Exclusive Album Premiere Of Psych Doom Rockers WARLUNG Stunning New Album THE POISON TOUCH

Texas Heavy Hitters/Doom Rockers WARLUNG return with their new album THE POISON TOUCH this Friday.

This well-oiled sonic machine delivers the exact dose of evil and epic stories you need to enter the winter, with its Texas-sized grooves and vibrant dynamics, poignant NWOBHM-inspired riffs and earworm melodies, and the intoxicating dual vocals of axemen George Baba and Philip Bennet. Somewhere between old-school arena metal à la Black Sabbath and Rainbow and fitting perfectly on a playlist with Green Lung and Ghost, this fabulous blast of heaviness will enthrall all lovers of The Mighty Riff and then some.

You can listen to the album in all it's spectacular HEAVY DOOMED OUT glory with this exclusive album premiere thanks to the cool folks over at Purple Sage PR and Heavy Psych Sounds.

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the details.

The Poison Touch is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from Friday 14th February 2025.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Warlung - The Poison Touch (Album Review)

Release Date: February 14th 2025. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Poison Touch - Track Listing:

1. Digital Smoke

2. White Light Seeker

3. Mourning Devils

4. Spell Speaker

5. Holy Guide

6. Rat Bastard

7. The Sleeping Prophet

8. 29th Scroll, 6th Verse

Members

George Baba - Guitar/Vocals

Philip Bennett - Guitar/Vocals

Chris Tamez - Bass

Ethan Tamez - Drums

Review

Doom/Stoner Metallers Warlung take one step closer to greatness with their epic fifth album The Poison Touch which sees the band fully cooking on creative gas with an assorted melody of top-notch songwriting. The music is quite varied and vivid with sublime blends of Occult Rock, Doom, Stoner, Psych and good old fashioned HEAVY METAL passages.

The record builds upon the excellent work of their 2023 release Vulture’s Paradise with Warlung focusing more on melody, technical progression and musical composition on this record alone. The band seem to be having much more fun on this record which you can hear on the blistering opening track Digital Smoke which fuses the Proto-Doom sounds of the 1970’s with a killer modern day Post-Stoner Rock landscape starting to form with the bad-ass vocals from George Beba and Philip Bennett with both providing guitar duties.

Warlung are more closely linked to bands such as Blue Oyster Cult, ELDER and King Buffalo on this record whilst still developing their own original DOOM METAL dominated sound especially with the destructive and apocalyptic lyrics that accompany the excellent grooves, riffs and music. There are moments of downbeat and gloomy poppier soundscapes which are wonderfully vivid and wholly melodic especially on tracks such as White Light Seeker, Mourning Devils and Spell Speaker. 

This is perhaps Warlung’s most “OCCULT” and “DOOM” obsessive record yet with the band exploring areas of music they haven’t played or touched upon before and they do this incredibly so well especially with the more progressive and outlandish parts of The Poison Touch. Everything is bigger and bolder on this album with swirling themes of Ambient Rock, Psych Rock and Spaced Out harmonies that sometimes add a dystopian flow to the record. This is perhaps the perfect soundtrack to listen to with the shitty current events going on in the world, however The Poison Touch is still a soulful and beautifully sonic musical adventure especially on the later stages of the record.

Warlung show a flare of outrageous guitar solos along the way which taps right into the classic heyday of HEAVY METAL showmanship which they’ve done on their previous record but this is perhaps where they impress the most. The technical ability of these guys is off the charts and with Chris Tamez (Bass) and Ethan Tamez (Drums) providing the muscular rhythm section for George and Philip to add multiple waves of thrilling guitar riffs throughout.

The Poison Touch is a record that can be admired by multiple different factions of the Heavy Rock scene as Warlung have almost every base covered with moments of Classic Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Doom Metal, Proto Metal and Stoner Metal whilst still being foremost a true METAL record. 

The production values are off the chart thanks to the excellent work done by Jacob Rodriguez on recording duties with Travis Weatherred (FOSTERMOTHER) on mixing and mastering duties helping as well. Two talented folks who know a thing or two on how to make a band standout within the underground scene and they do the business here. 

The Poison Touch is perhaps Warlung’s standout record they’ve released to date which could easily be considered a GREATEST HITS package. That’s seriously how great this album is. This is without doubt an ALBUM OF THE YEAR contender. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

The Poison Touch is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from Friday 14th February 2025.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Houston Doom Rockers WARLUNG share first track off new album "The Poison Touch"; due out February 14th on Heavy Psych Sounds.

Houston's premium occult heavy rock merchants WARLUNG are set to return with their new album "The Poison Touch", to be released on February 14th through Heavy Psych Sounds. Check out their brand new single via Doomed & Stoned now!

"This song is an ode to classic sci-fi, this song warns against the destructiveness of human nature. It’s an interpretation of the Law Giver’s sacred scriptures from The Planet of the Apes lore."

 Watch Warlung's new video via Doomed & Stoned "29th Scroll 6th Verse" or below

”Their upcoming fifth studio release "The Poison Touch" delves deeper into atmosphere while maintaining the gritty undertone that defines these doom rock specialists. From start to finish, the listener is blasted with in-your-face, hard-rocking energy while simultaneously feeling like a hauntingly beautiful experience. Capture the essence of WARLUNG's live sound, this new offering keeps exploring new realms, serving as both a continuation and evolution of their occult-laden style.

As stated by Doomed & Stoned editors: "Warlung’s forthcoming 8-tracker is bursting with energy, made immediately recognizable by the distinctive two-vocalist approach of axemen George Baba and Philip Bennet that deliver some truly effective choruses, with delicious guitar harmonies, hell-yeah solos, and poignant riffs, backed by the stalwart and inventive rhythm section of Chris and Ethan Tamaz."

It will be issued in various colored and black vinyl editions, CD digipack and digital on February 14th, with preorders available now from Heavy Psych Sounds Records.

New album "The Poison Touch" - Out February 14th on Heavy Psych Sounds - Pre-order

TRACKLIST:

1. Digital Smoke
2. White Light Seeker
3. Mourning Devils
4. Spell Speaker
5. Holy Guide
6. Rat Bastard
7. The Sleeping Prophet
8. 29th Scroll, 6th Verse

WARLUNG is a Texas band formed by longtime friends and brothers in 2016. Their sound is an ode to classic rock and modern metal, mixing heavy riffs and catchy melodies with a psychedelic twist. After self-releasing their debut album “Sleepwalker” in 2017, they quickly gained a cult following around Texas, opening for bands like Wo Fat and Dead Meadow. The band seemed to accept that they don’t have to stick to traditional themes and goes for more epic storytelling, helping to further expand their sound.

They wasted no time and returned to the studio to release “Immortal Portal” in 2019, becoming a local favorite to support bands such as High Reeper and King Buffalo. WARLUNG promoted their unique sound by playing notable events such as SXSW, Stoner Jam, End Hip End It Fest, Lone Star Unleashed and Ripplefest. They are renowned for their pneumonic rage, utilizing elements of true doom, stoner rock and occult-driven blues.

After signing with Heavy Psych Sounds to release “Optical Delusions” in 2020 and “Vulture’s Paradise” in 2022, WARLUNG embarked on their first European tour in early 2023. Their wicked riffs, dream-like vocals and sinful solos subdue the listener into a deep state of fantasia. They most recently appeared on stage at festivals such as Desert Rock Fest, Seismic Summer, and Heavy Psych Sounds Fest, sharing the stage with High on Fire, Truckfighters, Bongzilla, Weedeater, Windhand, and Brant Bjork.

WARLUNG is:

George Baba - Guitar/Vocals
Philip Bennett - Guitar/Vocals
Chris Tamez - Bass
Ethan Tamez - Drums

WARLUNG links

Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Spotify

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website ⎜ Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram

Houston riff-rockers WARLUNG share "Return Of The Warlords" video; new album "Vulture's Paradise" out November 4th on Heavy Psych Sounds.

Houston occult and heavy riff-rockers WARLUNG unleash a new single taken from their upcoming fourth album "Vulture's Paradise", to be released this fall on Heavy Psych Sounds. Behold the mighty "Return Of The Warlords" now! 

The Texan foursome's haunting melodies and crushing riffs perfectly unite beauty and brutality, and their latest single "Return Of The Warlords" is another heavy metal ripper filled with epic shredding, soaring pop-tinged vocal hooks and relentless energy. Says the band about the lyrical theme: "With descriptive verses and a battle cry chorus that dissolves into chaos, “Return of the Warlords” predicts the grim reality of history repeating itself." WARLUNG brilliantly meld NWOBHM and proto-doom influences, modern heavy and picturesque horror themes without ever sounding dramatic or pompous. Their sense of storytelling and gift for delivering massive and invigorating anthems should win over fans of the likes of Ghost, Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats and Pentagram.

About the album, the band says: "We knew we had to go big on Vulture’s Paradise. These songs found the perfect balance of a raw, live sound and psychedelia. Though the lyrical themes revolve around death and destruction, the music is more alive and creative than ever."

"Vulture's Paradise" was recorded by Jacob Rodriguez at King Benny’s House of Sound, mixed by Jeff Henson (assisted by Jeff Klein) at Red Nova Ranch and mastered by Alberto de Icaza. The artwork was designed by Meike Hakkaart. The album will be issued on November 4th, 2022, with limited/classic vinyl and CD preorders available now through Heavy Psych Sounds. ► Watch their latest video for "Sky Burial"

WARLUNG took the heavy rock underground by storm in 2017 with the release of their debut album "Sleepwalker". Playing festivals such as End Hip End It Fest and opening for acts like Wo Fat and Dead Meadow, they quickly gained a cult following and high praise by both fans and critics alike. Less than a year later, they entered the studio to record their second album, which was released in February 2019. 

Immortal Portal hit #14 on the Doom Charts and was included in Weedian’s first artist compilation. WARLUNG continued to host various breweries and festivals like SXSW, and quickly became a fan favorite within the local rock community and abroad. Their audience grew as they opened for bands such as High Reeper, Forming the Void and King Buffalo. Their hotly anticipated third album "Optical Delusions" (2020, Heavy Psych Sounds) was hailed as "prodigious" by Metal Hammer and "texas-sized, riff-glazed doom seasoned with psychedelia and 70s prog" by Zero Tolerance Magazine.

WARLUNG is:

George Baba - Guitar/Vocals
Philip Bennett - Guitar/Vocals
Chris Tamez - Bass
Ethan Tamez - Drums

WARLUNG links

Facebook ⎜Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Spotify

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links

Website ⎜ Facebook ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Instagram

Warlung - Optical Delusions (Album Review)

Release date: October 09th 2020. Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Optical Delusions – Tracklisting

1.Phantasmagoria 05:30
2.Scorpion In The Sand 04:49
3.Snake Eyes 03:21
4.Sun Eater 05:55
5.Order Of The Solar Temple 06:09
6.Hell On Earth 03:47
7.Devil's Game 05:07
8.No Man's Land 05:12

Members

George Baba – guitar/keys/vocals
Philip Bennett – guitar/vocals
Chris Tamez – bass
Ethan Tamez – drums

Review

Psych Doom Rockers Warlung take a more nuanced and different approach with their latest album Optical Delusions with the band adding a classic Heavy Metal Feel to their music at times. It’s been slightly there on their previous albums but not as dominant on this album. The Horror/Occult Themes are still there with the band giving the Occult Rock Groove a mighty kick-in-the-ass with with heavy slabs of Doom/Stoner Rock. This all mounts upto a fantastic and exciting slice of Modern based Occult/Doom Stoner Rock.

The album opens with Phantasmagoria which is the perfect combination of Halloween based thrills and chills with a lean sounding Stoner Groove that the band have fun playing mixing classic styles of Heavy Metal that reminds myself of Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats jamming with Thin Lizzy and Blue Oyster Cult especially with the vocals and progressive riffs contained within the song.

Warlung take the classic “Twin Guitar” sound to their heart on this record as it oozes Thin Lizzy style goodness which should keep the Old-School Hard Rock/Metal fan impressed along with the modern Doom/Stoner Rock fan looking for some trippy Psychedelic sounds that is becoming the standard for most albums such as this.

Optical Delusions lasts for around 40 minutes but it feels longer and that’s a good thing with Warlung playing through a collection of great songs that merges the different styles of Hard Rock/Metal whilst remaining timeless and modern from start to finish.

Warlung’s songwriting skills have improved since their last record with Optical Delusions having some top-notch lyrics that you will be singing along to with the heavy Psychedelic mix of 70s and modern based riffs. 

Songs such as: Scorpion In The Sand, Snake Eyes, Order Of The Solar Temple and Devil’s Game are the ones that impressed myself the most and the ones I had the most fun rocking out to. Even though there’s a sense of OTT seriousness to Warlung’s creative ideas, the guys never lose the focus to have fun with their music and this is action packed with addictive grooves and leaving the listener with tons of devilish fun along the way.

I didn’t realized that Warlung signed to Heavy Psych Sounds until recently and it’s a perfect fit for both parties. It’s a cool label for Warlung to be part of. Especially with their previous two albums being reissued recently by the label. More top-notch work by Gabe and company.

Anyway, back to Optical Delusions. Warlung have delivered another great album that is also helped along by top-notch production as well. This is an album that delivers plenty bang for your buck and is ALL KILLER and NO FILLER….

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR and All Noir PR for the promo. Optical Delusions is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl from Heavy Psych Sounds.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp