Negative Wall - Gammagelu (EP Review)

Release date: February 8th 2019. Label: Black Doomba Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Gammagelu – Tracklisting

1.Imperii Exsules (Galactic Viatores) 08:24

2.Hybrid Genus Serpentis 07:02

3.Mater Saeva Kp22 06:35

4.Torquemada 71 06:03

Members

Don Cole (guitar, vox)

Dennis Reid (drums, vox)

Tommy Stewart (bass, vox)

Review

It’s taken me a while to listen and fully appreciate the new EP from Doom/Stoner Metallers Negative Wall and I can only apologize to the band for the lateness of my review. Gammagelu is a stunning psychedelic music odyssey through the past 40 years or so of Doom Metal, Stoner Metal, Heavy Metal and everything in between.

The EP is a complex sounding and highly progressive release that owes a huge debt of thanks to the legendary 70s Doom Metal/Heavy Metal scene as Negative Wall play a vast array off different sounds and riffs from that classic era.

One of the main things that standout for Negative Wall is the individuals who make up this highly talented and Psychedelic dwelling DOOM UNIT. As the band have Tommy Stewart and Dennis Reid in their ranks. Members of such bands of Bludy Gyres and Tommy Stewart's Dyerwulf. They are joined by Don Cale on guitar for this band and they make an almighty and heavenly racket.

The record is perhaps inspired mostly by Hawkwind, Black Sabbath and Saint Vitus. Though, Negative Wall tend to lean more on the Psychedelic Stoner Metal side of life especially on the excellent opening song - Imperii Exsules (Galactic Viatores) – which contains some of the heaviest and trippiest vibes on the entire record.

Gammagelu can be quite dark and complex at times but Negative Wall thrive on creating a bleak sounding atmosphere as their music needs that hidden depth of darkness for everything to work. The vocals which all 3 members provide is simply superb especially when the more mellow moments appear most importantly on the standout song of the EP – Hybrid Genius Serpents.

The song starts off quite slowly with a Post-Rock/Post-Doom ambient style riff before the band add a modern sounding Stoner Metal groove that has an air of intelligence around it all. The second half of the record sees Negative Wall draw influences from ELECTRIC WIZARD and ALICE IN CHAINS with their down-tempo and distorted guitars adding a more violent presence to their music. The band have even included a cover of Electric Wizard classic - Torquemada 71.

This cover is more rough and in your face compared to the original but it does work and it’s quite a cool cover to end the record with.

Gammagelu is a wildly exciting debut record for Negative Wall to come out with. The production isn’t the best but it allows Negative Wall to get straight down to business and show the world what they’re all about. I want to hear more from these guys and I’m hoping a full length album isn’t too far behind.

If you haven’t heard Negative Wall before then I urge you to check Gammagelu now. As this is a KICK-ASS RECORD through and through.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

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GORILLA - Treecreeper (Album Review)

Release date: June 21st 2019. Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Treecreeper – Tracklisting

1. Scum Of The Earth

2. Cyclops

3. Gorilla Time Rock n Roll

4. Treecreeper

5. Mad Dog

6. Ringo Dingo

7. Terror Trip

8. Last In Line

9. Killer Gorilla

Members

Johnny Gorilla - Guitar and Vocals

Sarah Jane - Bass

Ryan Matthews - Drums

Review

UK Stoner Rock/Metal trio GORILLA make a welcome return with their new album Treecreeper which is their first album since 2007 and it’s good to have them back . You may not know much about GORILLA but they’ve been going strong since the 1990s and were part of the original Stoner Rock/Metal wave that appeared in the UK scene back in the day.

GORILLA have graced many famous stages since then and supported and appeared with legendary artists such as: Fu Manchu, Nebula, Colour Haze, Orange Goblin, Bang, Firebird, Hawkwind, The Groundhogs , Leafhound, The Heads, Blue Cheer and many others.

Treecreeper is a Stoner Rock/Metal album at heart but one that pulls in sounds from different genres such as Psych Rock, Fuzz Rock, Classic Rock and Heavy Metal with a twinge of Doom Rock to give GORILLA an unflinching and unapologetic edge. The 9 songs contained on the album are packed full of infectious grooves and soaring melodies with a Punk Rock sensibility. The band try some new sounds on certain parts of the album.

The opening two songs – Scum Of The Earth and Cyclops – show you what GORILLA is all about. Lo-fi and heavy Stoner Rock riffs that have a certain “Motorhead” charm to them. The second song – Cyclops – contains a lush psychedelic vibe that I haven’t heard the band perform before. It’s a cool sounding song that packs an almighty punch when the band switch gears and play a more threatening Doom/Stoner Metal sound.

I don’t want to do a song by song review as the album is best listened to in one full go. GORILLA have pulled out all of the stops with this album as Treecreeper instantly draws you in with it’s soaring melodies and classic Hard Rock/Metal sounds.

Other great songs to check out are: Gorilla Time Rock N Roll, Treecreeper, Mad Dog and Last In Line. Even though Treecreeper has a vintage and lo-fi sound, the album is still superbly produced and matches the dirty sound that GORILLA are known for.

If you’re new to the world of GORILLA then Treecreeper is the best place to start. As it’s their most exciting album they’ve released yet. It’s a shame it’s taken 12 years for the band to release but good things come to those who wait.

Treecreeper is packed full of epic jams that will please even the most jaded of Stoner Rock/Metal fans.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. Treecreeper will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from Friday June 21^st 2019.

Links:

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El Supremo - Clarity Through Distortion (Album Review)

Release date: June 14^th 2019. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Clarity Through Distortion – Tracklisting

1.Intro 02:07

2.Sea of Ruin 06:06

3.Moanin' and Groanin' 10:00

4.Supercell 14:40

5.Julius Pleaser (Rides Again) 06:04

6.Ultimate Dropout 04:32

7.Lotus Throne 10:39

8.Outro 03:06

Members

Chad Heille - drums

Neal Stein - guitar

Chris Gould - keys

Cam Dewald - bass

Review

El Supremo features Chad Helle and Neal Stein within their ranks and they used to be part of sadly missed Doom/Stoner Metal collective EGYPT who sadly called it quits last year.

El Supremo are an Instrumental Rock/Metal band who fuse Psych Rock, Stoner Rock, Doom, Space Rock against a heavy Blues Rock atmosphere. The album runs for almost an hour and the band create their own heavy style of Doom/Stoner Rock. The album does take a few songs to fully understand and appreciate. As the album has many different things going on at the same time especially on songs such as: Sea Of Ruin and Moanin' and Groanin' .

Some of the songs run past the ten-minute mark with one of the songs hitting fifteen minutes in length. So it’s good to see El Supremo playing a more vivid and progressive style of music compared to other instrumental bands within the Stoner Rock/Metal scene.

The album has a free flowing attitude that embraces the legendary sounds of the 60s Psychedelic Rock scene that soon gives way to heavier style of 70s Doom based Rock/Metal. El Supremo enjoy playing a more “Jam” based sound on certain parts of the album and that’s where the band really find their own groovy sound. The instrumental work is excellent throughout and you can hear echoes of EGYPT when the heavier and spaced out moments are played.

The best parts of the album are perhaps all contained on the lengthier tracks such as Moanin' and Groanin' Supercell and Lotus Throne. As, El Supremo have time on their side to create more complex rhythms and melodies that become heavy and intense in places. Though the other songs held on the album are still mighty impressive in their own right with Sea Of Ruin and Ultimate Dropout being two of my favourite songs held on the album.

The production is superb and quite stylish especially when El Supremo slow the mood right down and play a more stripped back style of Stoner Rock/Metal. Clarity Through Distortion is quite a rebellious album and I didn’t expect that at all. Look at some of the song titles to see what I’m talking about.

The album maybe slightly too long for its own good. However, El Supremo have still managed to release an exciting and action packed album that will appeal to anyone who is a fan of Stoner Rock/Metal music.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

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Slow Order - Eternal Fire (Album Review)

Release date: June 14th 2019. Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD

Eternal Fire – Tracklisting

01. Eternal Fire

02. Obsessive Tale

03. Serpent’s Son

04. Eclipse

05. Kanavar

06. The Hunter

07. Starweed

08. Black Mass

Members

Minoz

Robby

Ale

Review

Slow Order new album Eternal Fire is one that sees the band draw influence from instrumental rock/metal bands such as Pelican and Karma To Burn. This allows the band to embrace the complexities of Post Rock/Post Metal with the riff driven style of Desert Rock and Stoner Metal. The album is quite a confident ride from start to finish with Slow Order playing a progressive style of Instrumental Rock/Music.

The songs contained on the album are quite different to each with Slow Order allowing the listener to draw their own conclusions on what style or genre of music they fall under. Slow Order add elements of Psychedelic Rock and Ambient Metal to their music and not in the way you possibly expect. The album can be very progressive but still maintain a cool easy-going and addictive charm.

The first few songs on the album – Eternal Fire, Obsessive Tale and Serpent’s Son – allows Slow Order to create a creepy Doom based vibe with the Post Metal/Stoner Metal influences holding everything together. The band slowly start to play a more menacing style of music especially on Serpent’s Son as the music becomes that little bit more threatening and with a sense of purpose as well. The sludgy Post-Metal grooves make themselves known as Slow Order create a more direct sound. The ambient textures soon build up to an exciting finish.

Fourth song – Eclipse – is an Ambient based Post-Rock song with elements of gloomy sounding Desert Rock that’s quite a stark contrast to the other songs held on the album.

The second half of the album sees Slow Order add a more distinctive Sludge Metal groove to their overall sound and even seeing Thrash based drums appearing on certain parts of the album. Check out the heavy and thunderous drumming on Kanavar. Immense and extremely powerful.

Eternal Fire is an album that has a lot going for it and is no doubt an exciting wild ride into the realms of Post Metal and Stoner Metal. The production is excellent and it allows to the different genres to sound very different to each other. If you’re a fan of Pelican and Karma To Burn, then Slow Order is where you need to be at. As this album embraces the different worlds those two legendary bands operate in and Slow Order will leave you wanting more.

Excellent and Highly Recommended

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mona at All Noir PR for the promo. Eternal Fire is available to buy on CD/DD now via Argonauta Records.

Links:

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Eternal Black - Slow Burn Suicide (Album Review)

Release date: June 13th 2019. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Slow Burn Suicide – Tracklisting

1.All These Things Destroy You... 01:21

2.Lost in the Fade 06:34

3.Below 04:42

4.The Ghost 05:21

5.Sum of All Fears 04:53

6.A Desert of No Name 05:13

7.Three Fates 02:54

8.Sinners, Saints, and Madmen 04:36

9.All These Things (Slight Return) 02:22

Members

Hal Miller: Bass,

Joe Wood: Drums,

Ken Wohlrob: Guitars, Vocals

Review

Greetings All,

Old school doom, I’m a sucker for it. Simple and classic, massive low end, monstrous drums, and big, down tuned riffs can make the emptiest of souls feel a little warm and fuzzy inside. With their second album, Slow Burn Suicide, Brooklyn, New York's Eternal Black deliver old school doom in spades. The band most definitely carries their inspiration on their sleeves, you can hear the sounds of Saint Vitus throughout the record as the bands massive sound and growled, dark lyrics plunge deep into the heart and soul of the listener. While the style is old school, the sound is impressive, the record is impressively recorded and played with precision and a style all their own.

The record opens with All These Things Destroy You, a brief, doom filled, reverb laden instrumental that sets the mood for what is to come. Lost in the Fade is a classic riff heavy, massive drum filled rock track. Below follows with a killer groove and tons of swagger.

The Ghost keeps the darkness alive with a pummelling riff and a raging, face melting solo. An ominous tone brings in the heavy Sum Of All Fears. The band brings the fuzz to kick out the desert flavoured jam on A Desert Of No Name with a drum driven breakdown. The sombre, acoustic Three Fates soothes the soul a bit with an echo sound and buried distortion before giving way to Sinners, Saints, and Madmen. This plodding track kicks in with some serious, wah heavy riffage. The album closes almost as it began with All These Things Destroy You (slight return) bringing the dark, intense journey full circle.

Slow Burn Suicide is a testament to old school doom and the mighty power that it delivers. If you dig Saint Vitus, Orange Goblin, or the like, you definitely need to check out Eternal Black. They are worthy carriers of the torch for all things Doom. Dig on it!

- Todd S - Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou

Words by Todd Stealey

Links:

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All Monsters - S/T (Album Review)

Release date: April 30th 2019. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

All Monsters – Tracklisting

1.Social Battery 03:24

2.Preoccupation 02:04

3.Loophole 03:38

4.January 03:09

5.Optimize 04:18

6.Deadpan 02:48

7.Monster 04:41

Members

All music, voice, production and engineering by All Monsters

Review

Greetings All,

Earlier this year I came across an interesting black metal demo from a band called Vide. I found this band to be an extremely prolific individual from Texas/Louisiana. The man who is Vide has at least 5 different projects in motion at any given time. One of those projects really snagged my ear. That being his self described Black n Roll project All Monsters. This self titled record takes an intriguing approach of mixing black metal vocals and guitars and mixing them up with pieces of indie and alternative rock.

Social Battery opens the record with an old school punk rock feel. Preoccupation kicks in brutal blackened screams over a mid tempo indie rock guitar riff and driving drum beat. A mid 90’s indie rock groove intertwined with distant guttural screams gives Loophole an unsettling charm.

January is reminiscent of what The Replacements or late 80’s REM may have sounded like if only they had listened to heavy metal and not Big Star. Some dissonant indie rock guitar work drives the stellar Optimize. A mellow, clean guitar and straight forward drum beat open the intense Deadpan that explodes with fierce blackened screams that give the song an alluring off kilter feel. The record closes with the massive guitar sound and uptempo driving drums of  Monster that mixes in an almost detached set of vocals and some Sonic Youth inspired guitar work. A fitting close to an intense debut.

All Monsters presents an intriguing, lo-fi piece of killer rock. This is indeed Black N Roll, I am a fan and am super psyched to hear what Vide and all his projects has in store for us in the future. Do yourself a favor and Dig on this one! 

- Todd S - Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou

Words by Todd Stealey

Links:

Official | BandCamp

BEASTWARS - IV (Album Review)

Release date: June 28th 2019. Label: Destroy Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

IV – Tracklisting

1.Raise the Sword 06:27

2.Wolves and Prey

3.Storms of Mars

4.This Mortal Decay

5.Omens 05:41

6.Sound of the Grave

7.The Traveller

8.Like Dried Blood

Members

Matthew Hyde - Vocals
Clayton Anderson - Guitar
James Woods - Bass
Nathan Hickey - Drums

Review

Truth be told I never expected to see the return of Beastwars. Especially after their last album – The Death Of All Things and Matt (Lead Singer) announcing back then he was battling Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Thankfully, Matt has fought his way back to health and is now in remission.

The Death Of All Things was more subdued compared to their earlier albums and felt like a farewell letter from the band to their fans. The album was a very moving and deeply emotional album. Though it still felt the band had unfinished business to take care of that was left unresolved with The Death Of All Things.

Fast forward three years and Beastwars are now ready to make their return to the Sludge/Stoner Metal world they left behind with their epic new album IV. This album is based upon the experiences Matt went through battling this terrible disease and it makes for a deeply unflinching album to listen to at times. You can hear Matt facing his worst fears on this album and the unflinching lyrics cuts right to the bone on the majority of the songs.

However, the album has its fair share of uplifting moments as well. As Beastwars embrace the fact that Matt is still here and this album is a testament to Matt’s humanity and strength.

You can expect to hear a more emotional and darker style of music from the band. It’s more progressive with Beastwars embracing their more Doom based sound. If you’re a fan of Beastwars first two albums, then IV sees the band return to that heavy Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal sound they made their name with.

The album opens with the troubling and deeply emotional sounds of – Raise The Sword. Matt’s vocals return with an angry growl. Perhaps some of the angriest and sombre vocals he’s ever recorded. The lyrics are highly powerful and quite potent towards the end of the song. Matt draws upon his recent experiences with this song whilst the rest of the band create some epic progressive riffs to build the song upon.

Second song – Wolves and Prey – carries on the dark progressive themes of the opening song but starts adding a more hopeful psychedelic sound that will appear more frequently towards the end of the album. Beastwars start to sound like their old selves on this song and it’s a brilliant experience to fully listen to.

Third song – Storms Of Mars – sees Beastwars adding a familiar “sci-fi” vibe heard from their earlier albums but Matt’s vocals and lyrics keeps everything grounded and I will admit when Matt starts singing about not seeing his child growing up I broke down. This is the most powerful and emotional song contained on the album and you can feel the emotional intensity that Matt is singing about on this album. The music is first rate with Beastwars creating a truly progressive sound.

Fourth song – This Mortal Decay – is one of my favourite songs on the album as Beastwars start to play a more hopeful sound with trippy psychedelic riffs that leave you wanting more. The song is more Doom based compared to other songs but Beastwars have always been good at merging different genres and still sound vastly different to other Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal bands.

Fifth song – Omens – starts very slowly but with a more laid-back and heavier sound before settling down into a low-key rhythm. Matt’s vocals yet again take centre stage with the riffs building a soulful and hypnotic platform for the whole band to come together and build a more hopeful environment for the album to flourish.

The remainder of the album carries on the sombre, bleak and ultimately hopeful mood with the final three songs – Sound Of The Grave, The Traveller and Dried Like Blood – that perfectly captures the intense and emotional journey that Beastwars have undertaken over the last three years.

Beastwars have delivered their best album to date and one of the best albums of the year with IV. IV acts as a celebration of what everything Beastwars have accomplished in their careers so far. The album is a triumphant return for one of the best bands currently within the scene and it’s great to have Beastwars back playing their most uncompromising and unapologetic music they’ve released so far.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Richard at Sheltered Life PR for the promo. IV will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Destroy Records from June 28^th 2019.

Links:

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