Swedish Stoner Rock Rock Godfathers DOZER To Release New Album "Drifting In The Endless Void" on Blues Funeral Recordings; Pre-order & First Single Available!

Swedish godfathers of stoner rock DOZER return after over a decade with their long-anticipated sixth studio album "Drifting in the Endless Void", to be released this April 21st on Blues Funeral Recordings. Watch their brand new video for "Ex-Human, Now Beast" right now!

About Dozer's awaited comeback, Dozer co-founder and lead guitarist Tommi Holappa comments: "It’s been 15 years since the last Dozer album and this is who we are now. We might be older, maybe not so much wiser, but I think we may have made one of our best albums. When we started writing new material, we didn’t have a clue what this band would sound like in the 2020s. It was a bit nerve-wracking at first, but after we finished "Missing 13", the first song we wrote for the album, we knew we were onto something. The first single "Ex-Human, Now Beast" has all the energy, power and heaviness we've always loved to create, it's proof we can still rock and we can’t wait for people to hear it!"

About the video: “As soon as I saw the track name, I knew I needed to do a video where one or more of the guys get beastified by a giant tentacled monster,” laughs Peder Bergstrand, director, Lowrider frontman and longtime friend of the band. "The result is a mix of horror, humor, and these relentless animated nightmare sections that I think match the track’s non-stop rocket fuel drum parts really well.”

Watch Dozer's new video "Ex-Human, Now Beast" below or at this location
Listen to the single on all streaming platforms

 

Formed in the mid-’90s in the sleepy town of Borlänge, the Swedish foursome led the first wave of European-style stoner/desert rock in response to the tectonic heft and sun-baked fuzz of American bands Kyuss and Fu Manchu. Over a decade since their last outing, DOZER have now reawakened with a vengeance: their new album "Drifting in the Endless Void" is an undeniable affirmation of their status not just as forefathers of a movement, but as champions of volcanic energy and pure riff worship.

DOZER still bring the tumultuous churn that longtime fans expect, but their sound has become a gravitational mass that also pulls in massive sludge, fuzzed-out doom, space-tripping grooves, red-eyed psychedelics, and whatever else they find floating in the vast cosmic expanse. Their return to the musical landscape they helped shape is cause enough for celebration, but the explosive playing and fiery purpose is what makes "Drifting in the Endless Void" a truly unmissable experience!
 

"Drifting in the Endless Void" will be available worldwide on April 21st on various vinyl formats, limited digipack CD and digital. The ultra-limited deluxe vinyl edition will ship earlier to PostWax Vol. II subscribers. Preorder now on Blues Funeral Recordings website, Bandcamp and European store.

New album "Drifting In The Endless Void"
Out April 21st on Blues Funeral Recordings

On their preternaturally confident earliest releases, which included albums In the Tail of the Comet (2000) and Madre De Dios (2001) on the legendary Man’s Ruin label and a split LP with John Garcia’s bright-burning though post-Kyuss outfit Unida, DOZER's fuzz-rock hypnosis was at cosmic levels, thanks to guitarist Tommi Holappa’s rolling riffs and fried psychedelics and singer/guitarist Fredrik Nordin’s blistering vocal power.
 
The third album Call it Conspiracy was a milestone in perfectly crafted high-energy anthems, as the lockdown grooves of rhythm section Johan Rockner (bass) and Erik Bäckwall (drums) along with heaping helpings of ‘70s hard rock heroics saw the band established as a live force, leveling audiences across the UK and Europe with their white-hot eruptions. Even as DOZER achieved greater recognition on European, US and Australian tours supporting the likes of Clutch, Spiritual Beggars and Mastodon, Holappa also started side project Greenleaf as an outlet for jammier, less-structured digressions.  
 
An inflection point came with Dozer’s fourth album Through the Eyes of Heathens, which saw them drive the intensity into the red and push the tempos to match. Their fuzz-groove attack now infused with heightened aggression and crush, the shift was consecrated by the appearance of Mastodon’s Troy Saunders lending vocals to the song “Until Man Exists No More”. DOZER pushed ahead in this vein with 2008’s Beyond Colossal, which All Music called, “arguably their heaviest and darkest song cycle yet,” and which included a career watermark in the form of mini-epic “Empire’s End” with guest vocals from Neil Fallon of Clutch.
 
But, although the album was a triumph in channeling the various tributaries of the members’ decade-plus growth and influences, it would also be their last proper album for quite some time. Nordin returned to school for his Master’s degree, Holappa turned Greenleaf into a full-time band, and Dozer went on indefinite hiatus. If the band seemed to sleep while Greenleaf roamed, DOZER have now reawakened by signing a worldwide deal with US label Blues Funeral Recordings, which will release their first studio album in fifteen years. 

DOZER is:

Fredrik Nordin - Guitar & Vocals
Tommi Holappa - Guitar
Johan Rockner - Bass
Sebastian Olsson - Drums
  
DOZER links

Website⎜Facebook⎜Instagram⎜Youtube⎜Spotify

Blues Funeral Recordings links

Website⎮Facebook⎮Bandcamp⎮Instagram | Youtube

Classic Rock/Doom Rockers UMBILICUS Announces First Shows And Beings First Rehearsals

Florida-based rock revivalists Umbilicus have begun their first rehearsals for their recently announced shows on February 23, 24, 25 in Orlando, Miami, and Tampa, respectively. The quartet, made up of death metal musicians Paul Mazurkiewicz (Cannibal Corpse, Heaven’s Gate) on drums, Taylor Nordberg (Deicide, Inhuman Condition) on guitar, Vernon Blake (Anarchus) on bass, and Brian Stephenson (FORE) on vocals, will be sharing the stage with rock band King Buffalo for 3 dates in Florida on their current tour.

Umbilicus released their debut album in September 2022 on Listenable Insanity Records, which is available at umbilicusband.bandcamp.com

Tickets for the shows can be purchased below:

February 23 - Will’s Pub - Orlando, FL

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/king-buffalo-swell-fellas-and-umbilicus-in-orlando-tickets-452301545097

February 24 - Gramp’s - Miami, FL

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/king-buffalo-swell-fellas-and-umbilicus-in-miami-tickets-452331093477?aff=erelexpmlt

February 25 - Crowbar - Ybor City, FL

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/king-buffalo-swell-fellas-umbilicus-and-witch-hiatus-in-tampa-tickets-452331815637

Photo by Jeramie/Deidra Kling

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Pelegrin - Ways Of Avicenna (Album Review)

Release Date: February 17th 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Ways Of Avicenna: Tracklisting

Madrassa

Thunderstorm

Reach For The Sun

Disgrace

Mystical Appeal

Forsaken Land

Members

François Roze de Gracia - Guitars/Vocals

Jason Recoing - Bass/Backing Vocals

Antoine Ebel - Drums/Percussions

Alexandre Haquet - Synth (Madrassa)

Review

French Psych Stoner Rockers Pelegrin return in spectacular fashion with their new album Ways Of Avicenna which sees the band blend Mystic Rock, Post-Rock, Doom Rock and a sense of world building Prog Rock. Taking cues from their celebrated 2019 debut album Al-Mahruqa but with a wilder style of creative choices that blur the realms of Hard Rock and Heavy Rock.

The album remains trippy with some mighty fine "Poppier" moments which you can hear in the opening stages of the album on songs such as Madrassa and Thunderstorm. The music does veer on the more mystical side of Prog Rock especially with the cool vocals and sullen guitar sounds but there's a Stoner Rock/Metal approach that feels quite stripped back but still offering moments of frenzied heaviness. Sure, there's an experimental approach but Pelegrin still aims for "AMPLIFIER" style grooves that have a classic DOOM sound to them in places.

The album continues with that style with a much needed boost in Fuzzed Up Desert Rock allowing Pelegrin playing heavier styles of Mystic influenced Doom/Stoner Metal with the band also playing elements of Classic Rock that even allows the band to include melodic guitar solos along the way. 

Third song Reach For The Sun deserves a special mention with Pelegrin playing a heavier style of music whilst making bold creative choices along the way. Some of these choices shouldn't really work but they sound superb throughout this track alone. Classic Hard Rock guitar solos, Ambient Post-Rock Passages and that Mystic Rock drive with Progressive based themes building up a stunning array of different sounds. 

The remaining three tracks of Disgrace, Mystical Appeal and Forsaken Land is perhaps the most and heavily mystical part of the album that allows Pelegrin to become more experimental but still retaining that STONER flavour that makes their music so fresh and essential. The album perhaps becomes more Jazzy along the way but the superb instrumental work makes the journey worthwhile.

Ways Of Avicenna is all about movement and this album moves in so many different directions that it's a complete and utter joy to listen to. With first rate production values allowing Pelegrin to create their own original blend of music that you'll find very hard to beat. Kudos goes to the band also for bringing Kent Stump of WO FAT fame to master this album and with the band's very own François Roze de Gracia contributing with Recording and Mixing duties as well.

All in all, Pelegrin have released an exquisite sounding release that may have the potential to be an essential part of the Psych Stoner Rock/Metal underground scene.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Ways Of Avicenna is available to buy now on CD/DD/VInyl.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Satanic doom merchants THE CROOKED WHISPERS to issue new album "Funeral Blues" this spring on Ripple Music; first track and preorder available!

Satanic doom merchants THE CROOKED WHISPERS to issue new album "Funeral Blues" this spring on Ripple Music; first track and preorder available!

Transcontinental satanic doom foursome THE CROOKED WHISPERS announce the release of their sophomore full-length "Funeral Blues" this April 7th on Californian label Ripple Music. Stream the debut single and title track on The Ripple Effect website!

Listen to new track "Funeral Blues" at this location

With musicians hailing from the United States and Argentina, the satanic psych-doom trio THE CROOKED WHISPERS was nominated as Best New Band in the 2021 Doomed And Stoned Awards. A true ode to darkness, the follow-up to 2020's "Satanic Melodies" and Ripple Music debut is eight tracks brimming with evil riffs, occultism and horror tales inspired by black magic books, taking its cue from influences as wide as Black Sabbath, Venom, Death SS, LaVey's "The Satanic Mass", Lucifer's Friend, Thergothon and Burning Witch.

“Funeral Blues” was recorded over the course of 2021 and 2022 between different studios in Argentina and the USA, it was produced by Ignacio De Tommaso, mixed and mastered by Ignacio De Tommaso and Marcelo Suraniti, with artwork by Revelation Studio. It will be released on April 7th via Ripple Music, as part of a the special series of releases curated by Ozzy Osbourne bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson.

THE CROOKED WHISPERS "Funeral Blues"

Out April 7th on Ripple Music

US preorder - European preorder - Bandcamp

The Crooked Whispers formed in 2020 during the global pandemic and released their debut studio album 'Satanic Melodies' and the 'Galaxy of Terror / Hail Darkness' EP on Bandcamp. The "satanic psych doom" trio is made up of musicians hailing from the United States and Argentina: Ignacio De Tommaso (Luciferica) on bass, Anthony Gaglia (LáGoon) handling the vocals and Chad Davis (Hour of 13) on guitar.

In 2021, the band was nominated as Best New band at the Doomed And Stoned Awards, then released a 2-song EP called "Dead Moon Night". Later this year, Chad Davis left the band and Federico Ramos from Argentinian death metal band Avernal took over guitars during the new album recording. At the end of 2022, a split with the band Fulanno was released on Regain Records.

Since then, the cult has steadily been growing around the world, sparking the interest of the scene and most notably Ozzy Osbourne bassist Blasko, who has signed them to Ripple Music under his exclusive partnership with the label for their highly anticipated sophomore album in the spring of 2023.

The Crooked Whispers lineup:

Anthony Gaglia – vocals
Federico Ramos – guitar
Ignacio De Tommaso - bass
Nicolas Taranto - drums

The Crooked Whispers links

Facebook ⎪ Bandcamp ⎪ Instagram ⎪ Spotify

Scum Giant - Space Vampire (EP Review)

Release Date: February 18th 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Space Vampire: Tracklisting

1.Anathema 05:14

2.I Am God 04:45

3.Victim 03:59

4.Deadbeat 04:30

Members

Dan Schabes - Guitar/Bass/Vocals

Dave Skwarzcek - Drums

Review

Doom/Stoner Metal Duo Scum Giant returns from a five year slumber to release their new EP Space Vampire. After the fantastic two albums Scum Giant released back in 2018, it’s good to see Scum Giant return to their Sci-Fi/Horror Movies & TV roots and bring a monolithic blast of Doom/Stoner Metal sounds.

The EP is full of gloomy atmospherics and down-tuned WEEDIAN energy that fuses Psychedelic noises and swirls along the way. 

Opening song Anathema is a song that soon gets straight to the action by focusing on modern day Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal instrumental for the first half with warped Psych based elements that can be quite theatrical in places. The second half of the song opts for a more classic Heavy Metal sound. This is a refreshing change of pace especially when Dan’s vocals appear and the song becomes vastly atmospheric with Distorted Prog Metal riffs that become heavier as time moves on.

Second song I Am God opens with a down-tuned and FUZZ based sound that moves along at it’s own distorted heavy pace. The song allows Dan and Dave to show off their Post-Doom and Alt-Metal skills with an excellent vocal performance and intense pounding drums. Though, it’s the music that ultimately holds your attention. There maybe too much going on when the song becomes more Industrial themed but it’s still a great creative avenue for Scum Giant to fully explore.

The final two songs of Victim and Deadbeat are more Horror focused with the lyrics and use of Industrial Rock and Doom Metal but still allows the listener to explore the Sludgier and perhaps WEEDIAN aspects of Scum Giant’s music. I would say Deadbeat is the strongest track of the two here but Victim does feature some of the more disturbing effects on the EP.

Space Vampire is a wickedly entertaining release from Scum Giant and despite a few rough sounding moments, the production is handled well. This all builds up to another sublime release from Scum Giant. I’m hoping we don’t have to wait so long for the next one.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Ultra Void - Mother Of Doom (Album Review)

Release Date: February 23rd 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Mother Of Doom: Tracklisting

1.Mother Of Doom

2.Sic Mundus Creatus Est

3.Måntår

4.Squares & Circles

5.Special K

Members

Jihef Garnero

Review

Doom/Fuzz/Stoner Rockers Ultra Void return with their new album Mother Of Doom. The band are now a one-man band rather than a Power Trio that featured with their 2021 debut release. I was a bit anxious to see if this would have a negative impact on the band but far from it. Ultra Void are just as heavy and endearing as ever with their blend of FUZZED UP sounds delivered with a highly confident Doom/Stoner Metal groove.

Mother Of Doom also features different styles of Psych Rock, Desert Rock and Sludge Rock that benefit from a wonderfully down-tuned “AMPLIFIER” sound that features throughout the album with the excellent opening song Mother Of Doom allowing Ultra Void to bring a fresh perspective to the warped WEEDIAN atmospherics that draw influences from KYUSS, QOTSA, Truckfighters, Black Sabbath and even a warped MELVINS-esque energy. 

The album also benefits from top-level DIY production values that gives Ultra Void a more rebellious and aggressive nature to their overall sound. 

Second song Sic Mundus Creatus Est is quite a fantastical slice of Doom/Stoner Rock with warped Psychedelics and murky AMPLIFIER and DOWN-TUNED moments that can feel inspired by Frank Zappa in places. The song is quite catchy but has a devilish rebellious streak allowing Ultra Void to experiment with Ambient noises, glitches and sounds for different styles of music first heard on their 2021 debut release. The song does have extended jams with a Sludge Rock undergroove with interesting vocals to match. 

Third song Måntår offers more distorted WEEDIAN carnage with a Noise Rock flavour bringing a heavier style of music into play. The song is mostly instrumental for the first half with Ultra Void playing some of the best extended guitar solos on the album with different levels of Distorted and Down-Tuned Desert/Fuzz Rock being the main order of business for Ultra Void to impress listeners with. There’s a gloomy sideline to this song that becomes more evident on the second half of the song when the vocals appear that allows this song to be more Sludge Rock based. It’s a great contrast as the song wonderfully builds up to that level of noisy carnage that leaves you wanting to hear more.

The final two songs Squares & Circles and Special K are more straightforward songs compared to the other tracks on the album but still have some very experimental sounds of their own especially within Special K which is one of the albums standout tracks with its use of Psychedelic effects to give this part of the album a “fresh” heavy style of their own.

Mother Of Doom is quite fantastical with its sense of creativity that Jihef Garnero uses and delivers with this album. This allows Mother Of Doom to be in a league of its own.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Ultra Void for the promo.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram | Twitter

In The Ponds - Fever Canyon (EP Review)

Release Date: March 23rd 2023. Record Label: Entelodon Records. Formats: DD

Fever Canyon: Tracklisting

Lost City

Windmill Blades

Making Time

Members

David Perez – guitar

Jennifer Gigantino – bass

Review

Instrumental Post-Rockers In The Ponds return with their new EP - Fever Canyon. The EP continues their blend of Ambient Rock, Blues Rock and Americana inspired style of Dreamy Post Rock. There’s a lush “Western” vibe on this EP which was evident on their superb debut release Polar Night. The music maybe quite slow in places but In The Ponds excel the most, bringing different creative elements, themes and sounds into the mix for a richer and more engaging sound.

Opening song Lost City is a Psychedelic driven number with a “Barren Wasteland” feeling with the band  employing a killer “Blues Rock” dive on the later stages of the track. Loosely acoustic with a HEAVY sound that richly encompasses the whole atmosphere throughout the song’s four minute runtime. Maybe inspired by EARTH in places but with that Western/Blues Rock twist allowing In The Ponds to create their own original sound that can be quite melodic and groovy in places.

Second song Windmill Blades is another wicked Blues Rock inspired offering with the band carrying on their Acoustic Rock sound. The music has more of a contemporary Americana sound with twinges of lush Psychedelic guitars and funky bass lines. The song is quite riff-focused on the later stages and showcases that In The Ponds definitely know how to write a damn good tune and perhaps even have fun with their music as well.

Third song Making Time is a more solemn and reflective piece with In The Ponds bringing more “SOUL” into the mix. The music drifts from dreamy Post-Rock moments to a heavier Ambient based style of Blues Rock with echoes of almost DOOM ROCK starting to sneak in but the band resist that urge and play a sublime melodic Blues Rock groove that left me wanting to hear more.

Fever Canyon is another superb release from In The Ponds that only builds upon the excellent “Dreamlike” energy from their debut EP and perhaps showcases a slightly different sound from the band along the way as well.

In The Ponds on this form are perhaps one of the best upcoming instrumental Post Rock bands currently out there and I’m excited to hear what they will release next. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Desert Bloom PR for the promo.

Fever Canyon will be available to buy digitally from via Entelodon Records from March 23rd 2023.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp | Twitter