of how the band came together and where it is today. 

A: We formed this band in early 2022, but we have been friends and playing together for a few years now. We finished recording our album recently and looking forward to releasing it soon.

Q: Can you advise if you’ve played or currently playing in other bands so folks can check out your other musical projects?. (Though I know that Alex, Jake and James played together previously in One Armed Jefferson who were a damn good Southern/Stoner Metal band).

A: Our drummer James plays in a tech-death band, Razorbeast. Alex used to play in the death metal band Warfist. I (Jake) used to play in various bluegrass and country projects but mostly as a stand in/session musician. I'm glad you mentioned OAJ, we didn’t think anyone had heard of that project.

Q: How would you describe your own sound? My own words would be WEEDIAN and Massive. 

A: We agree with that. We’ve always aimed to get the thickest sound possible with only three members.

Q: Congrats on your debut album. Loved it from the very first listen. What can people expect to hear from this album?

A: A variety of sounds that encompass all of our music inspirations. From slow and trudging doom tracks, to amped up and full throttle sludge riffs.

Q: Was your debut album a hard experience to write and record for? 

A: The writing process was slightly hectic due to time constraints between arranging shows and being invited on a tour, considering that we had not written enough material to fill out a full set. However this allowed us to fine tune our songs in a live setting and on the road. When it came time to record, thanks to our talented studio engineer Reilly Appert, everything went very smoothly.

Q: What bands and artists influenced you when recording this album? 

A: Between all three of us it was a huge mix. I would say mainly Sleep, Weedeater, Monolord, Electric Wizard, Boris, and Windhand.

Q: What formats is the album being released upon and I’m seeing you’re releasing this album yourselves?

A: Yes we are doing an independent release. It will be released on bandcamp, spotify, pandora, and apple music.

Q:Are there plans to release this album on Physical Media?

A: We are planning a limited run on vinyl in addition to a CD release? 



Q: The artwork is freaking awesome. Who designed the artwork and how much input did you have into the overall design of this? 

A: Artwork was created in-house by James, our drummer. There was this really cool old race car on the side of the road by our practice spot and we decided it would be perfect for our album cover.

Q: What is the creative process or setup within the band? Do you all write the music together or do certain people within the band do that?

A: Most of it is written as a group during practices. Some songs and lyrics are written by each of us individually. We all wanted this project to have equal input from each of us.

Q:How did you get involved with music? Was it a particular album, group or artist that made you want to write and play your own music?

A: I (Jake) have been playing music my whole life as my dad was a professional country/ bluegrass musician. So music has always been a part of my life. It wasn't until Alex introduced me to Sleep that I realised I wanted to start playing heavy music.

Alex started playing music when he was pretty young, He didn’t start taking it seriously until he got into heavy music in 2017. That is when he decided he wanted to be a musician professionally and write his own music.

James started playing drums in middle school, starting his first band with members of his high school marching band. He continued to play in bands of his own, and as a session musician in college. After graduating, he decided to focus almost entirely on music, with Mean Green being his primary project.

Q:What is the current state of the Boone, North Carolina Rock/Metal scene? Do you perform gigs on a regular basis and do you have a local scene that you're actively involved with?

A: There is a small but tight metal scene in Boone, with the likes of Bongfoot, Hempire, Razorbeast, Goodwrench, and ourselves. We play on a pretty consistent basis but the main problem with Boone is the lack of suitable venues.

Q:Will you be performing any gigs to promote this album locally or further afield! 

A: We have a few gigs coming up (check our instagram for updates). Our album release show is on March 24th at The Odd in Asheville.

Q: Before you go, do you have any words of wisdom for your new and potential fans out there? 

A: Bring ear plugs, it's gonna be loud

Words by Steve Howe and MEAN Green. 

MEAN GREEN debut album will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from March 24th 2023.

Links

Official | Instagram | BandCamp

Motherslug - Blood Moon Blues (Album Review)

Release Date: August 13th 2022. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Blood Moon Blues - Tracklisting

1.Misery 01:29

2.Hordes 06:44

3.Breathe 03:28

4.The Ballad of Jock Brown 06:49

5.Evil 05:40

6.Crank 03:26

7.Monolith 05:16

8.Forever More 07:47

9.Push the Venom 02:30

10.Deep In The Hole 04:05

11.You (a love song) 08:24

12.Misery (slight return) 03:17

Members

Bass - Cyn Bae

Drums - Nick Rad

Guitars - Regan Batley

Vocals - Cam Crichton

Additional Guitars, Mellotron and Percussion - Matt Dawkins

Additional Vocals - Cleo Morgan

Review

Aussie Stoner Metallers Motherslug are suffering from a severe case of the BLUES on their new album Blood Moon Blues. As this abum revels in the Blues Rock side of Doom/Stoner Metal with the band focusing upon their own twisted version of Folk Based AMERICANA or Country Outlaw Rock. This is an interesting creative direction that the band have taken with this album and it’s quite different to their 2017 album The Electric Dunes of Titan.

However their familiar sounding gloomy WEEDIAN grooves are still intact but with a more down-tuned and BLACK SABBATH based sound. Motherslug have written bleak and twisted lyrics for this album and Cam’s vocals are perhaps influenced by artists from the classic era of Grunge.

The psychedelic energy spiced throughout the album can be classed as NEGATIVE ENERGY but this adds to the overall sonic experience of the fantastic down-tuned grooves.

The first opening songs of Misery, Hordes and Breathe are sublime heavy WEEDIAN and DOOM based songs with Motherslug showing a wealth of creativity that keeps the mood vibrant and pulsating with some of the best sounds I’ve heard from the band to date.

Fourth song The Ballad Of Jock Brown was a real challenge to listen to and I was ready to press the fast forward button. As the first half is a Blues Rock/Americana based then the more exciting second half kicks in. As Motherslug plays a frantic blast of distorted Doom/Stoner Metal riffs that give this track SOUL. A track that has slowly become one of my favourite tracks on the album.

Motherslug continue with their BLUES ROCK based musical adventure with a slightly NOLA vibe appearing on the later stages of the album. The album could have easily run out of steam with its epic length of almost fifty nine minutes but Motherslug kept plugging away, performing one outstanding track after another.

Other great tracks to check out are: Evil, Monolith, Deep In The Hole and You (A Love Song)

Blood Moon Blues is a well crafted album with solid production values that only adds to the overall listening experience. This is still a “rough and ready” kind of album that Motherslug have perfected since their debut album.

Motherslug are one of the best bands from the underground Aussie Doom/Stoner Metal scene and this album only confirms that statement. This is a wickedly entertaining album that is Motherslug’s biggest and boldest album to date.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Marijuana Johnson Release New Video For SMOKE SIGNALS

Weedian Stoner Metal Outlaws Marijuana Johnson release the brand new music video for "Smoke Signals". The final song from their acclaimed current album GEM CITY KUSH which you can see below:

The band said this about the new video: "This video was a labor of love--and a bitch to edit, ha ha--but I think it turned out really fun! We slay a dragon at the top of Everest and steal his weed; you know, normal stuff."

Normal stuff indeed guys....

Anyway check the guys out from the links below and give them a like if you haven't already on the multiple Social Media Platforms below:

MARIJUANA JOHNSON Official Site: https://marijuanajohnson.com MARIJUANA JOHNSON on Instagram: https://bit.ly/37rH5Ho MARIJUANA JOHNSON on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2VIOaRC MARIJUANA JOHNSON on Twitter: https://bit.ly/3itZM3K MARIJUANA JOHNSON on Bandcamp: https://bit.ly/3CpFpwF MARIJUANA JOHNSON on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2U0AGjq MARIJUANA JOHNSON on Apple Music: https://apple.co/3xuYDgn MARIJUANA JOHNSON on TikTok: https://bit.ly/3fKk8Uy

BONGZILLA - Weedsconsin (Album Review)

Release date: April 20th 2021. Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl 

Weedsconsin – Tracklisting

Sundae Driver
Free The Weed
Space Rock
The Weedeater
Earth Bong / Smoked / Mags Bags
Gummies

Members

Muleboy (bass, vocals)
Spanky (guitar)
Magma (drums)

Review

Legendary WEEDIAN Doom/Stoner Metal Icons BONGZILLA return with their first new album in 16 years and it’s a glorious and welcome return. Weedsconsin is what you expect from an album that’s powered by the mighty WEED and then some. BONGZILLA have found time to venture into new areas of Psychedelic Heavy based weirdness on this album with the album having an adventurous Spaced Out feel though still remaining a true BONGZILLA record.

The album contains 6 slabs of mighty fine Stoner based Reefer Madness with some songs being firm favourites already for myself such as Sundae Driver, Free The Weed, Space Rock and the epic 15 minute plus track of Earth Bong / Smoked / Mags Bags though maybe I’m getting too far ahead.

Opening song – Sundae Driver – is a distorted bass heavy ride with that feels like BONGZILLA have never been away with their “classic” style of music leading the way. The music is brutally heavy and addictive with Muleboy’s vocals being the trippy storyteller the album wonderfully needs. There is a lot of DEMONIC FUZZ on this record and the album is more powerful for the LOUD VOLUMES the band use on the album.

Second song – Free The Weed – is a slow pounding song with BONGZILLA playing a cautious style of music before unleashing another heavy round of DEMONIC WEEDIAN based madness. The song is down-tuned yet again with an ugly underbelly of Doom/Sludge Metal causing the atmosphere to be quite volatile but the Psychedelic moments sees the band play some highly memorable instrumental sounds that leave you wanting more.

Third song – Space Rock – is superbly named with BONGZILLA drifting further into the realms of Psychedelic Rock and Spaced Out Stoner Doom. The song is one of the finest songs they’ve written in their lengthy careers. Psychedelic Rock/Metal is the key foundation of this song and it uses the 10 minute plus running time superbly well and shows style of music we haven’t heard from the band before. The vocals are harsh but easy to understand.

Fourth song – The Weedeater – is 35 second blast of WEEDIAN style ideas. It’s mostly there to fill in the time but there is some very cool Distorted Drone sounds before the song ends.

The final two songs of Earth Bong / Smoked / Mags Bags and Gummies offer almost 22 minutes of the best moments of the album with the band feeling more comfortable with their new musical surroundings. BONGZILLA play a more Progressive style of music especially on the 15 minute epic multi-chapter journey of Earth Bong / Smoked / Mags Bags.

This is perhaps one of the best Stoner Metal comeback albums since SLEEP released The Sciences back in 2018. Weedsconsin is the album that BONGZILLA needed to return with and they’ve delivered one of the finest Stoner Metal albums we’ll likely to hear in 2021.

It’s seriously a MUST HAVE ALBUM....

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo. Weedsconsin will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds Records from April 20th 2021.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp