WINO - Forever Gone (Album Review)

Release date: June 26^th 2020. Label: Ripple Music. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Forever Gone – Tracklisting

1.Forever Gone

2.Taken

3.The Song's At The Bottom Of The Bottle 04:42

4.No Wrong

5.Dark Ravine

6.Dead Yesterday

7.So Fine

8.Crystal Madonna

9.Lavender and Sage

10.Was, Is, and Shall Be

11.Isolation 04:12

Review

I was surprised when Ripple Music announced they had signed Doom Metal Legend WINO to their ranks and will be releasing his first solo album in a decade. This announcement shows you how far that Ripple Music have come since starting way back in 2010.

Forever Gone is the name of the album and this classic WINO through and through with the album dealing with personal issues such as loss and darkness set against a backdrop of acoustic songs that bring a Doom based atmosphere that feature the legendary sound that WINO is known for. There are 11 songs on the album and you will hear some of the best songs to date that WINO has written for his solo career.

The album starts with the excellent sounding title-track and it sees WINO in a heartfelt mood with a gloomy guitar only for company and the music has echoes of Americana and Psychedelic Rock. WINO is in master storyteller mode on this song and for the majority of the album. The lyrics have extra personal weight to them and you feel the struggles that WINO deals with on this song.

Second song – Taken – opens with a slight Americana/Country groove with a twinge of Psych Rock with the classical style of lyrics that is full of pain and emotion. The blues based guitars are superbly played but it’s WINO vocal delivery that makes song truly standout.

Third song – The Song’s At The Bottom Of The Bottle – is classic WINO through and through with the lyrics once again showing a dark world that WINO has no doubt lived and explaining his experiences touring across the globe. The music is beautifully played with the Blues/Doomed Out riffs making this one of the standout songs on the album.

Fourth song – No Wrong – carries on the emotionally driven style of music with great vocals from everyone concerned. WINO does show his anger and frustration on this song but offers a more reflective outlook as well. There is some epic psychedelic acoustic guitars held on this song and it’s a welcome addition to an already superb sounding and inventive album.

Forever Gone has seven more songs for WINO to impress you with. The album does take darker turns with other songs on the album but WINO still manages to find the time to offer a more hopeful experience as well. That’s always been one of WINO greatest strengths on whatever project he’s involved with over the past 44 years or so.

Other great songs to check out are: Dead Yesterday, You’re So Fine, Crystal Madonna and a cover of Joy Division classic – Isolation. I know that WINO has performed Isolation a number of times over the years with most memorably Conny Ochs. Though, it’s good to hear a proper studio version and WINO brings his own spin to an already classic song.

Forever Gone is an expertly produced album with something for everyone to enjoy and admire. The album also proves why WINO is considered The Godfather Of Doom Metal. He’s been going as a musician for almost 45 years now and that’s the stuff of legend in my book.

There’s a few solo albums being released this year from artists who are part of famous Doom/Sludge Metal bands with Kirk Windstein already releasing his solo album earlier this year. Thomas V Jäger of Monolord fame will be releasing his solo album very soon. 

However, Forever Gone is perhaps the best solo album I’ve heard this year and is an album of the year contender and even a future classic album in the making.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo. Forever Gone will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music from June 26^th 2020.

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Wounded Cross - Our Future Is Dead (Album Review)

Release date: June 26^th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Our Future Is Dead – Tracklisting

Our Future is Dead - 00:00

Shadowplay - 01:47

Ascension - 5:01

Ashes - 9:02

Endless Battle - 14:10

Tainted Legacy - 17:43

Rough Spark - 22:55

Sad Future - 26:06

Cosmic Annihilation - 28:38

Members

Ian Atkinson

Graham Bliss

Tom love

Paul Revell

Robert Miles Barnet

Rowan Ward & Kaz

Bio

An enigma wrapped in a legend. We played approximately 27 gigs in our short history, we formed in 2014, practiced for a year before our first gig in 2015, and ended after our last gig in 2017. This album release is the last and final recordings of Wounded Cross. They are a snap shot of a band that truly didn't really fit in with any band we ever played with. Be it The Skull, Ohhms, Witchsorrrow, Kaine, or any of the varied and superb bands that we shared stages with. Our sound was our own, and every song was different in its own way. Our future is dead fits for the album because of the lyrical content about the end times, and the fact that the band is truly over, this album ends it fully and finally.

This album will be free to download through bandcamp, unless you are willing to pay £5 for one of our final Tshirts in a package deal. There will be no physical version of this album unless there is sudden unprecedented demand for it, but hope to put it up on Spotify. This recording is not polished. It's very RAW, and it's LIVE. We felt this fits with the style of the music and ethos of wounded cross.

We are proud of the songs and this album is our lasting legacy. We hope you enjoy it. Thank you for following us. We love you all.

Review

It’s pretty bold of Wounded Cross to release their new album – Our Future Is Dead. As the band already split-up about 3 years ago and this is their final release. A collection of tracks that are being released upon to the world and whilst it’s not the best sounding album, Wounded Cross have managed to release a record that remains true to the classic Doom Metal/Heavy Metal scene with elements of Black Sabbath jamming with Saxon.

Wounded Cross are firmly rooted in the historic and long-standing style of Hard Rock and Classic Riffs. The vocals are delivered with an aggressive uproar with shades of Ozzy Osboune, Bruce Dickinson and Biff Byford. So if you’re a fan of Old-School UK Hard Rock and Heavy Metal then Wounded Cross will have all bases covered.

Our Future Is Dead is not the best produced album and it wasn’t meant to be. The songs lack focus in places and could have done with a better narrative. However, this is still an album that does a lot of things right such as bringing a lot of great cinematic style Doom Metal parts on the album. The band do show some nice creative touches of Prog Rock and Jazzy interludes on the later stages of the album.

Overall, this is a solid and superbly entertaining album especially if you’re looking for vintage thrills and spills then Our Future Is Dead is the album for you.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

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PESTA Release New Video For: Blood Mists / Moloch's Children

Over a year has passed since the release of "Faith Bathed in Blood", and the brazilian doom has return, Pesta has come with some powerful moments playing live on the promotion of the album, with this new music video from the songs "Blood Mists" and "Moloch's Children", this ritual came immersed in these almost unimaginable times that we are living today, in which nothing seemed stronger than having the memory and longing for the return of these moments.

Blood Mists / Moloch's Children from the album Faith Bathed in Blood

Links:

youtube.com/pestadoom
facebook.com/pestadoom
instagram.com/pestadoom
pestadoom.bandcamp.com

Festival News - Doom Heart Fest. IV Edition

We’re proud to present you our Doom Heart Fest. IV Edition!

For the first time in collaboration with the guys from the Italian Doom Metal band (EchO), that will help us for the organization of the festival.

As usual, the goal for us is to bring the best bands possible, from our home country Italy and abroad together, from different sub-genres of doom metal, for an event to be remembered, and this year is no exception!

Here you are, in order of appearance, the five amazing bands that will share the stage of Slaughter Club, Saturday December 12th:

Verlaine - Orchestral Doom (IT)
Catalepsia - Gothic Doom / Death (LV)
Pilgrimage - Early 90s inspired Doom / Death (MT)
Descend into Despair - Experimental Atmospheric Doom (RO)
Hamferð - “Faroese Doom Metal” (FO)

All details on the Fb page of the event, Doom Heart Fest. IV Edition

Voidian - Through The Eyes Of The Flame (Album Review)

Release date: June 12^th 2020. Label: PolderRecords. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Through The Eyes Of The Flame – Tracklisting

1.Ritual Fire 09:15

2.Nameless Night 10:17

3.Long Road Home 06:53

4.City of Dread 07:00

5.The Murderous Sea 15:42

Members

Dr.Witch: Bass and vocals

Mr.Void: Drums and vocals

Sgt.Doom: Guitars

Review

Through The Eyes Of The Flame is the debut album from Belgian Post-Rock/Post-Metallers -Voidian – who splice elements of Stoner Metal, Psych, Doom and Sludge Metal into their overall sound. The album is quite dense and heavy from the start which allows the band to create a dark style of music that’s beautifully heavy with aggressive amounts of muscular anger to match.

The songs are complex and quite long for the majority of the songs. As Voidian flit between Psychedelic Stoner grooves with a commanding Post-Rock/Post-Metal presence before switching to another style of music and you can feel that style of music being put to great effect on the excellent opening song – Ritual Fire.

Ritual Fire offers 9 minutes plus of heavy stylized Post-Rock/Post-Metal passages with modern Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs that never feel out of place despite the many different genres the band play throughout the album. The spaced out and psychedelic atmospherics create a murky and dark world with the band playing at a slow-to-mid pace and that allows the listener to soak everything in.

With a band consisting of members called Dr Witch, Mr Void and Sgt Doom, you would expect a band to be playing music inspired by Black Sabbath and KYUSS. Though, these guys feel inspired by bands such as Neurosis, CONAN and COUGH but they’re still quite clever to allow their music to be inspired by a whole range of different bands but still creating their own heavy monolithic and progressive sound.

Voidian continue playing their highly emotionally style of music on 4 more great songs and things become even heavier and stranger on the second song Nameless Night with a clever use of different vocals leading the way. With Dr Witch and Mr Void performing clean vocals and harsh growls for a demented team-up of sorts.

The heavy distorted guitars bring the “DOOM METAL” atmosphere of the album to hold everything together whilst the band carry on playing the different riffs on the remainder of the album.

Through The Eyes Of The Flame did take myself a few listens to fully appreciate and truly understand what a hugely talented bunch of musicians Voidian actually are. I was fully sold on this album after my 4^th listen and after that I couldn’t stop listening to this record. This is an album with something to say and the powerful sounds of Voidian will offer you around 50 minutes of brilliant entertainment.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to PolderRecords for the promo. Sage PR for the promo. Through The Eyes Of The Flame is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via PolderRecords.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Red Mesa - The Path To The Deathless (Album Review)

Release date: June 12^th 2020. Label: Desert Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

The Path To The Deathless – Tracklisting

1.Ghost Bell 02:25

2.The Path To The Deathless 06:51

3.Desert Moon (Feat. Dave Sherman) 06:30

4.Death I Am 04:57

5.Disharmonious Unlife (Feat. Wino) 07:42

6.Revelation 02:31

7.Swallowed By The Sea 09:04

Members

Brad Frye: Guitars and Lead Vocals

Roman Barham: Drums and Backing Vocals

Alex Cantwell: Bass and Backing Vocals

Review

Red Mesa aim big for their 3^rd full length album The Path To The Deathless and this conveys the dark and bleak times the world is currently facing. As this is a bleak and dark album that channels the more inner turmoil's of Desert/Stoner Metal that you initially would expect. The album makes no apologies for it’s unyielding bleak vision an Red Mesa draft in some bona-fide Doom Metal legends for this album with guest appearances from WINO and Dave Sherman on two of the albums standout songs.

Maybe the band have drifted into heavier NOLA based territory compared to their previous releases when you hear the excellent two opening songs – Ghost Bell and The Path To The Deathless – which both convey a brooding Desert/Stoner Metal groove which do take some time to get used to. The Desert Rock sounds are more depressing to hear in places and the vocals are directly bleak whilst telling an almost apocalyptic story.

The opening two songs prepare you for what type of music that Red Mesa play for the whole album but there are some hidden surprises along the way with harsh Psychedelic sounds adding a more cinematic feel to the album. The songwriting is great for the most part. There’s a couple rough moments where the lyrics feel out of place especially on Death I am. However, that’s my only complaint about the album. 

The album really shines when the guest vocals from Dave Sherman on Desert Moon and WINO providing Vocals and Lead Guitars on Disharmonious Unlife. As everything builds up for a heavier progressive moment on those two songs and perhaps the heaviest and standout riffs on the albums appear. Red Mesa do feel heavily inspired by The Obsessed on this album and that’s no bad thing. Red Mesa still create their own unique brand of storytelling on this album and leave you wanting more.

Red Mesa adapt a heavier style of Sludge Metal on this album and this allows a more world-weary Psychedelic feel to the whole experience of the album which is perhaps bolstered top-notch work behind the scenes. Red Mesa employed Matthew Tobias to record the album and John McBain (ex-Monster Magnet) to master the album. So this album has quality running through it’s DNA and that makes this such a quality sounding album.

This album is a concept album and Red Mesa have created a captivating story to match the world-class music that’s played on the album. Just expect a trippy and surreal nightmarish journey on the path of Desert/Stoner Metal Righteousness.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

You can buy The Path To The Deathless from Desert Records now. EU/UK Orders can be bought here.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

An Interview With EMPRESS

I first became aware of Progressive Sludge/Stoner Metallers – EMPRESS – back in 2018 when I first heard and reviewed their debut EP – Reminiscence. The band released a stylish take on all things Progressive Metal, Sludge Metal, Doom Metal, Stoner Metal with heavy Psychedelic influences. Perhaps taking influence from ELDER, BARONESS and MASTODON on their debut EP, the band showed a lot promise and I wanted to hear more.

EMPRESS suffered a personal loss when bassist Brenden Gunn sadly passed away last year. I was saddened by the news as I talked to Brenden through Social Media multiple times and he was a lovely person and very down to earth. 

I wondered how EMPRESS would carry on and I was surprised to receive their debut full length album – Premonition – recently. I listened to the album straightaway and was blown away by how different the band sounded compared to their debut EP. This was a band with a more original and mature sound of their own. Emotionally charged lyrics and powerful grooves that made you think what you were actually listening to. 

Premonition is a wonderful album and I’ll be reviewing it soon.

I caught up with Chris (Drums) and Peter (Guitar/Vocals) to discuss the evolution of EMPRESS and the making of their new album.

Hi Guys. Thanks for doing this interview. How are things with you today.

Not only good my friend, but good enough.

Before we talk about your new album, I want to say that I was deeply saddened and shocked by the sudden loss of Brenden Gunn last year. I was a huge fan of Brenden’s work and I’ll miss his undeniable talent and spirit. I offer my belated condolences not only to EMPRESS but to Brenden’s family and friends.

Thank you for saying that.

For people not in the know. Can you give a brief history of how the band came together and where it is today.

This band started when Chris and I drove down to Seattle to see Elder play. During the show we looked at each other and said, “Let’s do that”. Chris asked Brenden to play bass and that’s it. All three of us were good friends for many years prior. Today we have a brief idea of the next steps we want to take and go from there. Currently we want to release the album we made together which is dedicated to Brenden and meant to celebrate his life. 

How would you describe your own sound. As you guys sound quite different compared to your 2018 debut release Reminiscence

We agree with you on how different we sound since then and that was the intention. For years we were trying to find our sound and we feel that this release is the start of that sound we want to create. Oddly enough, a lot of what you hear on the new album was written during that time. While releasing other material we still worked on this full-length.

We are here to talk about your superb new album – Premonition – which I will admit is a wonderful and deeply emotional album with it’s fair share of dark moments and uplifting moments as well. What can people expect from the album.

Thank you again. This is the heaviest thing we have done. It is the most dynamic as well. The lyrics are more cryptic purposely to invoke an emotional response because of what the songs are about, which is mental health.

We cover a lot of ground in 48 minutes. The most riffing we have ever done. The most risk, song wise. The biggest statement we have made.

Peter, reading the PR notes that came with the promo, it states you drew on a lot of personal experiences on making this record. Was that a hard thing for you to when making the album or was part of your own personal therapeutic process.

Each release we have done has been a whole overlapping story. Each one has been therapeutic in a different way.

This one I saved for the full-length album because it needs to be the biggest statement. The best riffs, the best ideas and the best lyrics we have. Was it hard to write? Absolutely. All of our music was for me. This time around we had years of practice at it. I am relieved that I got it out of my system.

Chris – What were your experiences making this album. Did you draw on your own personal experiences yourself when making this album?

We had more time to work on this album than anything we released previously. Our first record was intended to be a demo to get the ideas down before I moved to Europe so we wouldn't forget the songs. But we ended up really liking them when they came back after mixing. The follow-up split album we did with our friends in Piece was recorded fairly soon after we decided to do the split as the songs were written already. With this album we really had time to flesh things out. There were many new ideas thrown around, some of which didn’t make it on the album.

Did Brenden play Bass on Premonition and did he get the chance to hear the final version of the album. 

Yes, he played bass on it. Yes, he heard the final version. So has his family.

What do Brenden’s family and friends think of the record. As the album is quite an emotional experience. I won’t lie that it made myself shed a tear or two remembering about close family and friends who are no longer here. Which I ultimately thank EMPRESS for.

His mother and brother are proud of him. Then and now. It is clear his family and friends, including us, all feel the same way. We played Brenden’s favorite song that we made which is one this album. The reaction of almost 200 people was enough for us to know how people feel about hearing it.

Who is releasing the album and what formats is the album being released upon.

It is a self-release and we have two songs currently out on all formats everywhere. It comes out on July 24th on all digital formats—YouTube, Bandcamp. Physicals are CD and Cassette.

Are there any plans for a Vinyl Release in the future.

There are plans for a vinyl release at some point. Since it is a self-release and we have to release it in steps. Vinyl is quite expensive and we need enough support to do it first.

What comes first when recording new music. Lyrics or Music.

Music. Lyrics are always being written and the music needs to be there for context.

COVID-19 has pretty much put a stop to all life as we know it for the time being. How big of an impact has it affected you guys. And how are you surviving in this stressful time.

We are surviving like everyone else. Not being able to perform how we want hurts. But that doesn’t mean we cannot keep making new music and content. So that is what we will do.

When this whole COVID-19 scenario settles down or goes away, What are the future plans for EMPRESS. Will you be touring Stateside or doing a bigger tour of Europe. As you toured Germany not so long ago.

Our plan for 2020 was the U.S. For 2021, we will remain open to offers anywhere.

How was your experiences touring in Germany. 

It was a dream come true for all of us. Chris was there for a year actually, so he was the reason for us being able to go to Germany. For any band wanting to go there, it is worth it. Germany funds the arts like it needs to be and other countries should take note. The shows we played, big or small, we were simply grateful for even being there.

The album cover is awesome and shows you what to expect with this album. Who designed the cover and how much input did you have into the overall design of the cover.

Orion Landau did the initial artwork. Robin Harris did the art direction and layout afterward. The artwork was a long process and it was absolutely worth it. Working with both of them was awesome. They are both artists and wanted our input, so it felt like a collaboration with both of them rather than a hired gun scenario.

What have been your favourite records that you’ve heard this year. Regardless of any genre.

Peter — My favorite record to listen to this year has to be the latest from Brutus, Chapel of Disease, Bölzer, Tool, Heilung, Wardruna, Holy Fawn, Myrkur, Gunship, Andrew Judah, Chve, Amenra, Colter Wall and Wayfarer. It is hard to narrow down the list. As soon as I heard any of these though I could feel that in my chest. 

Chris — After Hours from The Weeknd, Blood Machines from Carpenter Brut, and Saturnine and Iron Jaw and 1x1 from All Them Witches. 

What is your musical equipment setup when playing live or recording in the studio. Do you have an an advanced rig or basic rig. (You can tell I’m not much of a musician. HA HA).

Peter — Dunable Guitar, Orange cabs Peavey 6505 head and my pedalboard. Both are used live and in the studio in the same way. In the studio we played live together to a click. The energy we have together needs to be there before doing anything else.

Chris — Currently playing a stainless steel Ludwig kit from the 70's which I am in love with. Zildjian cymbals and DW hardware. Los Cabos sticks. Studio and live is the same. 

In the studio Brenden used Ampeg svt Classic, Darkglass b7k ultra v2. Ibanez bass, Fender Jazz Bass, Bass Wah, Boss space echo, EHX phaser, Fulltone OCD and a clone od pedal.

Thanks for doing this interview. Before you go, do you have any words of wisdom that you want to say to your fans.

The point of our music is to empower people that do not feel empowered. Whoever that may be. After this album is out, more will come. Be ready.

Words by Steve Howe and EMPRESS

Thanks to EMPRESS for doing this interview. Premonition will be available to buy on Cassette/CD/DD from July 24th 2020.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp | Linktree