Outlaws Of The Sun

Saturday, 16 June 2018

The Stone Eye - Kevlar, Kryptonite, Gloria (Album Review)

Release date: June 02^nd 2018. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD

Kevlar, Kryptonite, Gloria – Tracklisting

1.Hand of Silk 03:28

2.Cut Him Loose 03:26

3.Eyes of Eden 04:51

4.Tin Man 03:25

5.Gone Girl 03:48

6.Black Cat 04:26

7.Chariots 04:01

8.Cellar Dogs 04:48

9.A Palace for an Unborn King 03:04

10.See the Sun 03:48

11.Kevlar, Kryptonite, Gloria 15:40

Members

Jeremiah Bertin : Drums

Stephen Burdick : Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Keyboard

Review

Kevlar, Kryptonite, Gloria is the new album from Alternative/Stoner Rock Band – The Stone Eye. Coming 10 months after their last album, The Stone Eye carry on the heavy and twisted hybrid rock sound that contains elements of Grunge, Stoner, Indie, Sludge, Punk and Psychedelic Rock. Taking influence from Alice In Chains, The Stone Eye have came back with a darker and more twisted album compared to their last album The Meadow.

The opening track – Hand Of Silk – is perhaps the best song that A Perfect Circle have never written. It has an early APC vibe but merged with hazy psychedelic sounds that offers one of the albums best songs. The guitar work is frantic and quite progressive in places.

Second track – Cut Him Loose – is heavily inspired by Alice In Chains with the sludgy guitars giving way to a psychedelic freak-out towards the end of the song. The grunge aspect is quite strong both lyrically and vocally as The Stone Eye don’t settle on a standard sound. Be prepared for The Stone Eye to sound quite different on most of the songs on this album.

As the band have adopted a chameleon like effect when they change the whole tone of the album when the mood calls for it. I can’t review each of the 11 songs on the album but I will highlight some of the best songs on the album – Eyes of Eden, Tin Man, Black Cat, See The Sun and the excellent title track - Kevlar, Kryptonite, Gloria.

Unfortunately the album suffers from the same issues that plagued the last album. It’s on way too long and this album sees The Stone Eye lose focus and become disjointed at times.

However lets focus on the positives and there is a lot of great things on this album. Such as intelligent songwriting, superb instrumental work, varied use of different genres and the fantastic production. As this album sounds superb from the start. The album has quite a rebellious sound and I put that down to the superb production.

Overall, The Stone Eye have created a solid and superbly entertaining album that will no doubt see the band’s reputation grow steadily within the Stoner Rock/Metal scene.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to The Stone Eye for the promo. Kevlar, Kryptonite, Gloria is available to buy on CD/DD now.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Here Lies Man - You Will Know Nothing (Album Review)

Release date: June 15^th 2018. Label: RidingEasy Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

You Will Know Nothing – Tracklisting

1.Animal Noises 04:12

2.Summon Fire 03:03

3.Blindness 03:31

4.That Much Closer To Nothing 03:26

5.Hell (Wooly Tail) 04:25

6.Voices At The Window 03:36

7.Taking The Blame 03:25

8.Fighting 02:47

9.Floating On Water 03:43

10.Memory Games 02:10

11.You Ought To Know 05:33

Members

Marcos Garcia - Guitar, Bass, Keys, Vocals

Geoff Mann - Drums, Percussion, Bass

Richard Panta - Congas

Reinaldo DeJesus - Congas

Victor Axelrod - Additional Keyboards

Review

Here Lies Man made quite an impression with their debut album last year. Its collective mix of Psych, Stoner and Classic Rock merged with Afrobeat sounds won them some major acclaim and recognition. Some people described them Black Sabbath performing Afrobeat music. Whilst that it's true to a small degree. There's a whole lot more to the overall sound of Here Lies Man.

Whilst their debut album was a fast-paced musical psychedelic odyssey, their new album - You Will Know Nothing - is a slightly slower and different affair. Whilst it still retains the highly energetic vibe and charm of their debut album, this album sees Here Lies Man creating a more experimental sound. The music can be very slow at times but once the band pick up the pace then there is no stopping Here Lies Man from creating a laid-back classic sounding Psychedelic Stoner Rock experience.

The first few tracks - Animal Noises, Summon Fire and Blindness, is highly influenced by the experimental Hard Rock sounds of the sixties and seventies. Maybe drawing influence from bands such as The Doors and even Black Sabbath too much at times. Though that doesn’t stop Here Lies Man from creating a truly definitive Stoner Rock sound. The lyrics are way out there as normal but Here Lies Man pull this off with style, panache and a whole lot of originality. The vocals are a true delight. With the band having the right amount of passion and brimming full of different ideas throughout the album.

Other great songs to check out are: That Much Closer To Nothing, Hell (Wooly Tail), Taking The Blame, Floating On Water and You Ought To Know. As this is where Here Lies Man impress the most with the dazzling display of Stoner Rock riff wizardry by fusing different sounds and genres that shouldn't really work together.

The production on the album is first rate with Here Lies Man sounding both distinctively modern despite the high amount of classic rock moments held on the album. You Will Know Nothing may not be assessable as their debut album. However I feel this is a much better record. As Here Lies Man take more creative risks with their music.

The music is heavier, braver and even bolder. With some of the more obscure Afrobeat sounds leaving you wanting more. Overall, Here Lies Man have delivered the goods with You Will Know Nothing and will no doubt see the bands reputation and fanbase grow considerably bigger over the next year or so.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Dave at US/THEM PR Group for the promo. You Will Know Nothing is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from RidingEasy Records now.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

GRIN - Revenant (Album Review)

Release date: April 27^th 2018. Label: The Lasting Dose Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Revenant – Tracklisting

1.ALTERNA 02:18

2.SECLUSION 06:10

3.SENTINEL 05:16

4.ORDINAND feat. K. McDonald (ZAUM) 06:53

5.REVENANT 03:36

6.CLOSURE 06:54

Members

Sabine Oberg - Bass

Jan Oberg - Drums/Vocals

Review

GRIN is the new band featuring two members (Jan and Sabine) of Earthship. GRIN follow a similar path to Earthship but with a more doomier and psychedelic driven sound. Their debut album Revenant is a highly accomplished work with the band focusing the same amount of time and effort on melody and aggression.

Opening track - Alterna - is a two minute plus blast of Sludge/Punk/Stoner heavy sounds. The vocals from Jan have an easy going and sinister quality to them. Jan performs a few drone based chants on this song and the heavy sludgy riffs is held together by a superbly heavy distorted guitar sound.

Second track - Seclusion - is where GRIN really expresses themselves more as the song runs for around six minutes. This allows GRIN to slowly build up their distorted Sludge/Punk/Stoner Metal sound. The sound can be quite vicious at times but it's never off-putting. As the frantic drums of Jan is what really makes this song ticks.

GRIN reminds me of Zoroaster in a lot of ways. Especially with the vocals and how GRIN expertly weave their different musical elements into a trippy and almost surreal nightmarish experience. The pounding psychedelic rhythms leave you wanting more and the sparse vocals/chants from Jan prove that GRIN are no mere pushovers despite this being their debut album.

Third track - Sentinel - carries on the distorted heavy psychedelic sound though with an eerie familiar Stoner Metal influence holding everything together. As before the song starts really slowly before GRIN finally kick into action by playing a truly addictive sludge/punk sound. The thing that surprised me the most with Revenant is the amount of different sounds and textures that GRIN include on this album. You think the album is going to stick to one set sound. However GRIN change things by adding a Psychedelic/Drone/Ambient groove to their music.

The bass guitar can be too loud at times on certain parts of the album. Though that's maybe the point of GRIN's music. To make you feel uncomfortable and drown you with powerful sounds. The other songs on the album are inspired by SLEEP and OM at times especially my favourite song on the album - Ordinand.

The final two songs - Revenant and Closure - offer some of the heaviest and distorted sounds that the album has to offer. Revenant is another one of my favourite songs on the album. As GRIN create a nightmarish psychedelic and almost post-rock/post-metal vibe that is quite different to the other songs on the album. I'm kicking myself for not listening and reviewing this album sooner. As this album is an absolute violent delight.

Revenant has an almighty monolithic presence. The only other downside is the album is on too short. I would have loved to hear another song. Though it's best leaving the audience wanting more and not outstaying your welcome. GRIN have delivered the goods with Revenant.

Revenant is an unflinching and unapologetic album that you won't easily forget.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Goat Faction - Nightcrawlers (Single Review)

Release date: June 01st 2018. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Nightcrawlers – Tracklisting

Nightcrawlers

Members

Blair Lyons - Guitar, Synthesizer

Kyle Lyons - Drums

Josh Raines - Bass

Kirsty Hulka - Keys, Synthesizer

Review

Goat Faction are an Experimental Stoner Rock band Perth, Australia. Australia has recently been excelling in providing top-quality Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal bands over the last few years. However, Goat Faction might be one of the most craziest and weirdest bands I’ve came across from the Aussie Stoner Rock Scene.

As Goat Faction play a different kind of Stoner Rock. As their new song – Nightcrawlers – features elements of Psych, Drone, Stoner, Noise, Prog and even Electronica. It’s quite a trippy and surreal experience that is all held together by a Jam based sound. Goat Faction manage to include some heavy distorted guitar riffs that shows the band may deliver something heavier on their forthcoming EP which they will be releasing later this year.

I wouldn’t call Goat Faction an Avant-Garde band but they maybe classed as “Outsiders” to the Stoner Rock/Metal community. However I feel that Goat Faction have a lot to offer and one of those things is ORIGINALITY. As I can’t compare this band to anyone else at the moment.

OK, Goat Faction. You’ve made me a fan of your crazy, psychedelic and fucked-up sound. I definitely want to hear more. If you’re in the mood for something different in the realm of Stoner Rock. Check out Goat Faction. As I have a small feeling you’ll be hearing a lot more from this band in the near future...

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Tuesday, 12 June 2018

Brant Bjork - New Album News and European Tour Dates

Kyuss and Fu Manchu legend BRANT BJORK is back with a brand new record! Today, the godfather of Desert Rock unveils the hotly anticipated details about his thirteenth solo album titled "Mankind Woman", set to be released September 14th on Heavy Psych Sounds Records!

Although this is indeed a BRANT BJORK record, it is the first record Brant so closely collaborates with a producer and co-writer: his Low Desert Punk Band guitarist and friend, Bubba Dupree. Brant and Bubba wrote and performed the music along with guest appearances by bass player Armand Secco Sabal, Nick Oliveri and vocalist Sean Wheeler who has been a touring member of the Low Desert Punk Band. The recording took place in March of 2018 at Zainaland, a creative villa owned by Brant's wife Zaina Alwan, in the California desert town of 29 Palms. The record was recorded and engineered by Yosef Sanborn who also owns and operates Massive FX pedals in Los Angeles. Multiple pedals designed by Yosef were used by Brant and Bubba for this record. Additional tracks were recorded by Bubba Dupree at Brant Bjork's home studio in Venice Beach, California.

BRANT BJORK and Bubba describe the sound of "Mankind Woman" as modern classic. It is evidently clear that both Bjork and Dupree specialize in the craft of the sound and feel of the music spawned in the 60's and 70's. This record is inspired by this great era, however the intention was not to try to recapture or mimic in retro terms these influences but to strive for a contemporary quality. Brant Bjork might have gone deeper in the lyrics than on any record before.

Focusing on personal sensitivities, elite hypocrisies, racism, sexism and the daily struggle to find peace, love and understanding in today's American society. Once again, BRANT BJORK created a record that reminds the listener that it is the ingredients of the jazz, blues and funk, that makes rock music taste so good. A must-have for all collectors, genre-fans and beyond!

BRANT BJORK New album "Mankind Woman"

Out September 14th on Heavy Psych Sounds Records

- Vinyl and CD preorder start July 3rd here -

TRACK LISTING:

1. Chocolatize
2. Lazy Wizards
3. Charlie Gin
4. Mankind Woman
5. Pisces
6. Swagger & Sway
7. Somebody
8. Pretty Hairy
9. Brand New Old Times
10. 1968
11. Nation Of Indica
Album Art by Robin Gnista

"Mankind Woman" will be available in the following formats:
- 50 Test Pressing Vinyl (Only on Heavy Psych Sounds webshop)
- Limited edition "Colour in Colour" Brown in Orange Vinyl (Only on HPS webshop)
- Limited edition "3 colours A/B side Burst" Yellow / Red / Brown Vinyl (Only on HPS webshop)
- Limited edition "3 Colour Segment" Orange / Purple / Yellow Vinyl (Only on HPS webshop)
- Limited edition "Splatter Version" Transp. Background / Yellow, Purple, Orange, Red, Brown
- Black Vinyl
- CD Digipak and Digital Download

In support of his new album, BRANT BJORK will be heavily hitting the road again this year, with very special guest Sean Wheeler. The desert rock legend comments: "Looking forward to returning to Europe in November and bringing all the European fans some of our fresh jams along with the classics. Mankind Woman is our new record and we can't wait to turn Europe on! See you all soon!"

EUROPEAN TOUR 2018

BRANT BJORK LINKS

Facebook | Twitter | I nstagram | Website

HPS RECORDS LINKS

HPS website | HPS Facebook | HPS Bandcamp

Ancient Lights - S/T (Album Review)

Release date: July 06th 2018. Label: Ritual Productions. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Ancient Lights – S/T – Tracklisting

1.Decaying Lotus

2.Temple Ghosts

3.War of Attrition

4.Orichalcum Eater

5.Asakai Dasa

6.Against Nature

7.Miasmaculatum

8.Fallow Year

9.Vessel of Inevitability

10.Slow Breath

Members

Tim Bertilsson – drums

Adam Richardson – bass, guitar, vocals & lyrics

Ben Carr – guitar

Review

Ancient Lights is made up of members from the following bands Ramesses, 5ive and Switchblade Ancient Lights takes influence from those bands but still sounds remarkably different as well. Ancient Lights are more kindred spirits to bands such as BONG and SunnO))). As the band play a blend of Psychedelic Rock, Doom, Sludge, Ambient, Drone and Post Rock sounds.

Their debut self-titled album has its fair share of heavy and epic progressive sounds buried within the epic seventy minute plus running time. The album isn't going to be for everyone. As it's not an easy album to listen to. Some parts can be quite hard and challenging to fully sit through. However the album is never boring and it rewards the listener with an almost out-of-body trans-dimensional experience that leaves you wanting more on certain songs.

Opening song - Decaying Lotus - is a twelve minute opus that sees Ancient Lights creating a heavy droned out Ambient/Post-Doom atmosphere with the chant based vocals. I would normally say that this is a bold and brave move to open the album with. As the song is quite experimental and has a lot of different parts to it. However this is how the rest of the album sounds like. If you're not moved by the first opening track then the rest of the album won't impress you at all. Though I most soldier on with this album review and I'm a huge fan of what Ancient Lights have created on this album.

The myriad of different sounds and ambient textures make this album what it is. Songs such as: Temple Ghosts, War of Attrition, Asakai Dasa, Against Nature, Follow Year and Slow Breath are the standout songs on the album. With Ancient Lights creating the heaviest and most far-out riffs on the album. Sure the album could have benefited from a couple of the shorter songs being left out for pacing purposes. The instrumental work is simply superb and intense from Ancient Lights which isn't surprising with the hugely talented members involved.

The album does have its fair share of moments of Ancient Lights playing standard Doom Rock/Metal riffs compared to the usual Droned Out Metal parts that make up the majority of the album. The vocals do take some time getting fully used to. As they are primarily chant based. Though they are superbly sung throughout the entire album.

The production is simply marvellous with the album being consistently loud and dynamic from the start. Overall, Ancient Lights have released a thought provoking sonic experience that will leaves you wanting more.

Hopefully this will be the first of many great albums from Ancient Lights and not just a one-off collaboration.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Ritual Productions for the promo. Ancient Lights debut self-titled album will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ritual Productions from July 06^th 2018.

Links:

Facebook

Yawning Man - The Revolt Against Tired Noises (Album Review)

Release date: July 06th 2018. Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Revolt Against Tired Noises – Tracklisting

1. The Black Kite

2. The Revolt Against Tired Noises

3. Skyline Pressure

4. Grant’s Heart

5. Violent Lights

6 Catamaran

7. Misfortune Cookies

8. Ghost Beach

Members

Gary Arce – Guitar

Mario Lalli – Bass

Bill Stinson – Drums

Review

Seminal Desert/Stoner Rockers Yawning Man return with their new album - The Revolt Against Tired Noises. This is their first album for their new label - Heavy Psych Sounds, who are perhaps releasing some of the best Stoner Rock albums this year.

The Revolt Against Tired Noises sees Yawning Man adapt a more cinematic approach to their music. With the familiar Desert, Psych and Stoner Rock sounds that Yawning Man are known for merged with a heavier and progressive sound. The mood can be very Post-Rock at times but this album is still quintessential Yawning Man through and through. The album is mainly instrumental. However there two tracks that contain vocals which I'll go into later.

Opening track - Black Kite - is a rich psychedelic and progressive Desert/Post-Rock odyssey with Yawning laying down the foundations on what the album will deliver within the next forty minutes or so. The music is beautifully heavy and quiet on different parts of the song. The undeniable talents of Gary Arce, Mario Lalli and Bill Stinson are there to behold for everyone to feel and hear.

Second track - The Revolt Against Tired Noises - is a song that blends the sounds of the legendary Desert Rock environment with a heavier Stoner Rock riff. Though it's the psychedelic riffs that leave you drifting into your own sub-conscience and thinking of happier times.

Third track - Skyline Pressure - is longest song on the album running past the seven minute mark. This is perhaps the most classic sounding song that Yawning Man have recorded on the album. As it contains some of their earlier trademark sounds and ideas but given a more progressive modern feel. The song never outstays its welcome as the instrumental work is precise and direct leaving you wanting more.

Fourth song - Grant's Heart - is where Yawning Man decide to throw a major curve ball for their established fan-base by adding vocals to this song courtesy of Mario. Mario gives this song a heartfelt and emotional uplifting feel. This is perhaps the standout song on the album. As the album is very emotional especially when the heavy Desert Rock riffs kick in.

The second half of the album is equally as good as the first half as Yawning Man include a much welcome surprise by finally recording the classic song - Catamaran. Catamaran was made famous by Kyuss. However this song was originally written by Yawning Man and made famous by Kyuss on their classic album - And The Circus Leaves Town. So it's great to hear Yawning Man treating audiences to their own definitive version of this classic song. Both versions are quite different to each other but brilliantly familiar as well.

The Revolt Against Tired Noises is another wonderful sounding album from Yawning Man and it's perhaps their most fully realised album to date. The production is fantastic from the start with Yawning Man's sound having a fresher and dynamic feel compared to previous releases.

Only Yawning Man could have released this album and this ranks as perhaps their best album to date.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. The Revolt Against Tired Noises will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via HeavyPsych Sounds from July 06^th 2018.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp