Groom The Giant - Old Toby (EP Review)

Release Date: September 05th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Old Toby - Tracklisting

1.Old Toby 04:24

2.Megawatts 07:11

3.Wyrms 04:23

4.Pissjazz 07:30

Review.

Old Toby is the latest EP from Psych/Grunge/Stoner Rockers Groom The Giant. I remember listening to the band’s excellent debut EP Culhwch which focused on Celtric folklore and heavy myths with a deep fantastical sense of wonderful mystery. The band keep with that theme on their excellent new EP where they advise the record is about: 

“Celtic heritage and magical fiction into a format of loud, danceable grunge; with songs inspired by the plagues of King Lludd (from where the Welsh flag gets its iconic red dragon) and explorations of omnipotence, to tributes to Gandalf's favourite tobacco.”

What makes Groom The Giant stand out is their grounded sound that’s boosted by elements of Grunge and Sludge with a heavy pounding Psychedelic effort. This highly polished and aggressive sound is perfectly captured through the stunning opening track Old Toby. Though, this is offset by fantastical lyrics with a huge WEEDIAN influence especially if writing songs about Gandalf’s favourite tobacco. 

The music is always quite aggressive with catchy instrumental passages which moves from 1990’s Grunge/Stoner Rock surroundings to the more modern day Psychedelic Rock fused with heavy Sludgy Rock grooves.

The music can be quite dark in places with levels of distorted FUZZ and scorched Desert Earth melodies which fully come along within the second standout track of Megawatts which is perhaps a slight homage to Back To The Future. The song opens with a long drawn out Post-Stoner / Post-Grunge sound that develops into a Psychedelic/Fuzz/Doomgaze landscape which feels inspired by TRUCKFIGHTERS in all the right places. The song is played at a superbly realized slow-to-mid pace with Groom The Giant adding more levels of distorted FUZZ and Psychedelic energy which fully crosses over into Doom Metal pastures. 

Third track Wyrms turns the EP on its head with a weird Piano instrumental beat that pushes the record into Soft Rock/Jazz territories which does show a deep love and respect for FAITH NO MORE. If you ever wanted to hear FAITH NO MORE become a Doom/Stoner Rock obsessed band then this is the best way to describe that track. It’s wonderfully surreal that shouldn’t really work but Groom The Giant add an unexpected Doomed Out twist to the final stages of the track.

The final track of Pissjazz is back to the long drawn out instrumental surroundings of the second track but with some wickedly dark humour being injected into the overall mix of someone actually having a “PISS”. I kid you not before Groom The Giant fully settle back into their heavy FUZZED OUT and STONED AGE creative world. They merge Jazzy soundscapes yet again but it’s the Psychedelic Weeidan flavours washed out by classic Grunge riffs that make this another standout track of the record.

Old Toby is completely off-beat, brilliantly surreal and has a wonderful MONTY PYTHON based madness to it all. If that sounds like it’s the EP for you then I can’t highly recommend this outrageous EP enough. 

Superb. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

 

Links

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GOATMILKER - GOATMILKER (Album Review)

Release Date: September 16th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

GOATMILKER - Tracklisting

Mission Log 1601

Devils On My Tail

Drawing Near

Tearing Apart

Black Grass

Mountains

Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

Storm

Members

Lars Godal – Guitar

Mathias Lieberknecht– Bass/Vocals

Petter Ramberg – Drums

Vegard Lindtveit – Guitar/Lead Vocals

Review.

GOATMILKER’s self-titled debut album is an interesting mix of Doom, Sludge, Stoner and Prog Metal that’s topped off with a level of Psychedelic weirdness that leads into some unexpected chaos along the way. The band are inspired by the likes of Mastodon, Black Sabbath, Cave In, Kvelertak and Slayer in which the listener is treated to within certain aspects throughout the album. 

You have to admire the band’s dedication of not playing safe at all with the different style of Rock and Metal that GOATMILKER have at their disposal. Even the vocals from lead vocalist Vegard Lindtveit can be quite operatic and way over the top but all done in the best possible way. You’re treated to a whole sense of creative madness and warped melodies on the excellent opening track Mission Log 1601. 

The song delves into full on Prog Metal territory before interacting with other HEAVY ROCK genres for a sound that’s quite complex and technical from the start. Imagine Cave In jamming with Mastodon before going absolutely bat-shit MATHCORE crazy and then settling on a dynamic Sludge Rock sound. GOATMILKER continues with that style of music for the remainder of the album but still adding different ideas, grooves and flashy instrumental passages to keep everything surreal that only adds to the magic of the whole album.

The second track Devils On My Tail offers a more dramatic flair with GOATMILKER perhaps being a bit subdued compared to the opening track. As this allows the band to push the creative envelope even further with jagged rhythms and progressive melodies having a certain JAZZ based approach to them. Fans of Between The Buried And Me may recognise certain musical structures here and there but GOATMILKER are always thinking ahead of how to put their own identity into the record which they do to great effect.

GOATMILKER then really go way over the top on tracks such as Tearing Apart, Black Glass, Mountains and Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) with the band fully leaning into a heavier and fantastical style of HEAVY METAL with elements of Thrash, Speed Metal and Groove Metal dominate the musical landscape.

However, the music is so damn catchy and highly addictive which is where I can definitely see the KVELERTAK influence finally starting to emerge. The lyrics are great for the most part but with perhaps a few instances where they don’t match the atmosphere of the intense fast paced grooves.

This is most definitely an EXPERIMENTAL record with GOATMILKER throwing everything into a melting pot with flashes of classic TWIN GUITARS based action making an appearance. This record manages to perfectly capture the more offbeat side of HEAVY METAL from almost every sub-genre possible but giving it a modern day Sludge/Stoner Metal twist.

I will admit it did take me a few listens to fully appreciate the record as it goes into many different directions with each individual song. However, it’s GOATMILKER’s highly engaging vocal performances and bloody sheer determination to play through as many as different genres possible that make this record such a resounding success.

The whole of GOATMILKER deserve credit as they bring their “A” game to this album which makes this an offbeat and brilliantly surreal record that’s full of absolute bangers from start to finish.

This is a must have record. Add it to your collection. You won’t be sorry!!!

Words by Steve Howe

You can buy the album here - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/goatmilker/goatmilker

 

Links

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Gnarwhal - Circuits (Single Review)

Release Date: September 10th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Circuits - Tracklisting

Circuits

Members

Mark Kilbride (vocals)

Benji Straker (guitar and vocals)

Jeremy Straker (bass and vocals)

Layne Rybchinski (drums and percussion)

Review.

Circuits is the latest single from powerhouse Sludge/Stoner Metallers Gnarwhal that is from their upcoming new album due for release in March 2026. The record is a decidedly more progressive song compared to their previous releases. This song is boosted by epic Progressive Sludge sounds with air of Post-Stoner heaviness with the added layers of trippy Psychedelic melodies. Gnarwhal fuses Post-Rock, Doomgaze and Ambient vibes into the backdrop of distorted FUZZY passages. 

There are elements of bands such as BARONESS, MASTODON and YOB spliced into the mix but GNARWHAL still conjure up their own highly powerful and wonderfully polished sound. The vocals are EPIC with a clean, clear and crisp performance by lead vocalist Mark Kilbride. There’s a haunting Alt Metal presence within Mark’s vocals with the rest of the band conjuring up intense Sludge/Stoner grooves that have a subtle riff-centric approach.

On this evidence alone, Gnarwhal have genuinely made me excited to hear their upcoming full length album which could endear them even further to the Sludge/Stoner Metal underground community.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

 

Links

http://gnarwhalband.com

http://facebook.com/gnarmusic
http://instagram.com/gnarwhalsounds
https://gnarwhalband.bandcamp.com

Exclusive Album Premiere Of Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers APPALOOZA Stunning New Album THE EMPIRE OF LOSS

French heavy rock powerhouse Appalooza release their epic new album "The Emperor of Loss" on September 12th via Ripple Music and we have the exclusive album premiere thanks to the amazing folks over at Purple Sage PR and Ripple Music.

The Lowdown

"The Emperor of Loss" is a wall of sound that raucously fuses stoner rock, grunge rock, metal and tribalism, all propelled by magnetic baritone vocals (as seen in their latest Magnolia video). This gut-wrenching concept album explores the psychological depths of emotional captivity, domestic violence, and the mourning of one's identity. It portrays the torturous journey of a woman grappling with Stockholm Syndrome, caught in the grip of her persecutor, a figure both tyrannical and deeply internal. A fire-driven rock journey and their darkest album to date."

APPALOOZA links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify

RIPPLE MUSIC links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Pre-order: https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-emperor-of-loss

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the details.

UK Heavy Psychedelic Rockers LACERTILIA to release new album "Transcend" on Majestic Mountain Records this fall.

Cardiff-based heavy psych torchbearers LACERTILIA return after five years with their anticipated third studio album "Transcend", due out on October 24th through Swedish powerhouse Majestic Mountain Records. Stream their brand new single and video for "The Sun Is The Key" now!

Watch Lacertilia's new video The Sun Is The Key below + listen to the single on Bandcamp

Lacertilia stand out as a fearless blend of psychedelic soul and heavy riff warfare, rooted in their Welsh stoner rock identity but unafraid to draw from cosmic textures, primal energy, and punk-inspired vigour. A powerhouse live act, they have leveled stages from Desertfest London to Hellfest in France, converting audiences at every stop.

Their sonic evolution culminates in their forthcoming third album and Majestic Mountain Records debut "Transcend", which sees the five-piece refining their explosive sound, merging the massive riffs and spacey explorations they are revered for with darker, more intricate textures of folk, prog and post-rock. The result is a heavier, more dynamic listen that charts a course through themes of profound personal growth and transformation, grappling with the nature of reality, existential dread, the breakdown of relationships, and the future of mankind.

Their new single "The Sun Is The Key" is a pagan space rock epic that soars with cosmic energy, connecting themes of higher consciousness, mysticism and ancient spiritual practices. Lacertilia worked with filmmaker Ren Faulkner to capture a ritual sunrise performance in the Welsh Mountains during Summer Solstice '25.

New album "Transcend" - Out October 24th on Majestic Mountain Records (LP/CD/digital)

TRACKLIST:

1. Archaic Oscillations
2. We Go Here
3. Listen Close
4. Over & Out
5. Nothing's Sacred
6. Transcending
7. Deviate From The Plan
8. Weird Scenes
9. Cerulean Sky
10. The Sun Is The Key

For the past decade, Cardiff’s Lacertilia has been a formidable force in the UK's heavy psychedelic sphere, forging a reputation as purveyors of high-energy, cosmic rock. They have seamlessly bridged the worlds of underground punk, metal, and stoner rock, delivering their high-energy cosmic sermons everywhere from DIY stages to hallowed European festival grounds like Hellfest in France, Freak Valley in Germany, Desertfest London and their biggest headline show to date: the 10th anniversary show in Cardiff in 2024.

Their recorded journey maps this evolution: from the explosive arrival of their 2015 debut EP "Crashing Into The Future" through their 2016 LP "We’re Already Inside Your Mind" and the raw power of the "Live at Hellfest" EP, to the lockdown-forged introspection of their 2020 sophomore album, "Calling The Quarters".

This journey culminates in their third and most ambitious album to date, "Transcend", coming out in October 2025 through Sweden's esteemed label Majestic Mountain Records. "Transcend" is the culmination of a decade of growth — a mind-altering sonic statement from one of the UK’s most compelling underground rock acts.

Lacertilia is

Matt Fry – Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Lucas Zalunski – Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Michael Young-Temple – Electric Guitar, Djembe
Ed Hughes – Bass
Carl Richards – Drums

Lacertilia links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube

Majestic Mountain Records links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

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

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | Spotify

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

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram