Burnt Lung - Burnt Lung (EP Review)

 

Release Date: July 10th 2024. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Burnt Lung - Burnt Lung: Tracklisting

1.Burnt Lung 04:09

2.Crowbar 02:49

3.High On 04:20

4.Rest and Rot 03:45

Review

Vancouver, British Columbia Doom/Stoner Metal upstarts Burnt Lung self-titled debut EP promises over fifteen minutes of thrilling sounds that hits the right balance of Psychedelic Heaviness and Sludgy based heaviness with a fantastic METALLIC groove which allows the harsh sounding vocals to thrive within an unsettling atmosphere. 

Burnt Lung demonstrates a Progressive Post-Rock or Post-Doom attitude that is solidified very early on within the opening standout track of Burnt Lung. A song that allows Burnt Lung to play with a ice-cold and muscular sound with a creative flow easily comparable to bands such as High On Fire and Mastodon if leaning further into the Atmospheric Sludge Rock way of life.

Second song Crowbar is an absolute crushing song with overlapping METALLIC rhythms and Progressive channels opting for a killer WEEDIAN sound. There’s a fantastic STOP/START momentum that appears within the guitars that sees Burnt Lung drift into heavier areas of Psych Metal, Thrash Metal and Groove Metal with the harsh vocals allowing the music becoming quite obsessed with Classic Hard Rock guitar licks towards the later stages of the track.

Third song High On opens with a deeply methodical Progressive/Thrash based Sludge/Stoner energy with that muscular slab of gloomy heaviness that sees Burnt Lung offer daring instrumental solos that has a KICK-ASS aggressive and bone-crunching sound. The vocals remain the same though they seem to be firmly in the background when the heavy NOLA/SLUDGE sounding guitars delve into Psychedelic BONG based waters yet again.

The final song Rest And Rot is a Psychedelic Doom offering with certain NOLA themes appearing whilst keeping up with the “ice-cold” progressive structure of the DOOMED OUT guitars and harsh vocals allowing Burnt Lung to end the EP on a mighty impressive finish.

Burnt Lung show signs of huge promise and great potential within their debut EP. They’re by no means the finished article but they have a wealth of superb sounding ideas throughout the EP. This makes their debut EP such a highly irresistible mix of heavy grooves the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal community will no doubt go absolutely CRAZY for.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Linktree | BandCamp

Happy 4/20 - An Interview With Dennis Petersen from SLOWJOINT - Announce New Album And Reveal Album Cover

  

I seem to be the blog that Danish Sludge/Stoner Metallers – SLOWJOINT – always use when they want to announce something or to update their fans with what’s been going on with the band.

So it was cool that Dennis from SLOWJOINT contacted me recently to do this great interview on the HOLIEST OF DAYS for Weedian/Stoner Metal fans. 4/20.

So let me say HAPPY 4/20. Here’s my small contribution to the celebrations. It may not be on the grand scale of what SLEEP achieved last year when they released their album – THE SCIENCES.

It’s been a while since I’ve spoken to SLOWJOINT and I was intrigued to see what Dennis had to say and I was kinda pleased that I did. As the guys have a major announcement. Well it’s major to me as I’m a huge fan of the band.

So let’s see what’s going on….

Hi Dennis. How’s it going. Happy 4/20. Hope you’re getting high on this special day?

Hey Steve. Sure, everyday is a special day, when it comes down to that.

Well it’s been about 9 months since we last spoken on the blog. Always good to feature you around here. So what have you been up to then?

We’ve been spending a little more time writing songs than playing live lately. We’ve had some shows here and there, but mainly we’ve been writing new stuff.

Do Slowjoint have a new record coming out? If so can you give us the juicy details?

We most certainly do. It’s called Jutlandian, and we actually just revealed the cover. It’s hand painted on plywood and you can see the material through the painting, which looks really cool. We’re very happy with it, both the songs and the way the artwork turned out. It’s an ode to Jutland. For what it’s worth…

Is it a Full Length Album or EP? 

It’s a full album. 8 songs in just about 40 minutes.

When will you be releasing it?

We actually don’t know yet. We recorded it in December but things take time with us. Definitely before summer ends. Definitely maybe.

Is this a different sound from SLOWJOINT. Or is it still the same demented Weedian riffs you guys are known for.

It’s a hundred percent Slowjoint, for sure. But it still has something new to it. Tor joined in on the drums right before we recorded The Spliff Split with Gaia. So I guess you can tell that we’re more played together now in some way. There’s that, and also this time we approached the songwriting a little different. Usually I come up with one or two riffs for each song, we meet a few times and jam and then we hit the studio.

This time we met, jammed the two riffs and recorded it on a zoom recorder. That way we could listen to it at home and come up with ideas like we usually do but this time before final recordings. We’re so innovative, ha ha. And it’s not solos and fly-fucking we’re talking about. It’s just different breaks and an alternate riff and small improvements. So the main idea with nonthinking song structure is pretty intact, there’s just a little more effort put into it. I still wrote at least three lyrics on the spot in the studio.

Will it be getting a physical release. If so, who will be releasing it.

Yes it will. Vinyls and cassettes. 300 vinyls with some limited colour thrown in there and a small amount of cassettes. I can’t fucking wait to see the artwork on vinyl! We’re releasing it ourselves in a collaboration with a Danish record store called Vinyltrolden and a label called Virkelighedsfjern which is basically Morten and Kriller from Gaia who are very good friends of ours. Even though they’re from Copenhagen.

Was it a hard record to write and record for compared to your other releases.

Before this record we used to throw away riffs that needed too much effort and work put into it. There is a song on Jutlandian, which caused us some late hours half drunk and grumpy at rehearsal because I thought Tor played the drums in reverse with the kick and snare, until something finally came together and it ended up as one of my favourites. It sounds totally different from what I intended but I’m glad we didn’t just throw it away. So I wouldn’t say it was hard but we definitely took our time getting here, ha ha. As I said we approached it a little differently this time but that was mainly a good thing. At some point I felt like a real musician. Just for a second. And then it was gone…

Did you do anything differently with the recordings compared to your previous releases.

We recorded it in three days with Jacob Bredahl at Dead Rat Studio. Same place as we recorded the split and Weed Wrestling 7”. We always record live except for vocals and guitar dubs and it was the same deal this time. We just want to sound like the three of us together in a room and Jacob seems to know what the fuck to do with us. Plus he’s a fun and relaxing guy to be around so it was all good times. He fucking mixes while brewing beer in the kitchen in the back. He don’t need further presentation from here, ha ha.

Will you be touring the record heavily or will it be one-off shows. 

We have plans. We’re going Pinky and the Brain on this one. But yeah, usually we just do shows on the weekends because Denmark is really not that big.

Are there any plans for you to tour Europe in the near future.

We’re starting off in Denmark and see how far we can get from here. Right now we’re planning on some smaller tours with different bands. We’ve been to Germany a few times and we’re definitely going back there next year! We’re trying to do everything ourselves so it’s a jungle. But for sure, we wanna play Europe!

Thanks for doing this interview. Before you go do you have anything to say to your fans. Best of luck with the new record.

Yeah stash up and get ready for the new release. We’re very happy about it and hope you dig it too.

Thanks Steve! Happy 420

Thanks to Dennis for doing this interview. Lets hope the band have more news soon in the future when the album will be released.

Words by Steve Howe and Dennis Petersen

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

UP SHIT CREEK - An Interview with Dennis from SLOWJOINT

It's been a hell of a long time since I last spoke to Dennis from Danish Sludge/Stoner Rockers – Slowjoint. I became a fan of these guys back when I was doing The Sludgelord. Their music is a highly infectious blend of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal riffs. All held together by pure Weedian Magic.

I've interviewed them a few times over the years but I wanted to see how things were going with Slowjoint. Dennis (Singer/Guitarist) has kindly agreed to do this interview where we discuss the future of the band, upcoming releases and if they truly are still UP SHIT CREEK!!!

So light up a BONG and relax with SLOWJOINT.

Hi Dennis. How are things with you all today. Thanks for doing this interview. Been a long time.

Dennis: Hey Steve. Thanks, we’re good.

So can you tell our readers a brief history of the band and where it is today.

Dennis: We’re still going at full speed. Or I don’t know if you can call it full speed with this band but we’re still here! You know the throttle on a lawn mower, the rabbit and the turtle thing? We’re the turtle. We might move a little slower but we still cut that grass.

I've heard you now have a new drummer in your ranks. What happened to the old one. You guys all still friends.

Dennis: No we hate that little fucker! Haha. No he just had to move on. He couldn't find the time for it with his family and other bands and shit. So yeah, we’re good. But that forced us to find a new drummer, and pretty fast cause we had already booked recordings in the studio. Tor is a great guy and he puked at first rehearsal so we knew right away he was the right guy for the job. Me and him was writing some new songs earlier today. It’s gonna be bad-ass!

So what plans you have in future. Please say a new full length album. Do you have any plans to record a new album or new material.

Dennis: It’s not gonna be a full length, I know that for sure. We will release a single track on 7” vinyl on a small label called Weed Wrestling Records alongside a comic book that some crazy Swedish guy drew. It’s weird as fuck and it’s gonna be an awesome and kinda different release. Besides that, we hope that we’re gonna record 3 or 4 songs for an EP. Right now there’s six weeks till we hit the studio and we only have one song down. It’s typical us. We plan to be ahead of everything and always end up doing it all, right before deadline. Up Shit Creek was the same deal so I think it’s gonna be fine.

Will you be releasing the new material yourselves or have you signed upto a label.

Dennis: I don't know yet. I’m sure I can find a small label that wants to release the EP on tape. But the bigger deals are tough to get by. So we’ll see what happens. We’ve been kinda lucky so far so maybe something will come up. We’ll see..

Has your sound changed from your excellent debut album – Up Shit Creek – or is still the same good old fashion weedian influenced dirty heavy based sludge riffs.

Dennis: We’re still the same. I think we sound better live, than on the recordings. Our music is meant to be heard live. Not that I think we sound bad on Up Shit Creek but I hope to catch a little more live sound for the next one. This time we chose to record at Dead Rat Studios in Aarhus. I’ve recorded there a couple of times before and Jacob (Bredahl, ex-Hatesphere) is just talented and fun to be around. He makes you feel very comfortable and I’m sure he’s a good match for us.

I see Up Shit Creek has sold out on Cassette. Though you still have some Vinyl available. How has the reception been to your album on both formats. Looking back are you happy releasing your music on Cassette or Vinyl.

Dennis: Looking back I wish we’d only released a 100 vinyls of Up Shit Creek, cause then they’d been sold out by now. We released 420 vinyls instead so we still have a shit-load of them left. But people order the vinyls every now and then so its fine. We just re-released our first demo Retarded Blues Anthems on a small label called Virkelighedsfjern. It was limited to 50 cassettes and they went pretty fast. We got the half of them for live shows and the other half the label sold on their bandcamp. I think there’s a few left in there but I’m surprised they even sold 5 of them. Back when we released it the first time I dubbed the demo to second hand tapes and it was limited to 27 copies. We sold about half before the rest got stolen at a Christmas gig. Haha.

Is there anything you would change anything about Up Shit Creek the album itself. If so what would you change.

Dennis: No I wouldn't change a damn thing even if I could. That record is Slowjoint as Slowjoint was at that time. I don’t think we changed since then, we just got a little better at what we do. Maybe. or maybe not…

Have you performed live regularly over the last few years. Or is it just a gig here and here.

Dennis: We used to do it here and there wherever I could book shows for us. We’re still not doing major tours but this last year has been good to us. We went on a small Danish tour in February with Grusom, Dirt Forge and Bersærk. We were well received and it was fun as hell. After that we signed with the label that booked the tour. It’s a small Danish label called Tråd. A guy and a gal with a heart for extreme music. We’re very happy with it and we cant wait to see what they have in the bag for us.

What's the song-writing dynamic in the band. Do you all contribute on a riff and build upon from there. Or is it down to one individual.

Dennis: I usually write the riffs and main structure and we jam the rest. We’re not spending months on one song and shit like that. It’s just riff’s and a heavy groove to keep it going. I love this genre…

What equipment do you use when recording in the studio or playing live. Do you have an advanced setup or is it very basic.

Dennis: Patrick uses his big muff and whatever full stack the venue can supply. I use a Yamaha b100, a Sunn Concert bass and a 2x15 cab for each amp. Classic stoner setup. And of course a big muff bass for extra juice! I was lucky to get my hands on the concert bass for a very reasonable price. And they’re hard to find here in Denmark too so I was stoked when I came across it and I had to buy it right away. I’m gonna use this current setup on the recordings in September It’s gonna be loud!

What influences you when recording new music. Is it getting high or is it something more meaningful than that.

Dennis: No we just eat greasy food as we do whenever we’re together. I think a good laugh and a relaxed attitude is key to a good recording session. and weed.

How do you relax away from music.

Dennis: I like being outdoors. Making camp-fires, building shelters and stuff like that. I just moved to a small town that’s located right next to the river. I go canoeing every now and then and I think that is where I’m the most relaxed of all places.

Which albums are you currently digging at the moment. Any albums that really surprised you in a big way.

Dennis: I cant keep up at all with all the new shit coming out. Even in Denmark it’s hard to keep up with all the small stoner bands popping up everywhere. But the newest band I've come across is God Dam from Copenhagen. It’s just the guys from Gaia playing this weird fucked up primitive sludge kinda thing. I love those guys. It’s their guitarist who re-released our demo. I like weird shit and try hard to find the weirdest out there. There’s this old band from Sweden called Philemon Arthur. You should check them out. Also check their Wikipedia history. It’s fucked up.

OK, fantasy question time. If you could arrange a festival line-up with yourselves on the bill. Which bands would you pick to appear on that bill and why. (You can choose any bands from any time period.)

Dennis: and we’re right back at Philemon Arthur! Haha. I’ve come to know so many people over the last year all playing different bands. I think I would invite all of them and have one big heavy party! I don’t need to mention any names but those brakes ain’t gonna work on that train right guys :D

Well Dennis thanks for doing this interview. Been great catching up with you. Do you have anything to say to your fans out there.

Dennis: Get that hand out of your pants! haha. And of course thanks for all the support. Slowjoint loves you! Mojn!

Words by Steve Howe and Dennis Petersen

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp