BISMUT - Schwerpunkt (Album Review)

Release date: November 26th 2018. Label: Lay Bare Recordings (Vinyl Only). Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Schwerpunkt – Tracklisting

1.Borgerskapet 13:49

2.Stórborg

3.Gewapende Magte

4.Czar

Members

Huibert - bass

Peter - Drums

Nik - guitar

Review

BISMUT debut album – Schwerpunkt – is a mixture of many different styles such as Prog Rock, Doom, Desert Rock, Stoner, Jazz, Psych and Hard Rock. I was expecting this album to your usual run-of-the-mill instrumental rock album. I was pleasantly surprised to see the band exploring many different musical avenues and making actual bold decisions with their music.

The first thing that stands out with BISMUT’s music is how complex the whole album actually sounds whilst still offering the listener a high amount of epic riffs. BISMUT are a highly talented power-trio and they incorporate that classic style of sound throughout the album. Schwerpunkt can be quite progressive and very surreal at times with the band opting for a heavier and distorted psychedelic sound.

Opening song – Borgerskapet – is a fourteen minute epic that sees BISMUT playing a different style of Psychedelic blend of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Rock. It may take a few minutes to fully get used to BISMUT style of music. As it’s quite different to other instrumental rock/metal bands. The sound is very organic and quite a dominant feel. It’s quite cold and calculating in places but the band still manage to create an exciting atmosphere that allows their music to be played naturally.

Second song – Stórborg – opens with a more psychedelic and ambient approach though with heavier strands of Sludge Rock slowly making a confident appearance. The Post-Rock/Post-Metal interludes interact superbly well with the Stoner based riffs as BISMUT change their overall sound to one of sonic experimentation. The production once again is very raw and maybe could have done with more volume being added to the overall mix. Though I did enjoy the overall bleakness of the actual album and that’s perhaps down to the production contained on the album.

Gewapende-Magte – carries on the bleak and heavy progressive themes of the previous track as BISMUT offer a more jazz orientated sound. The distorted and almost industrial delivery of the song allows the band to play a heavier and heartfelt sound. The song takes time in fully get going but this song perhaps contains the heaviest moments on the album.

The final song – Czar – has a more fast-paced approach but still maintaining the other’s tracks industrial based post-rock delivery. The album ends on a highly satisfying conclusion with BISMUT pulling out all of the stops in playing more complex sounding music that’s very hard to define or categorize at times.

Schwerpunkt is not your standard Instrumental Rock/Metal album and nor should it be. With a high amount of instrumental rock/metal bands releasing similar sounding albums, it’s good to hear a band releasing something different and genuinely exciting at the same time. Overall, Schwerpunkt is a well-made and thought-provoking album that is perhaps suited to the more adventurous Instrumental Rock/Metal fan.

Words by Steve Howe

Schwerpunkt will be available to buy on CD/DD from the band and Vinyl via Lay Bare Recordings from November 26^th 2018.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Greenleaf - Hear The Rivers (Album Review)

Release date: November 09^th 2018. Label: Napalm Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Hear The Rivers – Tracklisting

1.Let It Out! 04:46

2.Sweet Is The Sound 04:07

3.A Point Of A Secret 04:36

4.Good Ol´Goat 03:15

5.The Rumble And The Weight 06:43

6.We Are The Pawns 04:30

7.Oh My Bones 02:58

8.In The Caverns Below 04:12

9.High Fever 03:02

10.The Rivers Lullaby 08:01

Members

Tommi Holappa - Guitar

Sebastian Olsson - Drums

Hans Fröhlich - Bass

Arvid Hällagård – Vocals

Review

Greetings All,

Being a music fan can be an incredibly fulfilling and frustrating endeavour. Personally, I am pretty consistently amazed by the amazing array of bands that can avoid my heavy duty, long range musical radar. I believe it was earlier this year that I found myself becoming familiarized with the awesome Black Rainbows, and I was completely dumbfounded as to how I had never heard of them before their newest record. Well, lo and behold, I have once again found myself standing in the dark with the equally amazing Greenleaf. 

The band started out as a side project for Dozer guitarist Tommi Holappa back in 2000 and these guys have just released their 7th full length. After 20 years it is safe to say Greenleaf is no longer a side project. Nor should it be. Hear the Rivers is an amazing slab of fuzzed out garage/psych rock by this Swedish quartet. The band shares a similar sound and vibe to their Euro brethren Graveyard and Kadavar, while also pulling some notes from desert rock icons Kyuss and Texas blues rock masters ZZ Top. Everything about the record rings resonates with the heart and soul of any fan of rock n roll. It is masterfully played, excellently recorded and delivers in every way shape and form.

To the songs..

From the opening salvoes of the amazing Let it Out! You know Greenleaf is bringing it. Fuzzed out riffage and driving drums carry this classic rock tune. Sweet is the Sound brings a serious groove that is reminiscent of times of early Queens of the Stone Age. The QOTSA vibe continues on my personal favorite track from the record. A Point of a Secret has a slinky but powerful feel and delivers an amazing chorus that you will be singing to yourself for weeks to come. 

A big, raucous riff brings in the stomp of Good Ol’ Goat, a straight ahead rocker that jams. While the band touches on darker subject matter throughout the record, their ability to sugar coat it with hooks and melodies makes the darkness a little bit brighter. However, the next two tracks bring a one-two punch of no frills heaviness, The Rumble and the Weight is a big heavy rock song and We are the Pawns, while also bringing the heavy, has a bit of a slower tempo and a more ominous feel. 

Oh My Bones circles back to the more straightforward retro rock feel and continues the same vibe into the awesome, In the Caverns Below. A fuzzed out homage to 60’s rock. The band bring the high octane, rock n rolla feel with High Fever before closing out with 8+ minute epic closing track, The Rivers Lullaby.

With Hear the Rivers, Greenleaf have given us the record that all wish The Sword or Queens of the Stone Age could, or should be delivering. But there is no point in wishing on a pipe dream or pining for what could have. Greenleaf have delivered the goods in spades with their newest opus. Everyone should do themselves a favor and track this record down and support the hell out of these guys. We can’t let a band this good become a side project again. Dig on This!

- Todd S

Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou

Words by Todd Stealey

Hear The Rivers is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Napalm Records.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Old Man Lizard - True Misery (Album Review)

Release date: November 30th 2018. Label: Wasted State Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

True Misery – Tracklisting

1.Shark Attack

2.Snakes!!!

3.Tree Of Ténéré

4.The Adventures Of Rupert Biggins

5.Trees Fall Down

6.Cursed Ocean, Relentless Sea

7.Misery Is Miserable

8.Return To Earth

Members

Jack Newham - Guitar & Vocals

Gav Senior - Bass

Dan Beales - Drums

Review

Old Man Lizard are a Doom/Sludge/Stoner Rock band from the UK who have been compared to bands such as Harvey Milk, Baroness and Torche during their musical journey and that's down to their unique style of music they create on their previous albums. Now the band are about to release their third album - True Misery - and it's perhaps their heaviest and most daring album to date. Old Man Lizard manage to create a world-weary Sludge/Stoner Metal sound that has strands of Americana based music popping up from time to time.

Old Man Lizard are another band who have their own style of music and it can be quite lo-fi and distant at times. However the band have always played that sound on their past two albums.

True Misery offers a gloomier experience and the opening song - Shark Attack - is a mixture of heavy sludge/doom riffs that have quite a raw edge to them and the bleak sounding vocals from Jack only adds to the slightly sombre mood of the album. However Old Man Lizard never make you feel uncomfortable as the music has quite a hopeful quality to it at times.

Second song - Snakes - has a more Psychedelic Blues Rock sound that sees the band play a heavier Punk Rock style of music as well. The lyrics are quite simple but they do their job superbly well. The song lasts around two minutes in lengths but you'll be surprised how action-packed this song actually is.

Third song - Tree Of Tenere - has a more grizzled psychedelic and experimental Americana feel but with a slight twinge of Baroness mellow riffs. This is perhaps the song inspired by Baroness the most on the album but still having that authentic Old Man Lizard sound and that's mainly the lo-fi psychedelic Stoner vibes that has that twinge of Americana holding everything together.

Though the band impress the most on the second half of the album with the more epic songs - "Cursed Ocean, Relentless Sea" and Misery Is Miserable. Both running near the nine minute mark. Old Man Lizard seem to thrive more on the lengthier songs. As they perhaps more time to play with.

These two songs allows you to see the real Old Man Lizard with epic progressive Sludge/Stoner riffs matched against insightful lyrics as well. Old Man Lizard prove on this album that Sludge/Stoner Metal still has the power to be daring and different. It may take you a few listens to fully appreciate and understand this album as the band have included so many different ideas.

The production is simply superb and is one of the best parts of the album. As Old Man Lizard have never sounded this good. True Misery proves why Old Man Lizard are one of the most genuine and exciting bands to emerge from the UK Sludge/Stoner Metal scene in recent years.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mona at All Noir for the promo. True Misery will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Wasted State Records from November 30^th 2018.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

L’Ira Del Baccano - Si Non Sedes iS - LIVE MMVII (Album Review)

Release date: November 16th 2018. Label: Subsound Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Si Non Sedes iS - LIVE MMVII – Tracklisting

1.Doomdance 09:19

2.Sussurri Di Nascita Celeste/Grateful to Jerry 08:24

3.875 10:45

4.Don Bastiano 07:37

5.Tempus Inane Flago Requiem Spatiumque Furori 18:34

6.Live Jam on Sussurri Theme (INEDIT VINYL ONLY bonus track) 07:55

7.Doomdance Apocalypse '80 mix(VINYL ONLY bonus track;from " Split 2010 " digital ep) 08:42

Review

I’ve lost count of the the number of times that I’ve reviewed or featured this LIVE album from Italian Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers – L’Ira Del Baccano. Si Non Sedes iS - LIVE MMVII is the album that perhaps started my love affair with Instrumental Doom Metal and perhaps the band as well. I first came across this band back in 2008 when I first became aware of the album. L’Ira Del Baccano offered this album as a free download even back then. Even when bands offering free albums was pretty much uncommon compared to now.

The album totally blew my mind with it’s non-stop delivery of epic psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal sounds that sees the band adding elements of trippy Sludge Rock on the later stages of the album.

Si Non Sedes iS - LIVE MMVII is one of my all-time favourite LIVE albums that I still listen to this day. If you’re a fan of Instrumental Rock/Metal then this is an album you cannot ignore. Songs such as Doomdance, 875 and the intense 18 minute epic Tempus Inane Flago Requiem Spatiumque Furori still has the power to excite and leave you in a hypnotic drugged out trance.

Now in 2018 the band have finally decided to re-release the album on Vinyl. Plus the band have added two songs to the album as well. So you’re treated to almost 70 minutes of top-class Italian Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal from one of the best instrumental bands around.

I’ve been a long-time fan and champion of the band and I was kinda honoured when the band asked me to do a press release for this reissue. So I’m going to post what I wrote for the album below. As I feel it best describes the album:

“Why should you be excited for a Vinyl Reissue of a Live Album that was released in 2007 and one that was criminally ignored when it was originally released.. Well the answer is simple. L'Ira Del Baccano released a heavy spaced out and psychedelic classic riff-fest that is Si Non Sedes iS ...LIVE

This live album was ahead of it’s time when it was released. As the band fused heavy doom metal riffs against a Psychedelic Stoner/Space Rock backdrop.

You never really heard anything like this back in 2007/08 which is when I first came across the band. The heavy psychedelic guitars instantly draw you in from the epic opening sounds of DOOMDANCE and right upto the heavy sludgy guitars of the 18 minute epic - Tempus Inane Flago, Requiem Spatiumque Furori . If you’re a fan of Instrumental Psychedelic Stoner Rock then accept no substitute these guys are the real deal and L’IRA DEL BACCANO are your new cosmic overlords that you need in your life right now….”

You know what to do…..

Words by Steve Howe

You can buy the album here via Subsound Records and BandCamp.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Wasted Theory - Warlords Of The New Electric (Album Review)

Release date: October 30th 2018. Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl/Cassette

Warlords Of The New Electric – Tracklisting

1.Rawhide Hellride 03:55

2.Drug Buzzard 04:14

3.Bongronaut 05:38

4.The Son of a Son of a Bitch 03:52

5.Bastard County 05:00

6.Heavy Bite 03:34

7.Weed Creature 04:46

8.Doomslut Rodeo 05:25

Members

Larry Jackson, Jr.- Vocals/Guitars

Andrew Petkovic - Guitars

Brendan Burns - Drums

Review

Wasted Theory return with another round of Southern Rock/Metal blended with classic Stoner Rock sounds. Warlords Of The New Electric is an album that’s on far too short in my mind. As the band present you with an album that runs for 36 minutes or so. I would of loved a few more songs just to spend more time with this great band. However Wasted Theory maximize every second with heavy powerful sounds that sees them drawing influences from the NOLA scene, Thin Lizzy and Orange Goblin.

The music is fast-paced and with a good old fashioned Classic/Hard Rock energy with the band switching from modern Stoner Rock/Metal grooves and top-notch Thin Lizzy classic guitar riffage. The album can be very psychedelic at times with opening song – Rawhide Hellride – having a combination of NOLA riffs, Southern Rock and Swampedelic epic guitar jams. Wasted Theory are a very tight unit on Warlords Of The New Electric proves that theory right with the band not wasting a single riff.

Songs such as Drug Buzzard, Bongronaut and The Son of a Son of A Bitch – only embrace the Swampedelic/Southern Rock sounds further but with a great sense of humour as well especially on The Son of Son of A Bitch.

I have to say that I’ve been disappointed by a lot of Southern Rock/Metal albums over the last few years but Wasted Theory have restored my faith in that genre of music. As this album is so damn catchy with highly infectious vocals and lyrics to match.

Another highlight of the album is how Wasted Theory stick to a winning formula and never decide to change directions by fusing different elements of music just for the hell of it. Wasted Theory impress even more on the second half of the album with Bastard County, Heavy Bite and Doomslut Rodeo. As the band carries on the wicked sense of humour spliced throughout the album.

The production is stunning with Wasted Theory putting in an assured and highly confident performance. I don’t think the band have ever sounded this good or even this HEAVY. And that’s saying something for Wasted Theory. As the band always release quality sounding albums.

Warlords Of The New Electric is Wasted Theory’s best album to date and one that will only enhance their well deserved reputation within the Stoner Rock/Metal scene as one of the best bands currently around today.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Leanne at Mettle Media PR for the promo. You can buy the album from their BandCamp Page and Argonauta Records now.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

HUATA Return With Their New Album Lux Initiatrux Terrae. Experience The New Single - The Solar Work

French Psychedelic Doom Metallers HUATA return after a 6 year absence with their stunning new album - Lux Initiatrux Terrae

The beast that is Huata has finally awaken and they are back with a renewed sense of vigour, armed with an album that is epic in scale in every sense of the word, big riffs, bigger melodies and bathed in both light and darkness, “Lux Initiatrux Terrae” is one of the stand out records of 2018. Spread over one hour, Huata with captivate, enthral and mesmerize the listener, with their utterly stunning and beguiling new record which will remind you of ANCESTORS, YOB and RAMESSES.

You can hear a new single for the album below:

You can buy the album from the links below:

http://musicfearsatan.com/eshop/huata... (dark marbled blue 2xvinyl LP) http://musicfearsatan.com/eshop/huata... (black 2xVinyl LP) http://musicfearsatan.com/eshop/huata... (CD) https://seeingredrecords.bandcamp.com... U.S. https://thesludgelord.bandcamp.com/al... UK
* each format has its own unique album cover

Follow Seeing Red Records:
http://www.seeingredrecords.com https://seeingredrecords.bandcamp.com https://www.facebook.com/seeingredrec... https://www.instagram.com/seeing_red_...

When The Boss Took On The Helmet - Alex Hurst Interviews BARBARIAN HERMIT

Barbarian Hermit are a UK Sludge/Stoner/Doom Metal Band who have been making a name for themselves recently with their own style of heavy music.

The band have just released their stunning new album Solitude And Savagery which is currently receiving a ton of great reviews.

I’ll include the official press bio about the band below.

Hailing from Manchester, UK, BARBARIAN HERMIT are scheduled to release their album Solitude and Savagery on November 16th via APF Records. The quintet play a heady mix of down-tuned, fuzz-laden guitars kicking out some of the raunchiest riffs in rock over elephantine grooves to create a sound that is as irresistibly catchy as it is crushingly heavy.

Working with the legendary Chris Fielding at Skyhammer Studios, the producer behind such mammoth sounds as Electric Wizard, Conan, Primordial, Witchsorrow, Winterfylleth and mastered by James Plotkin (Khanate, OLD), BARBARIAN HERMIT’s Solitude and Savagerybears seven bruising tracks of pummelling groove metal that smoulders with swampy rawness and feral energy.

The band have been gigging heavily around the UK for the last few years. Recently, playing at big events like HRH festival, Bloodstock Festival and supporting big names like Raging Speedhorn, Dopelord and Crowbar. Their debut self-titled EP came out in early 2016 and received rave reviews from the press and will follow this up with their debut album Solitude and Savagery which is set for release from APF Records in November 2018.

Now I normally interview the bands on the blog. However, we have something different for you today. As we have a special guest interviewing Barbarian Hermit. 

Step forward, Alex Hurst. Alex is the lead singer from BOSS KELOID who released one of the best albums of the year with Melted On The Inch. So take it away Alex…

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Hello there you bunch of barbarian bastards. It is I Alexander John Leslie Hurst from the band Boss Keloid and I demand you please answer these questions as honestly as you can with no hesitation or delay.

1- Where does the name of the band originate from?

Ed - One day, early on in the band, we were at practice and we had a strange experience. A lightning bolt shot through us all and ended up being absorbed by Mike. He levitated, glowing; uttering the words "Barbarian Hermit" before his guitar flew up to him and he churned out the riff that is now "No Sleep".

2- You have 5 members in the band, if you were to add a 6th what would that said members role be?

Adam - It would be good to have a sauciére on stage with us, keeping a constant supply of thick, delicious gravy simmering away. Like nu metal bands have DJs on the decks, our guy would be creating sweet music with a stove top cooker.

3- A rumour has been floating about that you have been dishing out gravy at your shows. What is your preference in consistency of your gravy?

Gaz - The rumours are true my dude! For best results the following recipe must be followed…

• Big Daddy Reegs’ riff stock 
• Texbook Robertshaw thickening groove 
• Spadge Fafners bottom end juice 
• Gaz’s hench beats 
• Eds vocal seasoning 

Recommended to be served at loud volumes with accompanying gravy boat full of Buckfast.

Mmmmmm. Gravy.

4- Your new album “Solitude & Savagery” sounds bloody great (I have had a sneek preview. As I sing on a track I only think that’s fair). How long was the process of writing these songs, was it an intense process or did the songs & riffs flow out of you with ease?

Gaz - We started writing as soon as the new line up was in place. All in all the process took about 9 months. Once we started, the riffs and ideas came thick and fast. We were focussed on writing the best most interesting songs we could, and had a good idea of what sort of vibe we wanted so they came together quite organically. We were adamant that we had to challenge ourselves at every stage and we think that helped us stay focused. We’re incredibly proud of what we created and how the record turned out.

5- What albums are you listening to and digging at the moment

Ed - Obsolete by Fear Factory. It's a great example of a concept album and an apt vision of the dark night of our soul by way of the singularity, setting into motion our own destruction. I love that as it means the opposite is also true, we hold both doom and hope within us. Even in the abyss, a light always shines.

Adam - The new one by The Prodigy 'No Tourists’ SLAPS! I've barely listened to anything else since it came out.

Gaz - Intronaught: The Direction Of Last Things. Loads goin on on this album. Proper groovin my truffles!!!

Rob - Coheed & Cambria: The Unheavenly Creatures.

Mike - Cypress Hill: Elephants on Acid

6- If Andrew Field (Aka APF Records, your label) was in a burning building and he had the only master of your new album but you could only save one or the other then what would be your barbarian choice?

Mike - Easy. Mr Field is a man of many names, such as “Uncle Dad”, “The Sambuca Leprechaun” and “Pretty Bollocks”. His most abiding sobriquet however is SATAN. For reasons that we could not and should not discuss. Given this infernal denomination I’m pretty sure he’d fair well in high temperatures and stroll out of said blaze with his faculties intact.

That said, we’re pulling our panties aside at the mere suggestion of returning to Sky Hammer to record again so starting the album from scratch would be something of an indulgence.

7- What are your up & coming touring / gigging plans and will we be seeing different varieties of gravy and gravy serving devices at these shows?

Mike - We’re currently in negotiations pertaining to a European Tour with a band who shall remain undisclosed at this time. Suffice it to say that they are fat, loud, evil and highly skilled at cannabis and kebabs. Our kind of people. There’s some serial killer obsessed cultic weirdo’s in Japan who might be interested in having us over for a Netflix and chill soon too..

We’re always in the hermitage diligently taking watch over the gravy cauldron and summoning the ancient gravy gods to bless our secret sauce. The delivery apparatus is usually anything that takes our fancy in the heat of the moment. It could be a penis, a dog, or the head of a decapitated DJ who blocked our van in with his Dad’s car. Anything really!

8- Your guitar player Mike is known to some as the “sexy big boy who will f**k you with his 6 string toy”. Would you say this is a fair representation of him?

Rob - Yes, but it's also an understatement to say the most. He goes by many names. Reegs. Big Daddy Reegs. Uncle Thunder. The Octagon. Ginger Flash. Tennents Superman. Alan Titchmarsh. Mike.

He's a tree dwelling, phone losing, baby-making gravy waterfall.

He's the eye of Thundera who gives us sight beyond sight. But most importantly, he's our cuddly little riff machine. And he WILL hunt you for sport.

9- If you could get your music in any film as a soundtrack, what film would you choose?

Ed - While tempted to say something sinister, dark or multi faceted like a Dario Argento, David Lynch, Darren Aronofsky or Guillermo Del Toro movie… I'd be inclined to say the next Avengers movie… but I'll say the Thomas the Tank Engine movie because we had a nod to him in our video to “Burn the Fire" and because my son loves trains!

10- describe your barbaric sound in no more than 4 words

Adam - Hench riffs. Creamworthy grooves.

11- Last of all. If Boss Keloid and barbarian Hermit were to have a baby what would be the gender and the name of the beautiful child

Rob - It wouldn't be human. It would be an entire planet. With a giant cock and balls and heroically beautiful tits. And its title would be Maxton the Powerful - Ruler of Fuck Town.

Words by Alex Hurst and BARBARIAN HERMIT

Thanks to Lisa at Hold Tight PR! for arranging this awesome interview. Thanks to the guys for doing the interview.

Solitude And Savagery is available to buy now on CD/DD via APF Records now.

FOLLOW THE BAND

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/barbarianhermit/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/barbarianhermit
BANDCAMP: https://barbarianhermit.bandcamp.com/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/barbarianhermit/
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5l3TCGNbFvd6uJOoV6Z6Qo

Here's the new video for BLACK MASS from their stunning new album Solitude And Savagery.

Pre-order the album from:

CD and Merch: https://apfrecords.bigcartel.com/

Digital: https://barbarianhermit.bandcamp.com/

Forthcoming gigs 

ALBUM LAUNCH WITH BATTALIONS  - 16/11 - Solitude & Savagery Album Launch @ The Refectory, Manchester

17/11 - Dark City 2018, Northern Monk Brewery, Leeds

22/12 - Rebellion Christmas Party, Manchester