Cosmic Reaper - Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned (Album Review)

Release Date: September 26th 2025. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned - Tracklisting

1. Hammer

2. Bloodfeather

3. Pot Of Gold

4. Parasites

5. Dwelling

6. Perfect Organism

7. Bones

8. Waiting by the Gallows

Members

Thad Collis - Vocals / Guitar

Peter Snasdell - Guitar

Garrett Garlington - Bass

Jeremy Grobsmith - Drums

Review.

Doom/Stoner Metallers Cosmic Reaper return with their latest album Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned which sees the band become master practitioners of the Proto-Metal world with their sound playing homage to the likes of Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, Candlemass and Pentagram. What makes Cosmic Reaper standout is their foray into areas of Psych, Space and Cosmic pastures with certain elements of Alt Metal and Grunge to give their sound quite a destructive and distinctive quality.

This time round Cosmic Reaper performs with a mature storytelling aspect compared to their celebrated debut album with tales of horror and science fiction that allows the album to be quite fantastical and horror obsessive at the best possible moments. The lyrics have a real blood curling effect with Thad Collis vocals settling firmly into the role of Ringmaster and master storyteller all in one go.

The music itself is destructively heavy and downright gloomy with flashes of aggressive melodies with flashes of MONOLORD-esque FUZZY heaviness injected within the Proto-Doom surroundings of the superbly played opening tracks of Hammer, Bloodfeather and Pot Of Gold. Sludgy guitars can be felt more than ever that allows the excellent rhythm section of Garrett Garlington (Bass) and Jeremy Grobsmith (Drums) generate a pounding and intense Doom Metal ENGINE that really makes Cosmic Reaper actually tick and perform to the best of their musical abilities.

Thad also handles guitar duties along with newest member Peter Snasdell which gives the band a holier than thou METALLIC quality with down-tuned and suitably paced melodies combining for a record that’s ultimately perfect for the upcoming HALLOWEEN season. Cosmic Reaper have found a great balance of NWOBHM based vibes and influences on the other parts of the record that pushes the whole experience into one of SONIC and AUDIO manipulation with FUZZY and VIOLENT amplifier riffage dominating the musical journey on other standout tracks such as Parasites, Dwelling, Bones and Waiting By The Gallows. 

Cosmic Reaper always have an authentic creative energy to their music which allows the band to merge classic sounds of Seventies Heavy Metal  against Nineties Alt Metal/Stoner Metal that always leads to places you don’t initially expect. There’s excursions into areas of Blues Rock which adds a gritty undertone that fully transforms the backdrop of Cosmic/Spaced Out Doom into something with real human emotion.

Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned is an emotionally satisfying, thrilling and emotionally charged experience with dangerous LEVELS of FUZZ and GLOOMY instrumental passages that leaves a lasting impression long after the record has finished. 

Cosmic Reaper will no doubt make a bigger name for themselves with this truly outstanding record.

Words by Steve Howe

 

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Bleed The Wicked, Drown The Damned is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds.

Links

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The Dukes Of Hades - Oracle Of The Dead (EP Review)

Release Date: August 29th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Oracle Of The Dead  - Tracklisting

1.Seeds Of Oblivion 05:09

2.Last Rites 03:44

3.Pigs 05:14

4.Constant Grief 04:02

5.Tomahawk 08:00

6.Death Defying Heights 02:52

Members

Gareth Brunsdon - Drums,

Steve Lynch - Sub Octave Guitar/Vocals

Review.

Oracle Of The Dead is the debut EP from Sludge/Stoner Metallers The Dukes Of Hades that featuresGareth Brunsdon (Eternal - pre Electric Wizard), Spirmyard, Sludgefeast) and Steve Lynch (The Electric Shakes, Teaspoonriverneck, Burg & The Vagabond Choir) performing a heavy FUZZED up duo with subtle distorted overtones dictating the melodies and subtle grooves that appear throughout the EP. Helping along their creative journey is Sam Grant (PIGS X7) who helped with studio engineering duties.

This EP is influenced by the 90’s early Sludge and Stoner Metal scenes with aspects of Death ‘N’ Roll appearing in the background. The low & slow attitude of the band really comes to life very early on with influences wide across the musical globe appearing that allows The Dukes Of Hades to have a vibrant, brash, aggressive and wholly addictive sound that should appeal to fans of Electric Wizard, SOURVIEN, WEEDEATER and BONGZILLA. Add the likes of FU MANCHU and KYUSS then Oracle Of The Dead is full of subtle extended sludgy melodies and cool vocals delivered by Steve Lynch.

The six tracks that make up the EP captures the gritty undertone of the UK Sludge/Stoner Metal scene with the fast-paced aspects of the Swedish Doom Metal scene in certain aspects on tracks such as Seeds Of Oblivion, Pigs, Constant Grief and Tomahawk. The Dukes of Hades add a twinge of Blues Metal in different parts of the EP which gives the record a faster and heavier sound that makes you feel there are more members in the band other than Gareth and Steve. 

With a no-nonsense vibe to the production values, Oracle Of The Dead is quite a stacked EP with plenty of different Sludge/Stoner melodic passages which taps right into the classic UNDERGROUND vibe especially within the quieter parts of the EP. This allows The Dukes Of Hades to play a more intriguing style of music with perhaps Pigs and Tomahawk being the standout tracks on the EP.

You can easily see The Dukes Of Hades playing some cool musical festivals such as Desertfest and Stoomfest and whipping the audience into a frenzied state which is the whole vibe of the EP which does remind me of Orange Goblin back in the day.

Oracle Of The Dead is superbly entertaining that lasts under thirty minutes and ultimately leaves you wanting to hear more. The Dukes Of Hades have delivered a high amount of great riffs and sounds in such a compact release that I can’t recommend this EP highly enough. Do yourself a favour and check this great band out now. You won’t regret it!!!

Words by Steve Howe

 

Links

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Black Moon Cult - Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig) (Album Review)

Release Date: September 05th 2025. Record Label: Black Doomba Records. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig)  - Tracklisting

1.Moonchild Ritual 06:07

2.Supernova 05:12

3.Ophidian Future 08:06 video

4.Sunfish 04:40

5.At The Mountains of Madness 05:43

6.Stoned Ape 08:41

Members

Kaleb M. Riser - Vocals, Guitar, Synth, Electric Sitar

Kevin Lewis - Vocals, Bass, Keyboard, Pipe Organ

Jeff Vandebussche - Vocals, Drums, Percussion

Review

Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig) is the latest record from Black Moon Cult who throw every groove, sound, rhythm and melody from the Psych/Stoner Metal movement with this album running for over thirty eight minutes in length. However, the album feels twice as long with Black Moon Cult playing a wide array of different style of melodies with fantastical creative insight. That creative vision is brought to life even further with Prog Rock/Metal techniques being added throughout the album.

With a multitude of different instruments played by the three core members to almost pure perfection especially on the experimental parts of the record where things like Electric Sitar and Pipe Organ make an appearance. However, it’s also the traditional instrumental sounds that make up the majority of the heavy based melodies with intense grooves being overplayed against areas of destructive Fuzz, Cosmic Rock and Space Rock for a sound you don’t really come across that much.

The vocals are EPIC but also wonderfully WEIRD which sees all three members branch out into louder areas of Heavy Metal at the drop of a hat. To confuse matters is Black Moon Cult’s dramatic use of Middle Eastern Trippy Sound Effects which sees this record having a weird “KrautRock” attitude before switching into other areas of Mystical Heavy Metal.

With influences ranging from Black Sabbath, Monster Magnet, Hawkwind, Pink Floyd and KYUSS this never deters Black Moon Cult being their own band where they play their own highly original style of Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal with intense lyrics to match. There is a sense of weirdness appearing for all of the tracks but you can’t help be impressed by the band’s storytelling skills and the whole narrative of the record being completely BONKERS but also quite grounded at the same time on tracks such as: Moonchild Ritual, Supernova, Ophidian Future and Stoned Ape. 

Those tracks were the main standouts for myself as that’s where Black Moon Cult impress the most with their fearless playing and intense sludgy melodies that even had a “NO FUCKS GIVEN” attitude being added just for the sheer hell of it. Some may complain that Black Moon Cult are trying too hard here with the multitude of different styles that appear on the record and perhaps maybe play it safer. I’m grateful that Black Moon Cult feel brave and bold to release a wonderfully weird record like this for their debut album.

The band are aiming BIG with Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig) and it really does have a gigantic CINEMATIC quality which taps right into the classic heyday of 1970’s Hard Rock EXCESS but delivers this with a free-flowing modern day attitude which is where the REAL MAGIC happens. 

Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig) is delightfully weird and absolutely bonkers at the same time. However, it’s also a brilliantly entertaining record with Black Moon Cult delivering a highly anthemic and original sound of their own making.

Words by Steve Howe

 

Thanks to Metal Devastation Radio PR for the promo.

Ophidian Future (The Children of Yig) is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Black Doomba Records.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

At War With The Sun - Remembrance (EP Review)

Release Date: September 12th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Remembrance - Tracklisting

Remembrance

Become The Void

Members

Karl Bicknell - Bass

Alex Keen - Drums

Jon Weatherill - Guitar/Vocals

Review

Doom/Sludge Metallers At War With The Sun return with their new EP - Remembrance. This is a brutally heavy and slow paced affair with the band creating deliberate Droned Out passages which has a hidden Ambient underscore within the gloomy psychedelic movements the band conjure up throughout the two lengthy tracks that make up the record. This is bleak music with a purpose where At War With The Sun focus upon building up their musical surroundings with echoes of decaying filth and down-tuned grooves for the majority of the EP.

Imagine THOU and BONGRIPPER jamming with SUNN 0))) with the opening track of Remembrance having an excellent melodic aspect at times within the Psychedelic and Post-Doom aspects of the band’s music. At War With The Sun experiment with their Post-Metal aspect of their sound that evolves into an almost Post-Rock creative flow but there’s a sense of hidden darkness always emerging from the shadows. The harsh vocals from Jon Weatherill appear only when they’re needed but with a style that’s always violent, harsh and aggressive but delivered with real purpose.

Some folks may feel that not a lot happens within the seventeen minute plus runtime of Remembrance but this is a journey worth taking as At War With The Sun fully succeeds in portraying a bleak and aggressive track that’s full of emotional sorrow at the same time. The final five minutes of the track is where the band fully bring their riff-centric sound to the Doom/Sludge Metal vortex with long drawn out notes with a flash of Psychedelic Heaviness and Down Tuned Distorted beats being some of the best parts of the whole EP.

Second track Become The Void has a slight Ambient Post-Rock / Post-Doom opening which allows At War With The Sun to conjure up highly destructive Droned Out Doom sounds merged with a highly cautious style of Atmospheric Sludge. Once again, the band takes a less-is-more approach with the music being played at a very slow pace which only allows the listener to soak up the violent melodies once more.

The level of DISTORTED FUZZ is slightly more powerful compared to the opening track but the name of the game for this EP is “LOW & SLOW” which At War With The Sun pulls off with flying colours. Jon’s vocals once again provide a punishing ritual of SATANIC GROWLS that easily fits in with the Drone Metal surroundings that Alex Keen (Drums) and Karl Bicknall (Bass) create by providing a formidable rhythm section.

Remembrance is a startling and brutal EP to punish your senses throughout. This perhaps marks a turning point for At War With The Sun with this being their standout release to date which could even see them gain quite a considerable and loyal following within the UK Underground Metal Scene.

Words by Steve Howe

 

Thanks to Diaries Of Doom for the promo.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Old Deer deliver scathing mathcore, sludge & more on new album "Someone in the House", out November 7th

Following their crushing 2024 debut EP of sludge, noise, and mathcore “Something in the Water”, Colorado quartet Old Deer return with a vengeance, pushing their sound to new extremities with first full-length “Someone in the House”.

As the title suggests, there is danger within Old Deer’s latest work. An unpredictability of what new sonic violence lurks around the corner, be it the piercing saxophone hidden with “The Hatch”, or the pit-inducing madness and crush of “Take it All”.

Drawing from a wide swath of heavy sounds, the corners of “Someone in the House” hold notes of sludge, doom, and post-metal, woven into foundations of blistering mathcore, noise rock, and post-hardcore.

Chameleon vocalist Matt Conlee delivers harrowing, ear-shredding screams, weaponizing his vocal cords for visceral impact one moment before laying down deep, melodic cleans the next.

In similarly shape-shifting fashion, the guitars and drums reel between brutal hardcore pummel and dizzying, spidery progressions owing as much to jazz as to math and noise.

Old Deer have concocted a heady, frightening brew of dangerous sonics and ill intent on “Someone in the House”, and dare listeners to take refuge within. The LP drops November 7th, and first single “Maelstrom” will storm the gates on September 19th.

Old Deer - Someone in the House

Album out November 7th, 2025 Self-released (Digital, CD)
Denver, Colorado
FFO: Botch, Chat Pile, Kowloon Walled City, Zao

Tracklist:

1. 2eizure 2alad (0:19)
2. The Hatch (5:00)
3. Still so Still (2:35)
4. Take it All (2:40)
5. Astrid (0:49)
6. Someone in the House (8:10)
7. Maelstrom (3:36)
8. 4507 (12:40)

Old Deer is:

Matt - Guitar, Vocals
Josh - Bass
Tyler - Guitar

Adam - Drums

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Thanks to Good Boy PR for the details.

Polly - Death Drive (Single Review)

Release Date: September 08th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Death Drive - Tracklisting

Death Drive 

Members

Tina P, Tom P and Alex B.

Review

Death Drive is the new single from Psych/Stoner Rockers Polly which is from their upcoming new album of the same name due out for release on 22nd September 2025. What we have here is a song that explores areas of Psych, Doom, Stoner Rock and Proto-Metal surroundings. Death Drive starts off cautiously and slow paced with Polly delicately building the levels of Stoner Rock passages that transform into a gloomier driven sound.

Polly primarily uses the Seventies Rock & Roll template to create their music with flashes of other eras of Psych Rock with fragmented use of modern Doom/Stoner Rock grooves. The vocals are part of the Proto-Doom world with flashes of Occult Rock interacting with the subtle Instrumental grooves that merge Sludge Rock screeching guitars and COSMIC themes for a more aggressive style of music for the second half of the track.

The end result is a twisted ride into the Proto-Doom/Stoner Metal vortex with flashes of subtle Blues and Psych Rock distorted melodies that leaves you wanting more once the eight minutes runtime is finally up. If the rest of the upcoming Death Drive album follows this the same musical path as the title track then Polly should have no trouble gaining quite a cult following within the underground scene. 

Words by Steve Howe

 

Links

BandCamp | Instagram

GODZILLA WAS TOO DRUNK TO DESTROY TOKYO - Sideral Voivod (Album Review)

Release Date: September 19th 2025. Record Label:  Octopus Risings. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Sideral Voivod - Tracklisting

Interstellar Greyhound

Icarus

Sideral Voivod

Sasquatch's Eyes

Ouija Witch

Telekinetic Thunder Yeti

King Bong

Prelude

Whale

Space Leech

Worship the Middle

Stomp

Summer in the Void

Members

Sara de Luca

Nicola Viola

Alessandro “Camu” Camurati 

Review

Sideral Voivod is the latest SONIC expedition from GODZILLA WAS TOO DRUNK TO DESTROY TOKYO. The record is a sludgy mix of Psych, Fuzz, Grunge, Noise and Stoner Metal with a subtle nineties Alt-Metal charge leading into some unexpected levels of distorted heaviness. The band adds an abrasive and sonic inducing level of raw aggression into the overall feel and sound of the record which leads into some catchy and fucked up heavy grooves.

The influences of L7, The Melvins, FU MANCHU and Acid King can most definitely be felt and heard with GODZILLA WAS TOO DRUNK TO DESTROY TOKYO applying their own blend of GONZO and HIPSTER based melodies throughout the album. The end result can be quite experimental in the most unexpected of places but doesn’t stop the band playing superbly interesting grooves with that Garage Rock attitude being played very early on within tracks such as Interstellar Greyhound, Icarus and Sideral Voivod. Sometimes the levels of distorted FUZZ Rock drown out the excellent vocals but maybe that’s the point to keep up with the “DESTROY TOKYO” aspect of the band’s name with a violent musical effect developing for the majority of the album.

The album transforms into one of Cosmic Doom landscapes merged with Psych Sludge Rock passages that allows the band to have some wicked fun within the whole album. There’s some freakish extended instrumental passages that have a wicked deviance into JAM Based rock soundscapes with that classic Noise / Grunge aesthetic creating the heaviest and most riff-centric parts of the whole album.

The LO-FI and SEEDY delivery of the record is demonstrated even further on tracks such as Telekinetic Yeti Thunder, King Bong, Space Leech, Worship The Middle and Summer In The Void with elements of MONSTER MAGNET appearing quite suddenly but with GODZILLA WAS TOO DRUNK TO DESTROY TOKYO providing their own creative stamp of PSYCHEDELIC HEAVINESS and OUT OF THIS WORLD WEIRDNESS.

Sideral Voivod does allow the band to perform a wide array of different Sludge/Stoner Rock styles throughout the thirteen tracks contained on the album but told with a mesmerizing down-tuned and amplifier distorted approach. If you love where the AMPS are played at dangerous levels with the band never losing their Psychedelic and Cosmic attitude then this is the place to be. Truth be told, Sideral Voivod has a nightmarish element when the band plays a faster and more violent style of music which may leave you gasping for breath in places.

The record is never boring with GODZILLA WAS TOO DRUNK TO DESTROY TOKYO adding a fresh and unique perspective within their hybrid style of HEAVY RAWK that not only reaches for the STARS but absolutely destroys everything within its wake.

SIderal Voivod is FUCKING AWESOME. Plain and Simple!!! 

Words by Steve Howe

 

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the promo.

Sideral Voivod is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Octopus Rising (Argonauta Records Imprint).

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram