Robustfellow Prods Release PYRAWEED New Album 420 on CD and Cassette Tape

 

Robustfellow Prods have recently released the CD and Cassette Tape Versions of Doom/Stoner Metallers PYRAWEED thrilling new album 420 which was originally released on 20th April 2020. 

I missed reviewing this WEEDIAN based bad-boy and it's what you would want and expect from an album influenced by the whole WEEDIAN Doom/Stoner Metal scene. Loads Of Riffs, Distorted Grooves all powered by the mighty WEED. 

PYRAWEED have been doing their thing since 2015 and has seen the band release an impressive discography with 5 full length albums and 2 live albums within that period. It's seen the band gather a dedicated loyal following within the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal community and it's not hard to see why.

420 is their most impressive release to date with a diverse range of ideas blazing throughout the entire album with songs such as Acid Flood, Tuesdead and Illegal Song being the main highlights of the album.

PYRAWEED worship at the Riff Altar of BLACK SABBATH and SLEEP. 

So it's good to see Robustfellow Prods releasing a different variety of physical products from the album such as CD's and Cassette Tapes from their BandCamp Page

You should all check out PYRAWEED brilliant new cover of The Who classic song - BORIS THE SPIDER.

PYRAWEED Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Dixie Goat - There's No Light Without Darkness (Album Review)

Release date: November 06th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

There’s No Light Without Darkness – Tracklisting

1.There's No Light Without Darkness 04:44
2.Dancin' On Your Grave 02:56
3.Two Faces 05:35
4.Widow's Tear 04:39
5.Green Karma 03:02 

6.Zuma 02:09
7.Supershit 02:35
8.From One Hell To Another 06:04

Members

Nikk: Vocals, Guitars
KF: Bass
Seb: Drums

Review

There’s No Light Without Darkness is the new album from Doom/Stoner Rockers Dixie Goat. Dixie Goat are a band from the South American scene and one that is being compared to Corrosion Of Conformity for this album and I can see why. This album shares a lot of themes, ideas and sounds from the legendary band but still allowing Dixie Goat to bring their own stamp of authority to the scene.

The album isn’t what I call original but there is lot of thrilling heavy sounds that march on the right side of menacing Doom/Stoner riffs with electrifying vocals to match. The album is quite short running at around 30 minutes. Though there is still a lot go through with Dixie Goat adding a NOLA atmospheric style of sound from start to finish.

The songs are all great and each allow the ban to wear their musical influences on their sleeve with a dark mythology written around the lyrics especially on the opening few songs of – There’s No Light Without Darkness, Dancin’ On Your Grave and Two Faces.

Dixie Goat settle down into a fast pace from these opening songs and I can’t help be impressed by the thumping bass playing of KF who puts in a rough and tough performance that allow Dixie Goat’s heavy grooves come to life. Though, Nikk and Seb provide epic support on Guitars/Vocals and Drums respectively.

There are some elements of Psych Rock and Grunge Rock hidden behind the dark grooves on this album and it was a welcome addition to Dixie Goat’s overall sound. The band have managed to get Grunge Pioneer & Producer Jack Endino to master this album and it’s a marriage made in heaven or perfect match made in hell.

Dixie Goat new album is a welcome addition to the Doom/Stoner Metal world and will take your mind away from the crazy shit going on in the world with it’s cinematic blend of exciting sounds that make you want to hear this album over and over again.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

South African Desert Rock four-piece Monstroid reveal video for new single Shadow Beast

South African desert rock four-piece Monstroid reveal video for new single Shadow Beast

Monstroid is the passion project of 4 friends from Cape Town, born out of a deeply shared appreciation for writing, making, and sharing tectonic plate-shifting music. From the rumbling depths emerges a melodic molten soundscape. From the skies a flaming fireball of fuzz. Monstroid resides where these forces collide. For lovers of growling guitars, distorted groove laden bass, melodic vocals and exploding drums of thunder.

“It’s been one hell of a journey since our last album. The world has changed in so many ways, but one thing that remained was our love for making music. We have been busy making music videos, lockdown videos, playthroughs and putting the final touches on our second studio album.” – Andrew Pullen, guitars. 

During the final phase of the album completion, the band were invited to feature on Mongrel Records' FANGS Volume 2, a compilation of killer heavy music from the African continent. They humbly accepted and submitted Shadow Beast for an exclusive early release. The band are excited to share the epic video the track today.

“The childhoods of all four Monstroid members were filled with movies, TV and music from the 80's, which inspires many of the themes and content of the music. Shadow Beast is no exception, with Conan The Destroyer's battle with Toth-Amon being the inspiration behind the track (and the video).” - Monstroid

Shadow Beast is taken from their upcoming album Set 2: Burnt Sky set for release on the 22nd January 2021. Pre-save and pre-orders start on the 18th December 2020.

Shadow Beast is available on all digital platforms including Bandcamp | Spotify | Deezer  | Apple Music

Website

Instagram

YouTube

Facebook

Twitter

Multi-instrumentalist Evert Snyman releases new single Operation Human Shield

Multi-instrumentalist Evert Snyman releases new single Operation Human Shield along with studio performance video. 

One rarely encounters that unique sound that draws you in and alerts your senses…that rare quality in a musician that forces you to listen more closely and pay attention. South African musician and producer Evert Snyman is exactly that – a talented songwriter and performer who has enthralled many an audience with his galvanic melodies, poetic, yet straightforward lyrics and hypnotic rhythms. Based in Johannesburg, Evert has launched and collaborated on various projects, cementing himself as a versatile multi-instrumentalist, the most notorious of these being alternative rock bands, Pink Noise and Pollinator. Recording and producing all his own music at his studio in Auckland Park, he quickly become renowned on the local scene as the go to rock producer, working with bands like Caution Boy, Mad God and Ruff Majik, whose ranks he recently joined as a full time member.

What sets Evert apart from other musicians is the raw honesty of his music. He is a fearless and unabated songwriter and lyricist, speaking to emotions we often keep hidden - even from ourselves. Evert’s powerful vocals range from angst-ridden screams to crystal clear melodies that cut through intense rock guitars, drums, and keys. Today sees the of Operation Human Shield, the first single from his forthcoming second solo album Hot Mess, set for release on the 22nd January 2021 via Mongrel Records. 

“Initially I just wanted to make a song in 6/8 timing with Jazzy drumbeat and piano. I don't know what some my songs are about until long after I've written them, but I think it's safe to say the lockdown had a fair bit of influence on this one.” He comments.

Operation Human Shield is available now on all digital platforms https://orcd.co/operationhumanshield / Bandcamp

Links:

Facebook

YouTube 

Instagram
Bandcamp

Sun Crow - Quest For Oblivion (Album Review)

Release Date: November 11th 2020. Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Quest For Oblivion - Tracklisting

Collapse

Black It Out

End Over End

Fell Across The Sky

Fear

Nothing Behind

Hypersonic

Titans

Members

Ben Nechanicky (gtr)
Brian Steel (bass)
Keith Hastreiter (drum)
Todd Lucas (vox)

Review

Quest For Oblivion is the debut full length album from Seattle based Doom/Stoner Rockers Sun Crow and it’s an album that takes Seattle’s rich and iconic Grunge History and moulds it with a dark gloomy claustrophobic sense of style. The band take the style of Alice In Chains and Soundgarden and run with a despairing Black Sabbath sonic take on all things Doom Metal. Though, Sun Crow take a more Progressive Rock/Metal journey with the majority of the songs lasting between 9 to 11 minutes in length.

Opening song - Collapse - is quite daring in all the right places with the band operating at their own speed with different elements of Doom/Stoner Metal leading the way. The vocals are an interesting choice with a mixture of Clean and Harsh Growls that fit firmly more in the Doom/Sludge Metal camp with a touch of Psychedelic Weirdness giving a more surreal and trippy effect that is superbly heavy on different parts of the song.

Second song - Black It Out - starts very slowly with Sun Crow in no rush to pick up the pace with an interesting style of Distorted grooves and slowly played grooves. It’s still quite heavy with a more “Drone” based quality to it all. A few moments into the song and Sun Crow start playing faster and tighter riffs that soon bring a Black Sabbath flow to the album and it’s a welcome sound still retaining Sun Crow’s vision for the majority of the epic 10 minute plus running time.

There is a lot to take in with Quest For Oblivion. As it runs for around 70 minutes and the majority of that time is taken up by Sun Crow showing how good they are at writing bleak progressive sounds trapped within the Grunge, Doom and Stoner Metal world. The album's best moments are when the Psychedelic moments appear and when Sun Crow slows things right down and let their creative ideas breathe naturally.

Sun Crow finest moments on this album perhaps on the later stages with songs such as Fear, Nothing Behind, Hypersonic and Titans. As the music is more focused here and the more interesting and heaviest riffs appear on the final two songs of Hypersonic and Titans.

You can hear shades of early era Monster  Magnet on this record on the final few songs. So be prepared for when the album takes upon a more Space Rock flavour that the legendary band made famous back in the day. 

The instrumental work is fantastic with heavy guitars and intelligent drumming leading the way. Everything all leads up to an album that is perfectly executed in the riffs and volume department. Maybe, 70 minutes is slightly too long for some but I can’t suggest which songs should have been left off the album. As everything feels naturally in it’s correct place.

If you’re in the mood for a slightly darker and epic style of Grunge, Doom and Stoner Metal then this is the album for you. Sun Crow have delivered a monolithic monster with this album. The album is loud, mean and aggressive with enough attitude to have listeners nodding in agreement.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Temple Of The Fuzz Witch - Red Tide (Album Review)

Release date: October 16th 2020. Label: Interstellar Smoke Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Red Tide – Tracklisting

1.Baphomet 04:58
2.Cherenkov Light 05:30
3.The Others 05:57
4.Dead's Desire 06:13
5.Cimmerian 09:30
6.Agony 07:21
7.Ungoliant 06:15

Review

Temple Of The Fuzz Witch return with their 2nd album - Red Tide - and it's what you expect from this hugely talented outfit. Carrying on with their heavy Doom/Stoner Metal riffs first heard on their last album. The band feel and sound more heavier on this record with the Detroit rockers using their Doom Metal surroundings to their advantage on this record. The vocals are more grounded and you can feel that from the superb opening song – Baphomet.

The song is a gloomy prospect with the mixture of Heavy Metal, Doom Metal, Psych Rock and Stoner Metal being constructed with each passing moment. The heavy guitars are quite FUZZY in places and should appeal to fans of Black Sabbath and Church Of Misery. Well, maybe not as sinister as Church Of Misery but the atmosphere can be just as heavy and the lyrics just as poetic.

Second song – Cherenkov Light – is a more theatrical and progressive style of Doom/Stoner Metal with the band adding surreal Psychedelic noises which only add to the claustrophobic effect. Parts Sabbath and Uncle Acid music worship are instantly recognizable but Temple Of The Fuzz Witch employ their own blend of Heavy Rock/Metal with elements of FUZZ ROCK being used for delicious effect. The song becomes more theatrical in the closing moments and has a more 70s classic Doom Metal feel that only makes the song standout even more.

Third song – The Others – is another deftly played slow effort with the band biding their time for the heavy atmospheric grooves to appear. The vocals are more restrained but are helped along by superb lyrics that really sell the whole vision of the album to the listener. The Psychedelic movements can be heard in the background amongst the heavy riffs and fantastic drumming that the song contains.

Temple Of The Fuzz Witch move into the more heavy Progressive Doom side of life for the next part of the album with songs such as:: Cimmerian and Agony – leading the way for the more interesting creative choices the band have written for this album. I would say Cimmerian is perhaps the standout song on the album.

Though there is a lot to admire with all the songs. As they all bring a sense of individuality to the overall flow and story of the album.

Temple Of The Fuzz Witch have released another excellent record with Red Tide and it’s one that will keep you entertained over and over again.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Warlung - Optical Delusions (Album Review)

Release date: October 09th 2020. Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Optical Delusions – Tracklisting

1.Phantasmagoria 05:30
2.Scorpion In The Sand 04:49
3.Snake Eyes 03:21
4.Sun Eater 05:55
5.Order Of The Solar Temple 06:09
6.Hell On Earth 03:47
7.Devil's Game 05:07
8.No Man's Land 05:12

Members

George Baba – guitar/keys/vocals
Philip Bennett – guitar/vocals
Chris Tamez – bass
Ethan Tamez – drums

Review

Psych Doom Rockers Warlung take a more nuanced and different approach with their latest album Optical Delusions with the band adding a classic Heavy Metal Feel to their music at times. It’s been slightly there on their previous albums but not as dominant on this album. The Horror/Occult Themes are still there with the band giving the Occult Rock Groove a mighty kick-in-the-ass with with heavy slabs of Doom/Stoner Rock. This all mounts upto a fantastic and exciting slice of Modern based Occult/Doom Stoner Rock.

The album opens with Phantasmagoria which is the perfect combination of Halloween based thrills and chills with a lean sounding Stoner Groove that the band have fun playing mixing classic styles of Heavy Metal that reminds myself of Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats jamming with Thin Lizzy and Blue Oyster Cult especially with the vocals and progressive riffs contained within the song.

Warlung take the classic “Twin Guitar” sound to their heart on this record as it oozes Thin Lizzy style goodness which should keep the Old-School Hard Rock/Metal fan impressed along with the modern Doom/Stoner Rock fan looking for some trippy Psychedelic sounds that is becoming the standard for most albums such as this.

Optical Delusions lasts for around 40 minutes but it feels longer and that’s a good thing with Warlung playing through a collection of great songs that merges the different styles of Hard Rock/Metal whilst remaining timeless and modern from start to finish.

Warlung’s songwriting skills have improved since their last record with Optical Delusions having some top-notch lyrics that you will be singing along to with the heavy Psychedelic mix of 70s and modern based riffs. 

Songs such as: Scorpion In The Sand, Snake Eyes, Order Of The Solar Temple and Devil’s Game are the ones that impressed myself the most and the ones I had the most fun rocking out to. Even though there’s a sense of OTT seriousness to Warlung’s creative ideas, the guys never lose the focus to have fun with their music and this is action packed with addictive grooves and leaving the listener with tons of devilish fun along the way.

I didn’t realized that Warlung signed to Heavy Psych Sounds until recently and it’s a perfect fit for both parties. It’s a cool label for Warlung to be part of. Especially with their previous two albums being reissued recently by the label. More top-notch work by Gabe and company.

Anyway, back to Optical Delusions. Warlung have delivered another great album that is also helped along by top-notch production as well. This is an album that delivers plenty bang for your buck and is ALL KILLER and NO FILLER….

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR and All Noir PR for the promo. Optical Delusions is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl from Heavy Psych Sounds.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp