Interview with Aymeric from STONEWITCH

French band Stonewitch performs crude and heavy traditional doom metal with slightly stoner components. It was founded in Angoulême in January 2014 by Aymeric (guitars) and Romain (guitars, bass). Together with Serge (vocals) and Fog (drums) they composed “The Godless” demo, it took about 8 months to write these five brief songs which attracted the attention of Terror From Hell Records who releases it on cassette in July 2015.

With new drummer Cedric and bass-guitarist Joss they started to write Stonewitch's debut album, and it seen the light of day in summer 2016. We discussed the art of composing and performing doom dirges with Aymeric himself.

Salut Aymeric! How do you live now with the fact that Stonewitch debut record is released in physical format?

Hail Aleks! We are very glad that the album is finally out ! You know it's always a very long process between the moment where the songs are written and the release of the record, so yeah very happy ! Moreover, Stephano from Terror from Hell did a great job, so a big cheer to you brother!!

Yeah, how did you get on Terror from Hell train? Do you feel safe under their wing?

We asked a friend of our, the mighty Shaxul, from Manzer and owner of Legion of Death Records, if he knew some labels which can be interested in our demo. He gave us a list of contacts and we sent a few demo. Stefano was in the first to respond, he was pretty excited about the tunes and that's it, the deal was done. Yeah, Stefano is the right man for us, he is pretty comprehensive and we have the same idea on how metal should be. Terror from Hell is a great label, so yeah we feel pretty safe!

As the band was formed just two years ago, can you tell main facts about Stonewitch?

No problem. Stonewitch was created by Romain (ex-Manzer) and myself in 2014. Just a few weeks later, we asked a friends of our (Serge , vocals) , who was also the singer of our previous death metal band, to know if he would be interested in joining the band and he immediately accepted. So we began writing few songs and in august 2014, we recorded our demo The Godless, at the Caveau Studio, with the help of Fog, as a session drummer.

And then, we had some line up problem, but we finally meet Cédric (drums) and Joss (bass guitar) , in a hard drunken night, and we began rehearsing in June 2015, and we started playing live in September. So, we recorded a 6 piece (5 news songs + a cover), which became our first album, which was released in June this year through Terror From Hell Records.

Pentagram’s “Sign of the Wolf” sounds very natural amidst Stonewitch’s own songs. How did you get into the Doom Cult? How long ago did you enter this realm?

First, thanks for the compliment! I don't remember exactly when but I was really young maybe 8 or 9, when my father made me listen to the LP Master of Reality from Black Sabbath, and instantly I had chills! It was so powerful and darker than the stuff I was into (Deep Purple Led Zep, Jimi Hendrix), Black Sabbath was the thing and had this misanthropic touch which was the perfect thing for the weirdo I was/am. Then, I discover Pentagram, Saint Vitus, The Obsessed, Trouble, Candlemass, Witchfinder General, and I found a whole world where I belong.

Stonewitch – Holy Smoke

By the way, why did you choose that name for the band? Sounds trendy…

Ahah here is the tricky question ! We wanted a name which represent the most how we sound, a name that evoked instantly heavy metal and doom. You can see it as “ Stoned Witch”, but it doesn't seems nice so we turned it into Stonewitch. I know why you say it's trendy, because of all the shitty stoner bands with “witch” in their name, but for us it was like a reference, homage to some bands like Angel Witch or Witchfinder General, bands whose influenced us a lot, bands not so trendy after all..

So nearly a month ago Terror from Hell Records released Stonewitch full-length "The Cross of Doom". The album is heavy, dark and I would say that you tend to crude sound both in instruments and vocals. How did you see the band when you started it?

I think we are getting a bit better, we never play heavy metal before, only extreme stuffs, so it was a bit challenging for us at first. On the demo, we wrote the songs with the idea of sounding the more heavy/doom as possible, so we were like doing all the clichés, and in a sense, we were a bit limited. On the album, I think we are more experienced so we let talk all of our influences with no restriction, including extreme metal, but still in an heavy/doom package.

The band also has demo record "Godless", do you feel this material sounds actual today?

Oh yeah ! We are still proud of this record ! I think there are pretty good songs on it, and it was our first try, so yes there are imperfection, things that we could had done better, but I still love it !

What was your primal inspiration when you worked over "The Cross of Doom"?

It might sounds a bit senseless, but the primal word which came to my mind is sincerity and authenticity. I really enjoy the power that lives on records like Doomicus Epicus Metallicus by Candlemass, or on the two first albums of Rainbow, the music sounds so real and so powerful and we wanted to recreate this feeling through our own style and our own abilities. When I listen to our record, I have this impression that this could be an album which came out in 80's, and that's exactly what we wanted to do. Not that we wanted to be absolutely “revival” or surfing on the nowadays hipster mode, but in the sense at this golden ages, the music had a lot more feelings that nowadays bands.

Is the artwork somehow connected with the songs or is it just some abstract image?

Not really, every songs are short stories, with different characters and settings, like stuffs in Weird tales, and they all end in tragic endings, so in a sense the character is carrying the cross of doom.

It's Romain who had the idea behind the Artwork. The ghost who appeared from the instrument of the violin player is the personification of the feeling of our music, a dark torment that will obsessed everyone who dares listen to The Cross Of Doom... ha ha

How long did you compose and then polished these songs? Was this process smooth or did you meet any obstacles on your way?

Hum.. I don't remember exactly but I think I wrote the songs in like 4 months. After that, we rehearsed them a lot every week, played them live few times I think and we recorded it. Yeah it was pretty smooth, the only obstacle that we met, was when I came up with the song Cross of Doom 3 weeks before our recording studio session. I really like this song, and I had to convince hard the others members of Stonewitch to record it and include the song on the release ha ha At the beginning, we had in mind to make an EP, but when all was recorded, we were so much satisfied with the result so we began to think it could became our first album, and that was it !

Can you pick up the song that represents the best of Stonewitch on "The Cross of Doom"?

To me, I don't know if my partners will be agree, it might be Holy Smoke. It's cover all the elements of metal that we include in our sound, there are off course very heavy doom parts, mixed with twin guitars NWOBHM inspired parts. This song concludes with an epic acceleration, that I’m particularly proud of. So yeah, I think this is the best song to describe how Stonewitch sounds: heavy, varied and intense.

What did “The Cross of Doom” release change in your life? Is it somehow different now?

Hum, nothing! We play metal inspired by old doom metal and bands from the NWOBHM, genres which are not at all mainstream, so the release didn't change our lives, you know what I mean? We are very satisfied with this album, but we don't do music for fame or anything else, we just do what we would want to hear, that's it.

Stonewitch – Wintery Falls

What’s about your addiction to doom metal? Do you collect vinyl?

Oh, I’m a freaking music junkie, not just about doom. I listen to so many things, from Jazz/prog, to black metal, including doom of course. So, I do collect but not as much as I wanted! If I'd buy everything I listen to, I would probably be homeless! The two last vinyls I bought are Lost Breed – Wino Daze and the Blue Oyster Cult album The Revolution By Night.

Do you visit gigs of the bands that play in your region?

Yeah, as much as possible! In our region, there are people who propose very interesting gigs, I can mentioned the association Anthems Of Steels, a group of die hards, who brought Vulcano in Pictavia for example, and make some great gigs!

With Cédric ( Drums), we are also in an association, called Raise The Dead in our home town Angoulême, to organize underground metal concerts, in October we will make Black Oath and Riti Occulti play !

How often do you play gigs in your region? Can you say that doom scene in France is already formed and has its leaders?

We play like a gig a month. We would like to play more, but for a first year of making live, it's not that bad, and we met a lot of great guys on the road.

Yeah we can say that, there are a lot more doom metal bands than a few years ago, I can mention our friends from The Bottle Doom Lazy Band, Presumption, Barabbas, Clouds Of Dementia.

Aymeric, thank you for your time and answers, let’s resume – what are your plans for Stonewitch future? Do you plan to go on further with it?

More gigs!! Ha-ha We hope that we'll be playing more and more this year, and we have a couple of new songs, maybe returning back to studio again.

Thanks Aleks, for your support, and see you all maniacs!

Words by Aleks Evdokimov and Aymeric

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Wretch - S/T (Album Review)

Release date: August 26^th 2016. Label: Bad Omen Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Wretch – S/T – Tracklisting

1. Running Out Of Days

2. Rest In Peace

3. Bloodfinger

4. Winter(Judas Priest cover)

5. Icebound

6. Grey Cast Mourning

7. Drown

Band Members:

Karl Simon - vocals, guitar

Bryce Clarke - bass guitar

Chris Gordon - drums

Review:

This one of the most anticipated releases for me this year, if not for the decade. Already when the Indianapolis band formed back in 2013, I've been yearning for their debut. That was heightened even further after seeing their powerful performance at Vultures Of Volume II in 2015. So when news started to filter through that Karl Simon's new band was about to unleash some kind of magic, yours truly has been walking on egg shells. But now the wait is over and holy mother of all things heavy and doom, Wretch's self-titled first wax is beyond words.

Karl lead the charge in his former band the mighty The Gates Of Slumber, where his passionate voice and brilliant guitar playing set the tone for a kind of doom metal no one could superseded. Therefore, after the sad demise of that band, I, for one, has missed Karl immensely. However, that is rectified and then some, since he is back with a vengeance. And his old cohort from The Gates Of Slumber, Chris Gordon, bangs the skins.

A sinister, foreboding riff sets off opener, 'Running Out Of Days'. Pounding drums follows before the thumping bass guitar joins in and the song explodes. Relentlessly Wretch pushes through the pain, anger and dejection of watching someone close fade away and die. It leads straight into ‘Rest In Peace’ where the rhythm section annihilates me, while THE riffs shreds whatever remains of me into nothingness. Lyrically, it is one of the most candid and heartfelt songs I’ve ever heard: “My life's been my own making, mine and mine alone, a cross to bear, a heavy stone”. It’s a strange sensation, yet liberating at the same time, to headbang and thrash around madly, while tears are streaming down my cheeks to the memories of long gone but nor forgotten friends. Listen to Karl’s fantastic guitar solo and his tormented vocals. Sends chills down my spine. A wonderful composition in all it’s misery. ‘Bloodfinger’ is one of two instrumentals on ‘Wretch’. Soaring and floating, looking for release the band is on point. They work within a structure but throws down the gauntlet at the same time, jamming heavily. Kind of trippy and I love it! Going way back in time, Wretch unleashes Judas Priest’s ‘Winter’ from ‘Rocka Rolla’ and they make it their own, and then some. And that’s how covers should be done.

A true doom gem with strong heavy metal leanings and again, the rhythm section - Bryce Clarke, bass guitar, and Chris Gordon – is so tight and badass, which allows Karl total freedom and he uses that wonderfully. Punishing in tone and brutally honest in words. Armed with only a guitar, the second instrumental, ‘Grey Cast Mourning’, puts on the table what a fantastic six stringer Mr. Simon is. You are hard pressed to find a better wordless eulogy for a fallen friend. Cinematic in parts and medieval parts, Karl paints candidly on a grey canvas the emotions emanating from severe loss. Slow, brooding and kind of claustrophobic, closer ‘Drown’ is about when all hope is gone. Wherever you turn, whatever you do you see yourself painted into a corner by the demons that haunts you, and there’s nowhere else to go but down.

I can only speak for myself, obviously, but as dark and bleak Wretch’s debut album is lyrically, it is a catharsis every time I spin it. The music is impeccable, mixing doom with heavy metal and trippy to great aplomb. Add the purging lyrics and you have an album of the greatest quality. What else is there to stay about a wax that makes you go bonkers, bouncing around the house while wearing all your emotions on your sleeves? Wretch, thank you for creating this amazing work of art….and welcome back Karl and Chris!

Words by Håkan Nyman

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Yawning Man - Historical Graffiti (Album Review)

Release date: August 18th 2016. Label: Lay Bare Recordings. Format: DD/Vinyl

Historical Graffiti – Tracklisting

1.The Wind Cries Edalyn 08:31

2.Her Phantom Finger of Copenhagen 06:58

3.Naomi Crayola 03:05

4.The Secret Language of Elephants 06:27

5.Historical Graffiti 07:48

Band Members:

Gary Acre – Guitar

Mario Lalli – Bass

Bill Stinson – Drums

Guest Musicians

Sara Ryan - Violin

Adolfo Trepiana – Accordion

Malene Arce – Mellotron/Keyboards

Review:

Iconic and Legendary Desert/Stoner Rockers – Yawning Man – return with their first album in six years. Historical Graffiti sees the band return to their earlier sounds whilst creating a more experimental affair. The album which was recorded in Buenos Aires, Argentina during their 2015 South American Tour. Yawning Man have some cool special guests on the album making appearances here and there with Sara Ryan on Violin, Adolfo Trepiana on Accordion and Malene Arce on Mellotron and Keyboards.

The results are instantly rich and rewarding with the psychedelic riffs having something magical about them. This is an album built on emotions as it has a dreamlike quality especially on the first two opening tracks – The Wind Cries Edalyn and Her Phantom Finger Of Copenhagen. Crazy titles, sure but Yawning Man have never played by the rules as they emerged as one of the leading lights from the Desert/Stoner Rock scene.

Historical Graffiti has a more reserved ambient post-rock sound compared to the band's earlier albums but Yawning Man still show a flair for heavier Desert/Stoner grooves. We all know the rich musical history the band members have and it's that wealth of experience that makes Yawning Man such a unique band within the Desert/Stoner Rock scene.

Historical Graffiti has definitely been worth the wait as the music is expertly played through out. The album has more of a jam-based quality with the band operating/recording in a more looser environment that their perhaps used to. The heavier spaced out moments on the album is where Yawning Man truly come alive especial on The Secret Language of Elephants and the superb title track – Historical Graffiti.

I could go on for an eternity explaining how magical and wonderful this album really is. I will let Yawning Man's music do all the talking as Historical Graffiti is a spellbinding and wonderful album. This is a must have album. No question.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Lay Bare Recordings for the promo. Historical Graffiti is available to buy on DD/Vinyl now from Lay Bare Recordings.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Interstelar - Resin (Album Review)

Release date: August 13^th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Resin – Tracklisting

1.siL0 04:52

2.Resin 07:19

3.High Horse 05:03

4.Hold It 03:50

5.Opposite Daze (II) 05:20

6.Armada (II) 05:31

7.Behold 04:29

8.Sequoia 04:14

Band Members:

J. Kothmann - Vocals, Guitar

Gary Gladson - Lead Guitar

P.J. McMullan - Drums

Joe "Pooch" Puccio - Bass

Review:

I first came across Interstelar back in 2011 when they released their debut EP – On Black Waves – and I rated it very highly when I was The Sludgelord. They have an actual quote I used listed still on their BandCamp Page if you want to check it out. I thought the guys had split up as they've been remarkably quiet since then.

Now 5 years later, Interstelar are back with their new album – Resin. It's a very different sounding band compared to their debut EP. Their music is a mix of Doom, Stoner, Grunge, Space Rock with a few sludgy interludes thrown in for good measure. The best way to describe Resin is SPACED OUT STONER GRUNGE. The vocals from Jason have a slight Blues Rock influence though he oozes confidence through out the entire album.

The album is a mixture is of 90s classic sounding Stoner/Grunge riffs with modern psychedelic and space rock grooves that will keep you entertained throughout. The song-writing is superb as it gives Resin quite an unforgiving nature. Songs such as: siL0, Resin, Hold It, Behold and Sequoia are the main standout tracks on the album. As this is where Interstelar create some epic riffs and heavy moments to standout from the crowd. You may hear influences such as TOOL, Audioslave, Soundgarden and Alice In Chains on the album but Interstelar create their own sound to impress you with.

The production is superb from the start as it allows Interstelar to take the listener onto an epic spaced out journey. Fans of MUSE will find much to enjoy here as Interstelar touch on similar ideas but with a more twisted and grungier outlook. It may have taken 5 years for Interstelar to return but Resin is a stunning record that the band should rightly be proud of.

These guys may take another 5 years to release a new record. So savour the moment and enjoy this spaced out epic album. Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

The Buck Stops Here!!! - An Interview with Bucky Brown from THE RIPPLE EFFECT/RIPPLE MUSIC

Today's guest is not part of a band or even a recording artist as such .Though he does play a prominent role within the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal community. If writing reviews for The Ripple Effect or his involvement with Ripple Music. Plus he's recently taken over the mantle of Head-Honcho at the awesome site that is The Doom Charts where he collaborates all the scores from the Doom Charts Contributors for the monthly list.

I've been friends with Bucky Brown for a few years now and we've worked together in the past on The Sludgelord and our involvement with TheDoom Charts.

I wanted to find out more about Bucky's musical journey began and he kindly agreed to do this interview. Bucky is a fearless and dedicated supported of everything that is HEAVY within the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal community. You only need to look at his BandCamp purchases. Over 1400 items purchased and still counting...

So sit back and enjoy this great interview with Bucky.

Hi Bucky. Thanks for doing this interview. How are things with you today.

Things are just getting started. It’s Sunday morning over here, having a cup of coffee enjoying some downtime while the kids are still asleep. Work begins as soon as they come downstairs. We’re heading up to the lake later today to do some boating with friends. So it’s definitely better than tomorrow is slated to be.

How did you get started reviewing with the entire blogging scene. Can you give a brief overview where you started and where you're currently writing today.

First and foremost, it all started with me just being a reader and a fan of all the cool blogs and zines on the internet. I was a late bloomer in terms of internet activity, but I wouldn’t be where I am today without those of you who had taken the initiative to start up a blog or zine to promote and review all this awesome underground music. Blogs such as The Soda Shop, The Ripple Effect, The Sludgelord, The Obelisk were among some of my favorites.

I would say the writing all started with the discovery of bandcamp. The fact that you’re given the ability to write some mini-reviews on the albums you purchase and add to your collection was just appealing and fun. I started writing blurbs, during the beginning stages of the platform and I started gaining followers and getting notices that fellow fans were purchasing albums based on my feed.

I later got a request from Grip of Delusion Radio who asked if I would be one of their exclusive album reviewers for the radio show’s short lived blog. I took on the role and began writing reviews for grumpy old Gary “Delusion” which was an honor. From there, I was asked to become a writer for several blogs in the heavy underground scene including The Sludgelord, and The Ripple Effect, where I reside today in terms of blogging. Oh ya, I guess the Doom Charts count as well. I’ve been editing and publishing the posts on the Doom Charts pretty regularly lately.

Obviously you had a brief few months writing for The Sludgelord when I was involved. Did that get you noticed by a bigger platform. Did you enjoy your time writing for The Sludgelord.

As far as getting me noticed by a bigger platform, I do not know? The Sludgelord to me was as big as it gets for quality album discoveries, great exposure for “good” bands. I was extremely honored to be a writer for the Sludgelord while it lasted, and to this day feel that some of my stronger reviews were while writing for the blog. I was in a different zone back then I think.

You're now writing for The Ripple Effect. How did you hook up with those guys.

I hooked up with those clowns similarly to how I hooked up with Grip of Delusion and Sludgelord. First off, I was a huge fan of the label and a regular customer (still am). I can’t remember if I actually asked to join after them soliciting for writers or if Todd reached out and asked. Either way, the opportunity arose and I felt The Ripple Effect was right down my alley and I fit right in over there.

Do you have any involvement with the fine folks over at Ripple Music.

Other than spending all my lunch money on every single one of their releases and over at their distribution sister store Heavy Ripples, in fact, yes I am officially part of the team. Todd has been consulting with me for quite some time before I got the official “position” at Ripple. In technical terms Todd told me he was putting me responsible for A&R for the label, along with Bill Goodman (The Evil Engineer) who had been dealing with Ripple behind the scenes for a while (Got Mothership and Zed on board I believe).

To be honest, at the time I had to look up what A&R meant (Arts and Repertoire). In reality, the label is basically a non-profit outfit and we all work with each other out of the goodness of our hearts and powered by our passion to spread the gospel of the almighty riff. I don’t carry a business card, I don’t get paid (an album two, here and there) and I don’t sit in an office like the A&R folks at the major labels back in the heyday (See show on HBO Vinyl) Anyway, I have become an integral middle man in scouting new bands for the label and leave the business end up to Todd and Pope.

Have you suggested bands to Pope and Todd who have eventually been signed to Ripple Music. If so, can you tell us which bands you had a part in getting signed to the label.

To piggy-back on the last question I have been suggesting and helping get several bands recently signed to the label. Not to take full credit, as Todd is a master at communication and does the heavy lifting in actually contractually signing the bands. My first big band find who joined up was Bonehawk. That one was actually probably the fastest to become a reality also. I think Todd can agree, I sent him the link to their self-titled album on bandcamp with a big recommendation as to them being Ripple worthy and to listen up. He was on the horn with the band that night working out a deal, and the rest is history.

As you probably noticed, Ripple has been going kind of crazy this year signing all kinds of bands. Others I was directly responsible for suggesting recently have been Salem’s Bend, Plainride, Aver (from Australia), many of the Second Coming of Heavy Split series bands including Red Mesa, The Trikes (upcoming). Todd confides in me to give a blessing on other bands he’s been looking at. There has got to be a general agreement with the group before a serious commitment is initiated. That goes for the bands more than anything. It’s a super fun endeavour and one I feel very lucky to be a part of.

Have any of those band personally thanked you for getting them signed to the label.

Of course, some more actively than others. I’ve never really met any of the new signings in person, but we normally keep in touch on Facebook or email and like the rest of the community, everyone has been genuine, professional and polite. That is bands that we’ve actually taken the next step and pursued to sign, as well as the many that are in the running and we are currently keeping our eyes and ears on. We don’t sign every band that comes along. There have been many that may have had some cool tunes, but the attitudes did not fit. Ripple looks for determined, professional, and humble personalities as an integral part of the bands we sign.

You have a wide range of musical tastes across different genres. What are your favourite genres of music and why do they appeal to you. I'll even let you discuss your preference for Country Music.

Ya I really only listen to Country Western on my own time. This whole doom, stoner and sludge thing is just a façade. Only kidding. I would definitely agree my tastes are relatively wide. I was raised in a small town with only a country radio station. I can recite word for word many old school country songs from the 80’s and 90’s and that had a lasting impact. I wouldn’t say that the mainstream country is for me, as it is total garbage nowadays. Currently I listen to mostly hard rock and roll, the kind of stuff Ripple Music puts out. I have a very soft spot for alternative country, Americana type stuff like The Drive-By Truckers, Lucero, and some of the stuff like that. I’ll listen to anything as long as it has a solid groove, melody, guitar lick, lyric, or beat to it.

Which band, artist, album or genre did you first become a fan of. How did your love-affair with music began.

I have always had a love for music despite my parents not really being totally into music. My dad has pretty good taste to be honest, yet back in the day there wasn’t the access we have today. My first love had to be The Eagles as a child. Me and my brothers and dad would cram into his old 72’ Ford flat bed and hit the dirt roads on a regular basis with the Hotel California tape on repeat. My mom played a lot of oldies, which have stuck with me as memories, and she loved Heart, which is definitely an applicable sound to what I listen to nowadays.

Entering into middle school and high school when I first heard Tom Petty my musical interest was invigorated. Into the Great Wide Open hit a nerve with me and my musical addiction slowly began taking fold. From there I slowly began to enjoy the heavier stuff. At that time heavy was Metallica, AC/DC, then Megadeth, then Slayer, then, well it didn’t get much heavier than Slayer for me. I went through all the fads of metalcore, nu metal and during those down times, I was content and found the positives to enjoy. It wasn’t until the internet really started allowing for full albums to be heard cheaply and easily and I found out about blogs and such, when the real obsession began.

Some people know might know you for your extensive BandCamp Collection. Over 1410 purchases and fucking counting. Damn. How have you managed to build such a huge collection.

Same way a crack whore manages to lose all their teeth and winds up in the gutter on the wrong side of the tracks of course. Ya, I don’t know, I guess partly how I got there is I just listen to a lot of music. I also am fortunate enough to have a great job which affords me extra money to blow on music. It’s funny to think of myself as a guy with a big collection people know about. Do people really know me for that?

Are you on BandCamp all the time or do you just purchase items for a band/artist you actually like.

I’m camped out there in a trailer with full hook-ups are you kidding me? Just like all the online media these days, I login check the feed, see links recommended by others on Facebook, other blogs/reviews and go check them out. The ease to which you can sample, purchase, download, and share using bandcamp is what makes it so amazing. I rarely have time, nor do I actually go digging through the vaults searching for albums.

Rather, I have chosen a choice group of fans to follow, am situated within the right sector of the heavy underground scene, where the music really just comes to me. I decide which ones are worthy of further sharing, purchasing, and/or reviewing. I use the bandcamp mobile app to listen to music and how I listen to ~75% of my stuff. I have an unlimited data plan which allows this to be convenient on my phone.

For all the albums I have in my collection, I rarely actually download them, I just use the unlimited streaming via the app to listen. I’ve found that with the amount of material available there is really little need to have so much material stored on my hard drive and time is precious. Downloading and sorting a library of your own takes time. I’ve been there and done that.

Which physical media do you prefer – Cassette, CD or Vinyl.

Vinyl for sure. I’ll buy cassettes and CDs rarely and exclusively on bandcamp if the price is equivalent to paying for the digital only. They don’t even get opened, as I’ll just listen to the digital version. Who has a tape player anymore? I guess I actually do, but I collect them occasionally more out of support for the band.

I know you have quite an extensive Vinyl Collection. When did you start buying vinyl. And what was the first vinyl you bought.

I actually only started collecting vinyl a few years ago. Early 2014 I think is when I bought my first vinyl record. It was sometime after I had already amassed an extensive bandcamp collection and the vinyl purchase options started popping up. I believe the first one I bought was an album from a band called Ometaiwhich the price was relatively cheap on bandcamp, still is, and I was really digging the tunes. From there it was all downhill, or uphill depending on how you look at it. I’ve lost count on how many I have but its somewhere in the mid 500’s. Mostly all new and limited stuff.

My parents never owned a record player that I can remember, nobody in my home-town listened to records, so I was always one of those digital boys until I got infected with the vinyl addiction. A lot just has to do with my obsession to support and keep the spirit alive.

Do you have particular favourite album on vinyl you like to listen to all the time. Or are you the type of collector who buys them but never plays them.

I listen to all of them. I buy almost exclusively online and at shows, as there really aren’t any good record shops in my town. When the mail comes and there is vinyl (quite frequently) I open and listen to as soon as practical. As far as a favorite or one that gets played a lot, there are several. I can’t quite say one stands out from the crowd. I listen to some of the softer or more family oriented stuff quite often as my wife isn’t too much a fan of the heavy stuff and the kids and her are always around.

I listen to The Drive-By Truckers and Lucero a lot at home while cooking dinner. One of my favorite records has to be my white copy of Spirits of the Dead – Rumours of a Presence. It’s got a silver foil embossed cover and the feel and vibe of the album to spin on vinyl is just amazing. Another favorite is my hot pink copy of Brimstone Coven’s self-titled album released by STB Records in a limited numbered format. It’s a 45rpm record and is just stunning in all aspects.

You are heavily involved with The Doom Charts. You've been there since the start whilst I've been in and out of the last couple of years. Though I'm back for good now. Anyway, you've been collating that recently. Do you like doing the monthly doom charts or does it take it's toll on you.

We’re glad to have you back Steve. Your input means a lot and has a big impact on the scene. The Doom Charts is super fun. It seems they’ve become very liked within the community and people actually look forward to them each and every month.

Has is it surprised you how well liked the Doom Charts have become and well respected by the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal community in general.

It’s quite fascinating and pleasing to see how popular the Doom Charts have gotten. Since Lucas, the founder has taken a break, I have jumped in to help keep the charts active and developed my own spreadsheet which scores and sorts the albums in a consistent way. I’m sort of a math geek so that aspect of it is kind of fun. Then it’s just a matter of getting input from the group, filling the reviews for the top 25 albums that month and organizing it into the actual blog to publish.

I’ve been having fun with it actually, and the OCD part of my personality is kept busy with the simple things like formatting each entry, getting the bandcamp links and artwork. It’s a little bit of busy work, but I think I am good at that. Compared to my day job, its quite stress free and a good way to ease the pain.

If you could change anything about The Doom Charts. What would it be and why. Obviously you know my bug-bear is the scoring system. But that's a discussion for another day.

Well as discussed above, since I’ve been receiving the lists to score, I’ve got no beef with the scoring system. Perhaps you weren’t aware, but I’d say maybe 6-7 months of the total since the inception have been scored with my spreadsheet. The other months I honestly do not know how they were scored. From what I was told, I thought it was a very non-representative way to tally them up, but that is for another discussion.

At this stage I don’t know if I would change anything. Perhaps allow more folks to send in lists. We’ve got a rather large group of contributors and less than half of them consistently send in their lists, which makes the list that much less representative of the whole. That would probably be my only suggestion for change. Get a consistent format to submit the lists and have the contributors step up more. But I understand that we are all busy and nobody is getting paid for this. So it’s hard to demand much.

You're highly respected within the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal community. What things do you like being involved with the community. Are there certain aspects you don't like when promoting bands across the entire scenes.

Well thanks for the kind words, and it is fun to be regarded with such respect if that is indeed true. What I like is that everyone seems to be so kind and it feels like a big happy family. It’s kind of a phenomenon of sorts and the internet has allowed us to weed out our day to day physical barriers and keep in touch with people all over the globe who we may never meet in person, yet it feels like we all know each other better than a lot of folks we actually know physically.

As far as dislikes, I don’t really have many. I guess when you run across a snobby fan or band that thinks their stuff doesn’t stink. That’s annoying, but that’s annoying in general. I guess my biggest beef is that the music we rave about is so under listened to in society and the people we are surrounded with day to day can care less and you cannot talk about stuff that is passionate to you with them in a day to day conversation as they just have no idea the kind of amazing rock is out there. They’d just assume let Sirius radio or the mainstream media tell them what is good.

What have been your favourite albums of 2016 so far.

Every year for the past 5 years or so seems to keep getting better. This year there are tons of albums I really love. Off the top of my head some of my favorites that had an immediate impact have been the new Limestone Whale, Bright Curse, Brimstone Coven, Gozu, BUS (Twin Earth), Lord Vapour, etc… The new Witchcraft album – Nucleus is outstanding. It took a while to grow, but what a piece of work.

I also have to mention the new Mudcrutch album. As a die-hard Tom Petty fan, I can’t get over how great the new record his original band put out. If you like Petty, you are doing a disservice by not getting that album. I could go on and on. There have been a ton of small name bands I’ve grabbed digitally on bandcamp without physical releases that have impressed me as well. Just go to my bandcamp page and check the roster. I don’t buy it if I don’t think it’s got something special.

What albums did I miss Steve? You know, you are pretty highly respected in the community as well for your taste in music.

OOTS - Nice try dude. You'll have to wait for my end of year list coming in December 2016.

Well Bucky. Thanks for doing this interview. Great catching up. Do you have any final words of wisdom you would like to share with us all.

Thank you for doing this Steve, is was my pleasure. It’s always great to talk about music with you. This is the first online interview I have really ever participated in. Hope I didn’t ramble on too much.

As far as wisdom, I don’t know if I’m qualified to answer that one. I’d say just have fun whether you’re in a band making music, a super fan listening and going to shows, a writer or reviewer, or a newcomer to the heavy underground scene. If it feels like you’re working too hard and getting stressed out then take a break and just listen to more heavy psychedelic blues.

Oh ya, don’t pigeon-hole yourself into one style or genre of music as there is just too much good stuff in all corners of the music world all at our fingertips. GET YOURSELF A BANDCAMP ACCOUNT, and if you want to know what I think about your band send me your link on bandcamp or a code (I do like codes). Take care Steve and keep up the good work. Buck09@hotmail.com

Haha, hopefully we can meet in person someday.

Words by Steve Howe and Bucky Brown

Thanks to Bucky for taking the time out in doing this interview.

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Wolf Counsel - Ironclad (Album Review)

Release date: September 23rd 2016. Label: Czar Of Crickets Productions. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Ironclad – Tracklisting

Pure as the Driven Snow

Ironclad

Shield Wall

The Everlasting Ride

Days Like Lost Dogs

When Steel Rains

Wolf Mountain

Band Members:

Ralf W. Garcia – Bass/Vocals

Reto Crola – Drums

André Mathieu – Guitars

Ralph Huber – Guitars

Review:

Swiss doom masters Wolf Counsel return with their second album Ironclad and as with their debut album Vol 1 the album is packed full of mournful energy and cast iron riffs. The bands high energy take on classic doom ala Candlemass and Cathedral is elevated here and they take the momentum of their well received debut album and build on it supremely on this album.

Ironclad is the sound of a band taking no prisoners and this fresh and bolstered line up of Wolf Counsel are bigger than ever. Whereas on their debut, it was band main-man Ralf Winzer Garcia who played all the instruments (apart from the guitars) and was pretty much a one man show, now he has a band of gifted musician behind him (and these new members who also play in Swiss death metallers Punish are on fine form here) who elevate the Wolf Counsel sound allowing him to concentrate on singing and his bass playing and this works well as his Wino-esque howl sounds even better on Ironclad.

Ironclad gets off to a roaring start with Pure As The Driven Snow, this opener being a compelling and mesmerising start to the doom laden proceedings with the song being driven by Garcia's strong vocal stylings.

The albums title track is up next and is dominated by a simple but very effective plunging riff that drives the song forth and a catchiness that is always nice to hear from doom merchants, this song is destined to become a live favourite in the future for sure, its chorus being belted out en-masse would be a very pleasing sound.

The likes of the pummelling Shield Wall (with Garcias nod to Tom G Warrior's Style death grunt getting the track started before his doomier vocals take over) and the commanding The Everlasting Ride prove that just as on their debut album, the riffs are on point but they have an even more mature songwriting ability this time around and this is shown off tremendously. The craft that has gone into these songs is as immense as the riffs.

Elsewhere on the album, the hypnotic doom of Days Like Lost Dog and the monstrous When Steel Rains take the classic Sabbath/Vitus templates and run with them, the latter especially is such a great example of a doom song throughout its entirety, it's whole vibe is doomed than thou.

Ironclad concludes with the anthemic Wolf Mountain and what a way to finish the album with a song as powerful as this. The drums sound like hammers battering the mountain of the title and the riffs will stay in your head for days while the singing is melodic and effective and the whole track is a perfect way to end.

Ironclad is the sound of Wolf Counsel reaching their potential very early in their career and it is clear from this album and its songs that they can only go even further up from here.

Words by Gavin Brown

Thanks to Frederyk at Czar of Crickets Productions for the promo. Ironclad will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Czar Of Crickets Productions from September 23^rd 2016.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Horehound - S/T (Album Review)

Release date: April 20th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Horehound – S/T – Tracklisting

1.World to Come 06:02

2.Sangreal 03:07

3.Crowns and Thrones 03:10

4.The Dead Don't Lie 06:13

5.Waters of Lethe 06:41

6.Myope 03:02

7.Waking Time 05:04

Band Members:

Brendan

JD

Mike

Shy

Wes

Review:

I first came across Horehound during my time on the Doom Charts as they're rated quite highly by my fellow colleagues in the Doom/Stoner Metal community I should have taken more notice of the band as their debut album is a terrific blend of Stoner, Doom and pure Heavy Metal riffs.

The album should appeal to the vast majority of fans within the Doom/Stoner Metal world as Horehound have written addictive riffs and the killer vocals from Shy give the band a more modern sound. Songs such as World To Come, Sangreal, The Dead Don't Lie and Waking Time are perhaps where the band show their true talent for great lyrics, haunting melodies and superb riffs.

I had a slight worrying feeling that Horehound would fall under the recent female led Occult Rock style of music. I'm kind of bored with that style of music as it's starting to sound the same. Thank the Doom Metal Gods that Horehound are more in the mould of Black Sabbath and Saint Vitus whilst still offering something fresh and vibrant at the same time.

The production is clear and crisp throughout the entire album. It's hard to believe that the band have only been going since 2015 as they sound they've been going for decades longer. Do yourself a favour and check out Horehound now. Their debut album is one that will have you coming back for more punishment. Awesome stuff.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp | Twitter