Release
date: July 15th 2016. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Lost
Ritual – Tracklisting
Bring
Out Your Dead
Halfway
To Hell
Motörhead
Evil
Or Mental
Ten
Of Swords
Dogshit
Blues
Hangman
Shit
Outta Luck
Coming
Home
Unleash
The Serpent
Band
Members:
John
Loughlin - vocals
Frank
Regan - vocals
Jim
Palmer - guitar
Jamie
Thompson - guitar
Dave
Thompson - bass
Gordon
Morrison - drums
Review:
RAGING
FUCKING SPEEDHORN ARE BACK!!!!!
Or
in other words listening to this transports me back to 2000 and I'm
20 years old again, and I've just heard Thumper for the first time.
RSH were my gateway drug. They led me onto harder and nastier drugs,
like Iron Monkey and EyeHateGod, but they were my first. And I'll
always love them for that.
Along
with the aforementioned bands RSH changed my perception on heavy
music, and how it could sound. In
recent years my band had the privilege of opening up one of the shows
on their comeback tour, and I can tell you I've never been as nervous
before a gig as I was that day. They were nothing short of
magnificent and treated us to an hour or so of all the hits, and one
new song (Halfway To Hell, which features on this album and had a
limited 7" release a little while ago)
So,
with all that in mind I was almost nervous as I pressed play on the
review copy that found it's way into my inbox....
Within
seconds I was in sludge heaven as RSH have lost none of the
intensity, groove or swagger that made them so vital the first time
around.
First
track "Bring Out Your Dead" is as heavy as bag full of
concrete spanners, buried under another bag full of concrete
spanners, but because it's RSH it's still as catchy as chlamydia and
just as fucking nasty (I imagine....)
The
next few tracks, "Halfway To Hell", "Motorhead"
and the surely soon to be fan favourite "Evil Or Mental"
complete with certified Gold crowd sing -a - long chorus all thunder
by in just a matter of minutes.
It
wasn't until the filthy strains of "Ten Of Swords" or "The
Hangman" that I noticed it. Alongside everything you would want
or expect from a RSH record the band have got a whole lot more
sinister. More intricate backing guitar parts than before, quieter
almost whispered vocals and an excellent use of build ups give this
album an air of absolute menace in places.
As
soon as these songs become public domain and the next tour hits town
I predict a rise in diagnosed cases of whiplash all over the UK. So
yeah. Raging Speedhorn are back. By all accounts they gave one of, if
not the performance of The DesertFest just a few weeks back.
How
fitting that a band that spawned so many of the leading bands from
today's sludge movement are back to take their place at the top of
the pile.
In
short. You need this record.
Words
by Simon Ross Williams
Thanks
to Tom at Polymath PR for the promo. Lost Ritual will be available to
buy from Pledge Music on CD/DD/Vinyl from July 15th 2016.
Release
date: May 27th
2016. Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD
Apocalypse
A.D. – Tracklisting
1.
Dark Clouds Gathering
2.
Aghora
3.
Prometheus
4.
Dark Light
5.
Apocalypse A.D.
6.
Resurrection of Care
Band
Members:
Raquel
- drums
Rafal
- guitar
Mark
- bass
Bartek
- guitar
Review:
Atmospheric
Doomsters – Sūrya – is a concept album about the end of the
world. You should know that by the title of the album, Apocalypse
A.D. but you’re soon thrust into this heavy and nightmarish world
courtesy of the opening track – Dark Clouds Gathering. An
ambient/noise driven instrumental sludge track with highly inventive
news feeds outlining the plot of the entire album. A superb opening
to this great album.
I’m
not going to do a song-by-song review as this album should be taken
as one epic song where the songs being broken down into chapters.
Sūrya create a flurry of heavy pounding industrial based riffs where
their music falls firmly in the Doom/Post-Metal world that Pelican
made their name with many years ago. It’s quite a dark and
depressing album to listen to at times.
The
instrumental work even though superb throughout the entire album,
there are times where the band should have used less volume as it can
be quite deafening at times especially on songs such as Aghora and
Resurrection Of Care. Maybe I’m suffering from old-age now but the
volume on this album left me turning down the volume. Apart from that
minor complaint, Sūrya have created a highly complex and
multi-layered album as their sound changes directions with nearly
every song. Industrial, Drone, Noise, Sludge, Doom and Post-Metal are
some of the heavy riffs the band utilizes in creating an emotional
journey. Though it’s their use of soundclips that gives their music
a haunting edge. Fans of much missed band – Fall Of Efrafa – will
find much to enjoy here.
Sūrya
are signed to Argonauta Records and that’s a sign of quality in my
humble opinion. As that label hasn’t put a foot wrong lately.
They’ve signed a lot of great bands to their roster recently and
Sūrya is no different. Apocalypse A.D. may take a few listens to
fully understand and appreciate but its well worth the effort as it
becomes more rewarding as a result. Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Barbara at NeeCee Agency for the promo. Apocalypse A.D. Will be
available to buy from Argonauta Records on CD/DD from May 27th
2016.
Release
date: June 10th
2016. Label: Thrill Jockey Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
What
One Becomes – Tracklisting
1.Image
of Control
2.Rigid
Man
3.Clutch
of Oblivion
4.Blackout
5.
Will to Reach
Band
Members:
Aaron
Turner
Brian
Cook
Nick
Yacyshyn
Review:
This
is heavy music on a slightly progressive scale, made by skinless
forms not unlike chunks of meat flesh. It consists of many sounds
parts, including distortion, feedback, clamouring, pounding,
screaming and overall damage. The vocals are straight from the
obituary column. All the songs are long, clocking in over 9 minutes
and the longest song tops 17 minutes in duration.
I
will let the songs speak for themselves...
Image
of Control - The introduction of this record and inception of the
first song begins with what sounds like the cacophonous and painful
birth of Neanderthals who immediately rise to find instruments that
were buried within the earth beside them and instinctively bang on
these musical tools to create a hostile and minimalistic soundscape.
The progression of the song builds structure, but sonically, it
remains rudimentarily harsh and fundamentally brash. This is exposed
nerve flesh twitching like afterbirth born in a salt mine.
Rigid
Man - After the previous song documenting the sounds of atrocious
birth comes the next instalment that shows a strengthening of the
musical phrase architecture amidst the residual chaos. The softer
section of this song reminds me of the kind of tremulous sound waves
you might hear emitted from a huge gray colored harp, plucked by an
old witch's arthritic hand, the kind of strums that recede into the
black compartments of the unconscious mind. The song erupts back into
life like the tail of a thresher shark in attack mode.
Clutch
Of Oblivion - A tune evoking the soft and the eerie, providing
instructions that indicate your errors are not mistakes, but rather
the language of the ancients. The
song blooms into twisted guitars, uninhibited drums and guttural
screams, the soundtrack for the self righteous prig who ingested the
nature beware, tell tale blood hued flowers, toxic in all their
poisons.
Blackout
- Drums accompany the static along with screams that may be
borderline cannibalistic. Repetition through distorted guitar
strumming and skittish drum head clangs, all bent and determined to
memorialize the arduous symphony cry...'hail to the triumphant
nomad'.
Will
To Reach - Double time march of drum percussion, metallic machine gun
riffage, and battle cry type wails, transform into a progressive
interlude and reflection period that traverses off course,
fastidiously ringing the distorted slaughter house bell comprised of
instruments with non stop, unforgivable, conveyor belt purposes. This
is free association for a psychopath.
This
album contains the pulse of a newborn race of overlords. This is
sheer permafrost and you will find nothing warm here. It is the
musical score of primal resources attracting morose interests. It is
the guitar that provides utter pollution, alongside relentless drum
skin throbbing, all amidst curdled vocals of death. This album
fulfils the basic human need found within the core foundation of
heavy music. Pick up a wooden club, hold it up to the red sun and
beat your chest like a man-beast. All hail the almighty Sumac...
Words
by Nick Palmisano
What
One Becomes will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Thrill Jockey
Records from June 10th 2016.
Release
date: May 27th
2016. Label: The Church Within Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Gates
Of Flesh – Tracklisting
1.
Birth of Wine
2.
The Green Man
3.
A Shadow of Myself
4.
Breaking the Circle
5.
Accidents
6.
A Woman Out of Snow
7.
Leper, Leper
Review:
This
album is traditional, majestic doom with a professional production
containing music made by a band with extreme confidence in their
creativity, construction and delivery. The band is comprised of
devoted doom personnel who pay tribute to their influences by staying
the melancholic course while bearing their own identifying mark of
gloom. The album is full of purposeful song structures, passionate
guitar solos, and powerful vocals. This is music for those who enjoy
spoonfuls of soggy breakfast flakes submerged in a bowl of black bile
all while watching the rivulets of rain stream the down dirty windows
of their lonely house. Add this band to your collection of Count
Raven, Reverend Bizarre and Seamount.
This
band and album reverberates everything that makes doom a great genre.
This is why we all love doom. Now to the individual songs...
Birth
Of Wine - This song is slow and serpent like, weaving in and out of
stride with guitar, bass and drums honed and hiked with customary
doom. The haunting vocals oscillate between sugar and salt, all
complimenting a story to tell. This song undulates and whips.
The
Green Man - Are you ready? This is classic doom that stirs your
mollusk colored heart. From start to finish, this represents the
essential ingredients that are mindfully arranged on the top of the
cornucopia of why I listen to this type of music.
A
Shadow Of Myself - An instrumental portrayal of your own ghost which
is an introduction to the next song.
Breaking
The Circle - I had a dream. I saw myself run through the house, round
up the poison, pound down the cellar door, tear open the earth and
stuff the well with maniac mirth. This songs swings like a pendulum
over the gothic pit. Great stuff.
Accidents
- A track of rhythm coupled with heavy weight testimonial rock.
A
Woman Out Of Snow - This song is a thumping affair, bookended with
the delicateness of an angel's dirty wings.
Leper,
Leper - This song captures shimmering cymbals like broken mirrors,
hallowed drums from dead wood stumps, distorted guitars shooting
forgotten flame, and vocals pleading with their truth chords and the
aural sacrifice in sharing sonic lung disease. Is it peeling skin or
just shedding scales? Are you dying or being reborn? Maybe you should
stop worrying because maybe it is the same thing.
This
is album is a goat's horn full of lavish doom and slither gloom. Bow
your head, for this is not the dead hum we hear from the ever growing
legion of doom. These acts of contrition are welcomed and stand out
from the throng of those still swampy behind their doom purple ears,
those who are willingly baptized in the rain of doom should heed and
learn from these shapemasters of the dark. This is doom done as it
was meant to be...a ghoulish journey into graven sound.
Release date: September 02nd 2016. Label: Black Bow Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Future Echo Returns – Tracklisting
1. Estronomicon
2. Electric Breath
3. In The Grip of Fausto
4. Ritual Beginnings
5. Rat Chariot
6. Supernothing
7. Into The Eternal
Band Members:
David/Chris - guitars/amplification
Marty - traps/howls/cowbell
Review:
The news broke a little while ago, that the long-standing relationship between Slomatics and Conan had moved into another phase when it was announced that Black Bow Records would be releasing the new record from everyone's favourite Belfast band (Stiff Little Fingers coming in a close 2nd place)
It's a move that makes perfect sense, as both bands have a long history as kindred spirits having collaborated on some notable releases together, and even back in the day (2008 to be exact) they even put a split out with Chris Fielding's (current Slomatics/Skyhammer Producer/Wizard) band Agent Of Morai. Which by the way is fucking ace, and I think still available via Bandcamp.....
Anyway.... Enough of the history lesson/fact sheet.....
"Future Echo Returns" opens with the mesmerizing and hypnotic instrumental track "Estronomicon" featuring a riff that builds and builds throughout the course of the song. It's a deliciously simple but effective track, that prepares you for the masterclass that's about to follow.
"Electric Breath" is up next and opens again with a lone guitar hammering home a blunt and stubbornly heavy riff, but the track really kicks into gear with the addition of Marty Harvey's excellent vocals. To my ears, on this release the vocals really stand out more clearly, than on any other, and they sound ruddy majestic throughout.
More of the same mix of that trademark Slomatics sound on "In The Grip Of Fausto" and then we are offered up the all together calmer and reflective ""Ritual Beginnings" which is more about the subtle use of synths and some ace space sound effects (whilst not the most technical description, they made me think of space, so that's what I'm going with). The track, builds slowly yet masterfully across its six minute run time as layer by layer more samples, synths and guitars are added.
The riffs are back on the next couple of tracks, the fucking wonderfully named "Rat Chariot" and "Super Nothing" which for me is the go to track on this album. If I was wanting to introduce the band to someone who had never heard them before, this is the song I'd pick to do it. Everything about is pretty much perfect.
Not only does Marty Harvey have an impressive set of pipes, he's a beast behind the kit and shows it of to full effect here, whilst the disgustingly heavy riffs of both Chris Couzens and David Majury, compliment it perfectly. Also if you strain your ears you might hear some familiar vocals backing things up in the mix....(but I could be wrong)
The album ends on "Into The Eternal" probably the slowest and certainly the longest track on the record. Heavy, yet melodic and the prefect way to bring this record to a close.
"Future Echo Returns" is certainly my favourite Slomatics record, and in a year that has already seen some phenomenal releases its confidently staking its claim to sit alongside the likes of Conan, Slabdragger and Mantar as one of the albums of the year.
As you may have seen from the recent commotion on Facebook this album is selling out faster than an Anthony Joshua stoppage win, so head over to the Black Bow Records BigCartel and order it while you still can....
Words by Simon Ross Williams
Thanks to Curtis at Dewar PR, Black Bow Records and Slomatics for the promo. Future Echo Returns will be available to buy from September 2nd 2016 on CD/DD/Vinyl from Black Bow Records.
Release
date: May 27th
2016. Label: StoneFree Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Limestone Whale – S/T – Tracklisting
1.Ambrosia
2.Tale
Of The Snow Child
3.W
4.Swarms
5.A
Book I Have To Close
6.Paralyzed
In Paradise 04:11
7.An
Allegation
Band
Members:
Clement
Hoffer (vocals)
Flo
Ryan Kiss (guitar)
René
Preiß (bass)
Maximilian
Brev (drums)
Review:
You
will be forgiven for classifying Limestone Whale as another Kadavar
clone. There are tons of bands starting to appear on the scene and
literally copying Kadavar’s great style of Classic Hard Rock and
Doom Metal tinged vibes. Limestone Whale may offer the same style of
music that Kadavar is known for but their debut S/T album shows a
band with a lot going in their favour. A collection of great songs
for a start.
This
album may only contain seven tracks but the band has made sure you’re
thoroughly entertained for the next thirty-five minutes or so.
Opening song – Ambrosia – shows the band playing a more refined
classic rock approach that fans of The Who will definitely enjoy.
Layers of psychedelic rock holds all the riffs together with lead
vocalist Clement opting for Roger Daltrey style vocal approach. It’s
a no-holds barred hard rock song that shows the bands appreciation
for good old fashioned rock and roll from the last 50 years or so.
Second
track – Tale Of The Snow Child – opens with a slow-paced psych
doom instrumental riff before the band start playing at a much faster
pace. It’s quite a cold and eerie affair before the vocals start to
appear. Limestone Whale expand their psychedelic doom sound with
Sabbath inspired vocals and riffs but one that sounds very original
through out.
Third
track – W – carries on the vibe from the previous song as the
band create haunting slow paced melodies and bittersweet
vocals/lyrics to match. It’s very much in the vein of classic hard
rock but you can tell the song will return to the heavier psych doom
vibe that the band does so brilliantly well. This is perhaps my fave
song from the album. It has the right balance of tone, melody and
power for one hypnotic ride.
The
rest of the album follows the same structure as the opening three
songs as Limestone Whale impress you with more classic hard rock and
psych doom magic. Other great songs to check out are: Swarms,
Paralyzed In Paradise and An Allegation.
It’s
a shame there’s only seven songs as it could have done with one or
two more to make the album last that little bit longer. Maybe I’m
being too greedy but this is such a great record that you don’t
want it to end. The production is superb throughout as everything
sounds crisp and clear from the start. Overall this is a stunning and
superb release from Limestone Whale.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Timon at Mountain Range PR for the promo. Limestone Whale S/T
album will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from May 27th
2016 via StoneFree Records.
On
16 November 1974 the Arecibo message was broadcast into space a
single time via frequency modulated radio waves. The message was
aimed at the current location of globular star cluster M13 some
25,000 light years away just to get in touch with extra terrestrial
minds somewhere out there. Well, the message worked as scientists
say, they’ve gladly approved that it attracts the attention of the
ever hungry tyranids hive fleet which is now heading to our Solar
System, the reptiloids race (it’s first representatives already
rule few big countries including yours), few rock bands and other
hostile life forms. Ufosonic Generator project amongst them.
They
came from outer space and play the stuff similar to classic doom
rock. Minotauro Records took care of these homanoids and promised to
help them get in touch with humankind through their first album. So
Ufosonic Generator is finishing this work to make all of us happy
with cosmic knowledge. Diego and Gojira (of course it’s not their
real names, because no one in the space hasn’t such names!)
broadcast this interview through their alien technologies.
Hi
there on the high orbit! Please introduce Ufosonic Generator to our
readers - who are you and from where did you come from?
DD:
Formed as Ufosonic Generator in 2011, happened I was in disease a
full month straight those days and got medicine –and I would be
endlessly grateful to the national health service for that!- and..
definitely mixing illness and drugs had a nice effect on my
songwriting as, between visions and pain, Ufosonic were born...
that’s how it goes!
Where
do we come from? Mmm.. i think we would never belong to any country
on earth but, we encourage you to get in contact to the overdriven
species out there so, you can have a glance to humanity from outside
and just looking from the Earth to deep space..
Gojira:In my past life I was a female singer,
then I suddenly turned into a male screamer for Ufosonic.
Such
a cool story bro! Diego, are you sure that it's the real Gojira there
with you?! He could be abducted by aliens and returned with an erased
personality! How can you prove it?
ROOAAARRR!!
The
band was formed in 2011, how long did you work over your first
record? What were your primal goals when you composed that material?
DD:Miguel Bell and me had the idea to
start a band together in one of those alcoholic nights… Then
McManchester and me started our rehearsal together and in the next
few months all the ideas and riffs got into shape.
How
did you find other members of Ufosonic Generator? What's the current
lineup?
DD:Our line-up is Gojira on screams, Carl
Michael Bell on bass, S.Mcmanchester on drums and me on guitars. We
all played in different bands in the past and we still do nowadays .
Started a Black Sabbath faithful tribute together with Gojira and
Mcmanchester years ago so, it was quite easy to ask the guys to
join.. on the other hand our Carl Michael doesn’t belong to Planet
Earth, we just borrowed him at some point and we know we will let him
go when they’ ll want him back..just like Bowie.
Gojira,
how did you find that your way of singing is OK for the band?
G:
DD wanted me to sing in the band. And DD’s word is pure gospel, you
know…
Ufosonic
Generator first records are two EP's - "Harold The Addicted,
pt.1" and "Harold The Abducted, pt.2". What is the
story behind them?
DD:We just gave a name to the king, which
is Harold – from a Shelley’s novel..”- and he is an addict at
first, more morally than because of drugs. Now, I have a question for
you - have you ever seen a corrupted “king”? Mmm.. well I would
say yes. So, in our second EP we were sick of him and, we just gave
him to our friends there in outer space.. Wouldn’t be nice if every
population would do that to mainstream rules and rulers?
But
hey! Don’t get me wrong. Harold likes drugs and aliens as well.
How
often do you get in contact with aliens and drugs? Oh... sorry, I'm
not going to show any disrespect, I bet that you're honorable
gentlemen, so answer just about aliens!
G:
Oh no, that’s really OK: aliens are our favorite pushers.
Ufosonic
Generator – At Witches’ Bell
What
are your requirements to creating your own sound?
DD:
How much time do you have? Aahaha well, a riff-based powerful sound
of guitar is our first goal. “Harold the Abducted” has been
recorded with engl head and cabs plus a beloved ‘73 laney klipp for
the fuzzy sound, Gibson SG and lot of mics!
We
got a good sound but not completely happy with that – it’s
definitely necessary being critic with ourselves!
I
think a riff-by-riff approach mixed to unique McManchester drumming
style - which is totally devoted to classic stuff from Bonzo, Mitch
Mitchell and Ward, routed with a-la-Tool skills approached with some
jazzy weirdness is our trademark.
As
you can see, rhythm and power is truly vital to us and, that’s why
Miguel Bell bass sound is so roaring and thunderous..
Did
you have in mind any lyrical conception when you started the band?
Did you have any certain message for your listeners?
DD:Speaking
the truth to the listener is always
the best way to speak to the listener. We can’t play any other
style without being more expressive than that because we are
anti-hero, anti-mainstream players, we do believe in man but we lose
our hopes for humanity every day more and more.
That’s
why our lyrics are deeply involved in magic, illuminated literature
and fascinations from the dark side and again, do you really believe
we are alone in this universe?
Gojira
and me worked more together on the second EP lyrics as well.
Gojira:
It’s basically a mix between psychedelic and oniric visions plus
some dark satanic shit. What’s good about these lyrics is that we
can freely write down things about some of our weirdest dreams.
Sometimes we also draw inspiration from some strange old stories and
legends.
Senior
Gojira what do you mean speaking about dark satanic shit?
G:
Well, satanic shit is way better than Christian shit. One night Jesus
himself told me so…
How
often do you visit the church? Did you ever have a chance to play a
gig there?
DD:I remember I entered a church once.
Still waiting for the holy spirit to come.
Ufosonic
Generator played alongside Funeral Marmoori, Godwatt and Psychedelic
Witchcraft. How often do you play live? What was your biggest success
as a live band?
DD:
Nice gig that one, man! FM are our pals and good boys to party with
–even if we live far from each other- so, we are always glad to
share the stage with them. We had fun for sure - good beer, good
drugs and no-good-looking-guys crowd. Just perfect!
We
would love to play live everyday, I think it’s a commitment to
every rock&roll band but, on the other hand I must say that it’s
going to be more and more difficult playing raw music in a way which
is honest in front of people who really got the message.
Audiences
are used to fake bands which prefer to spend a lot of time in the
studio and then missing the point as a live band. It’s just like
having a cake full of cream and trimmings, we are more like daily
bread.
Diego
how did you get in touch with Minotauro Records? What details of the
deal you are ready to share? Did you already buy the new house on
this new deal?
DD:Glen is a good guy and they're going to
release our first album. First cheque we will grab a double-flat
boathouse along with a nice garden and a fountain. As soon as we get
it, we will have a party and you will be invited!
Ufosonic
Generator – A Sinful Portrait
I'm
ready to party and already prepared my best suit and tie! How long is
your first album? How many songs does it consists of?
DD:While this interview occurred, our
first album is going to be recorded; everything is set up and almost
ready, just finishing recording the last song then mixing and
mastering as well. It should contain 8 or 9 tracks but, we never
planned anything yet so, we just let things flow and wait for the
holy spirit to illuminate us!
Will
it be performed stylistically in the same manner as your EP's?
G:Our recordings aim to be as close as
possible to our live sound. We’re mainly a live band. Gigs are
where the fun is.
What's
official date of release? And how are you going to support it?
DD:It’s still a secret and, secret is
the fundamental of magic so. Just let the spell be with us a bit more
then. Support?. Well, Minotauro will do its part distributing the new
album, supporting us spreading our voice in Europe and US and on
mags. We all do the rest, of course!
How
did you record the album? What were the conditions recording in the
studio?
DD:We recorded at Studio12, Giovanni is a
good guy to work with and, we arrived there with everything ready so,
it was quite easy. The studio has a comfy sofa and Giovanni is always
ready to open a beer for you! Then “wolf of wall street” came
out, just one of the best movies of the last few years, as long as
“Bird”. When you will watch them just think to Ufosonic!
What
was the most difficult part during the record session?
DD:
Paying the bills, I guess…
How
much of money and time do you usually spend on Ufosonic Generator?
Isn’t it cheaper to record at night?
G:
This type of music can be only recorded at night. Mornings are good
only to find some money for Ufosonic.
What
are your plans for the next release?
DD:We hate plans.
The
answer is cool to finish this interview, but I should ask – do you
have few more words of Ufosonic wisdom for our patient readers?
DD:Wisdom? Let the Bill Hicks spirit be
always with us! Enjoy listening to us and I must say been a pleasure
to answer your questions so, keep up supporting us! And remember -
abduction is imminent and well desired.
