Dead Shrine - Cydonia Mensa (Album Review)

Release Date: April 25th 2025. Record Label: Kozmik Artifactz. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Cydonia Mensa - Tracklisting

1.Serpents of the Sun 04:27

2.Cydonia Mensa 05:40

3.The Sacred Light 04:39

4.Monuments 06:18

5.Temple of Saturn 05:06

6.Redeemer 04:06

7.Evolution Garden 04:27

8.Illumination of Knowledge 07:51

Members:

Craig Williamson - Everything

Review

Chances are that if you’re reading Outlaws of the Sun, you probably already know the name Craig Williamson. You might know his work from other bands such as Arc of Ascent, Dautra, and/or Lamp of the Universe. Or perhaps you better know him as the multi-instrumentalist and mastermind behind this one-man project named Dead Shrine. Well, after a two-year span since the highly acclaimed album The Eightfold Path, Dead Shrine has returned and here we are again soaking up another dose of heavy fuzzed out psychedelia and stoner rock riffage with Cydonia Mensa. 

If you happen to be unfamiliar with Dead Shrine, you’ll soon learn from the beginning of ‘Serpents of the Sun’ that groove is a dominant enduring force behind the music. It’s recurring and utilized throughout Cydonia Mensa, holding you captive within its grasp. Another aspect of the album that will completely ensnare you are Craig’s vocals that are mostly accompanied by an echo effect, adding extra depth and space to his already efficient singing. There are even some backup singers on the title track ‘Cydonia Mensa’ and ‘Redeemer’ that bring additional texture to the mix. 

For those that love wicked guitar solos, tracks like ‘The Sacred Light’ and ‘Temple of Saturn’ have got you covered. The guitarist sounds as though he’s in a contest with the devil as he blazes through with a Wah attack and delivery, banishing the evil spirit back to hell. Taking a step back from the more Stoner/Psych Rock sound is ‘Monuments’ with its repetitive Stoner/Doom-laden riffing and overall diabolical feel creates a dystopian landscape and seemingly conquers new territory for Dead Shrine. It is heavy, melodic, and my personal favorite of the album.

Another track that seems to broaden Cydonia Mensa into new realms is the Planet Caravan invoking ‘Evolution Garden’. Escorted by acoustic guitar and softer vocals it opens us to a celestial bath of Heavy Psych and fallen stars. ‘Illumination of Knowledge’ is a grooving song with a heavy low-end that not only summarizes Dead Shrine but also makes sure that just as the album began with a powerhouse that you’re left with one at the conclusion. 

Fans of 2023’s album The Eightfold Path will most likely be delighted with Cydonia Mensa, it not only retains the signature Dead Shrine sound but also builds upon the framework that was laid down before with some nice surprises along the way. New fans will find plenty of qualities to relish as the album’s eight tracks are overflowing with endless groove and captivating moments. You’ll find yourself returning to it and who knows, Cydonia Mensa may become your new favorite album! 

Words by Jon McGough

Cydonia Mensa is available to buy on DD/Vinyl now via Kozmik Artifactz and other good stockists.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Greengoat - Aloft (Album Review)

Release Date: April 25th 2025. Record Label: Argonauta Records. Formats: CD/DD.

Aloft - Tracklisting

1.Zohar 02:50

2.Betty 04:40

3.Jim 05:14

4.Travis 05:39

5.Ariel 06:19

6.Barney 05:04

7.Charles 03:51

Members:

Ivan Flores - Voice / Guitars

Ruth Moya - Drums / Lyrics

Review

Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers Greengoat return with their new album Aloft which is based upon the groundbreaking studies of Harvard psychiatrist Dr. John Mack on alien abductions. This is a conceptual album based on individual cases which allows Greengoat to conjure a more complex Psychedelic sound compared to their acclaimed 2024 debut album A.I. That album as well was a conceptual album about the use of artificial intelligence and I was quite surprised the band focused their attention upon Alien Abductions.

However, like their debut album, Aloft is a heavy and emotionally charged journey with Post-Rock rhythms and superb Post-Doom melodies which branches out into other areas of Stoner Rock/Metal with some cool sounding freaky passages and sonic landscapes coming into play on the first two opening tracks of Zohar and Betty. Greengoat have an interesting creative dynamic with Ruth Moya writing the lyrics and Ivan Flores providing vocals throughout. This gives the record a more daring and insightful commentary within the Post-Doom/Stoner Metal world.

However, let’s focus on the music in hand. As Greengoat blend Alt Rock, Art Rock, Prog Rock and Grunge into their wider musical backdrop with elements of Sludge and Post-Metal appearing which demonstrates a heavy destructive force within the outstanding second track of Betty. The record feels inspired by the likes of A Perfect Circle, WINDHAND and Alice In Chains but with that true science fiction vibe allowing Greengoat to be taken on their own creative and technical merits.

The album weaves into different areas of Psychedelic and Psychological warfare throughout with a mixture of different thematic elements that becomes quite dominant especially on the quieter and subversive moments of the record. Greengoat have a powerful LOUD vs QUIET dynamic within their music where a Sludge / Shoegaze hybrid style of music appears more convincingly on other standout tracks such as: Jim, Travis (perhaps based on Travis Walton’s experience which was immortalized within the 1993 movie Fire In The Sky), Ariel and Charles.

Aloft is quite a different record to A.I. with some tracks having unfinished business and perhaps a “to be continued” theme which makes the album even more intriguing and mysterious to boot. The music is perhaps the main draw with Greengoat playing a subtle and stripped back style of Doom/Stoner Metal which is highly original and superbly aggressive.

Greengoat have released another outstanding record here which could establish them as one of the most daring and highly imaginative bands to come out from the underground scene in quite some time. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the promo. Aloft is available to buy on CD/DD via Argonauta Records

INFO:

https://greengoatband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/greengoat.band

https://www.instagram.com/greengoat.band/

https://www.argonautarecords.com/

https://grandsounds.net/

Miss Lava - Under A Black Sun (Album Review)

Release Date: April 25th 2025. Record Label: Small Stone Recordings. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl.

Under A Black Sun - Tracklisting

1.Dark Tomb Nebula

2.Neon Gods

3.Evil Eye of a Witch

4.Chaos Strain

5.Woe Warrior

6.The Bends

7.Fear in Overdrive

8.I drown

9.Blue Sky On Mars (Bonus Track)

10.Elara

11.Under a Black Sun 

Members:

Johnny Lee - Vocals

K. Raffah - Guitars

P. Gonçalves - Drums

Ricardo Ferreira - Bass

Review

Psych Stoner Rockers Miss Lava return after a four year absence with their epic and spellbinding new album Under A Black Sun where the band have gone under a massive creative and sonic transformation. I thought their 2021 album Doom Machine is where the band changed for the better but I was wrong as Under A Black Sun is where perhaps Miss Lava aims for true greatness. 

Their new album has a grittier Post-Doom attitude with moments of Fuzz, Psych, Shoegaze, Stoner and Sludge based surroundings. The sound of the record is bounded by a Scorched Desert Rock and Apocalyptic based attitude which is delivered superbly through the crux of the album’s earliest tracks such as Dark Tomb Nebula, Neon Gods and Evil Eye Of An Witch. 

The vocals from Johnny Lee have an eerie and subtle tone to them with a heartfelt presence being delivered that was first heard on Doom Machine. The music feels inspired by the likes of KING BUFFALO, ELDER and KYUSS but with a melodic and harmonious SHOEGAZE style which does move into DOOMGAZE waters on the more COSMIC based passages that MIss Lava project into the mix.

With a grizzled Cosmic / Space Rock environment being created for the band to play extended instrumental movements upon, Under A Black Sun is brilliantly melodic and quite daring when the mood calls for this.

Miss Lava project a hallucinogenic and mind-expanding experience which darkens the Psychedelic / Cosmic energy which allows the Sludge Rock / Metal sound to be aggressive and dominant without losing the melodic vibes that appear on the other standout tracks such as Woe Warrior, The Bends, Fear In Overdrive, I Drown and Under The Black Sun. This is where Miss Lava draw upon their extensive twenty years experience within the Stoner Rock/Metal scene and create their heaviest and most dynamite based grooves they’ve released to date.

The lyrics are often hopeful and insightful but Miss Lava isn't afraid to add a sense of gloom to the overall message of the album. Though, for the most part Miss Lava takes creative cues from the likes of ALICE IN CHAINS, BLACK SABBATH and SOUNDGARDEN with their lyrics and how they deliver a non-stop style of murky sounding AMPLIFIER based melodies. The production values are perhaps more stripped back to previous albums but a vital modern RAW and PUNK based sound developing that merges with the subtle Sludge/Stoner Metal themes the album ultimately delivers on all levels.

Miss Lava have delivered the goods yet again with an intense and outstanding record that brings a mighty fine and original style of Psych Doom/Stoner Metal that is simply unmissable and truly unforgettable.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Earsplit PR for the promo. 

Under A Black Sun Doom will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Small Stone Recordings from April 25th 2025.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

CONAN - Violence Dimension (Album Review)

Release Date: April 25th 2025. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl.

Violence Dimension - Tracklisting

1.Foeman's Flesh

2.Desolation Hexx

3.Total Bicep

4.Violence Dimension

5.Frozen Edges Of The Wound

6.Warpsword

7.Ocean Of Boiling Skin

8.Vortexxion

Members:

Jon Davis - Vocals/Guitars
Johnny King - Drums
David Ryley - Bass

Review

Violence Dimension is the new album from Doom/Sludge Metal legends CONAN and their first for new powerhouse label Heavy Psych Sounds. This record is quite a throwback to their earlier records but still maintaining their recent level of pure destructive heaviness. CONAN continue with their devastating style of Droned Out soundscapes which adds a more ice-cold effect to their own blend of CAVEMAN DOOM which is always imitated but never bettered especially on this record.

CONAN surround themselves with bass heavy and sonic fuelled sounds of their own cosmic making which stay beautifully heavy throughout with the stunning opening track Foeman’s Flesh with this track running over nine minutes in length. There are different levels of Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal with a deft technical melody appearing with Jon Davis’s trademark vocals making a long overdue return to the world of CAVEMAN DOOM. The aura of Psychedelic and Drone based textures adds an of mystery to proceedings whilst still keeping with the full on harsh brutality that is still superbly melodic at the same time.

Sometimes Violence Dimension does feel like a companion piece to the recently released UNGRAVEN debut album (Hollows Made Homes In Their Sunken Cheeks) with the surreal Drone aspects that this record contains. Though, mostly it’s CONAN perfecting their classic style of full-on Doom/Sludge Metal which also has a modern SHAMANIC approach on certain parts of the record especially on tracks such as Desolation Hexx, Total Bicep and Violence DImension. The majority of the tracks run past the nine minutes mark with this perhaps being the most progressive leaning record of their career to date. 

There are a lot more Thrash based elements which doesn’t dilute the core Doom, Sludge and Stoner aspect of their trademark sound. This allows the heavier and more extreme growls to make themselves known with. Another highlight is the addition of David Ryley on Bass Guitar from UK Sludge Metal legends FUDGE TUNNEL who Jon is a massive fan. I loved FUDGE TUNNEL back in the day and David adds a classic level of extreme heaviness which allows CONAN to soar to new heights especially on the later stages of the record.

Johnny King once again puts in a brutal and blistering performance on Dimension Violence and I will have to say this is his best performance I’ve heard from him. He’s absolutely lethal throughout but shows a sense of calm and intelligence within the quieter moments of the album. 

Other standout tracks on the album are: Frozen Edges Of The Wound, Ocean Of Boiling Skin and Vortexxion (which is a track that appears on the Deluxe Edition only).

The fantastical themes and lyrics allows CONAN’s imagination to run wild which has been a major part of the band’s career for the best part of two decades now and it’s good to see that aspect of their creative work hasn’t been watered down but perhaps amplified to match the newfound level of heaviness they demonstrate on the record.

Violence Dimension allows CONAN to do what they do best and that’s delivering some of the heaviest and fuzzed up grooves known to the underground DOOM METAL scene that firmly solidates CONAN as one of the most incendiary and legendary acts currently around today. 

This will surely end up becoming the DOOM METAL album of the year and is already in my top three favourite records of the year so far. I don’t think it will be beaten on both of those aspects. My advice is to add this classic record to your collection as soon as you can.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the details

New album "Violence Dimension" - Out April 25th on Heavy Psych Sounds
International preorder - US preorder

CONAN links

Website ⎜ Facebook ⎜ Instagram ⎜ Bandcamp ⎜ Spotify

Exclusive Album Premiere Of Psych/Doom/Stoner Rockers GREENGOAT New Album ALOFT

Spanish fuzz rockers GREENGOAT return with Aloft, their highly anticipated second studio album, inspired by the groundbreaking studies of Harvard psychiatrist Dr. John Mack on alien abductions. Set for release on April 25, 2025, via Argonauta Records on CD and streaming platforms, Aloft takes listeners on a deep sonic journey, blending elements of flamenco, classical music, progressive metal, and stoner doom. The album explores the psychological and emotional impact of abduction experiences, fusing intricate rhythms,orchestral textures, and heavy, hypnotic riffs into an innovative and immersive soundscape.

As a preview of what’s to come, GREENGOAT has unveiled Ariel, the second single from Aloft. Recorded and mastered at California Studios (Madrid), Ariel delves into the mind-altering experience of a psychedelic voyage. Its official video is a tribute to Salvador Dalí and his iconic painting Rosa Meditativa, capturing the surreal and introspective essence of both the song and Mack’s explorations of human consciousness.

We're excited to present the full exclusive album premiere of ALOFT thanks to the great folks over at Grand Sounds Promotion and Argonauta Records.

Tracklist:

Zohar

Betty

Jim

Travis

Ariel

Barney

Charles

With Aloft, GREENGOAT delivers a bold and genre-defying album that merges tradition with modernity, technique with emotion. 

INFO:

https://greengoatband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/greengoat.band

https://www.instagram.com/greengoat.band/

https://www.argonautarecords.com/

https://grandsounds.net/

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for all of the details. Aloft is available to buy on CD/DD via Argonauta Records

Heavy Psychedelic Outfit Lorquin’s Admiral Drop Visuals for 'Aren’t We'

Heavy psych explorers Lorquin’s Admiral unveil their latest official video for ‘Aren’t We’.

"While all the songs on the Lorquin’s Admiral album reflect deeply emotional experiences, the inspiration behind the song Aren’t We comes from observing the absurdities humans use to define their lives. The song itself is a mirror to how music and art in general allow us a glimpse into existential concepts and our attempts to immortalize and rein in the absurd. In the end, though, it’s really just a song, perhaps just a “love song”, among billions of other songs people use for comfort, belonging, or whatever else they need to gather in and hold onto the parade of moments that constitute our lives." - says Dandy Brown

Watch ‘Aren’t We’ here: 

Album pre-order: https://bit.ly/LorquinsAdmiral

Featuring a stellar lineup of current and former members of Afghan Whigs, the Fizz Fuzz, Hermano, Luna Sol, Orquesta del Desierto, Sons of Alpha Centauri, and Yawning Sons, the band delivers a unique blend of soul-stirring harmonies, mesmerizing riffs, and unforgettable hooks.

Building on the critically acclaimed writing partnership between Marlon King, Nick Hannon, and Dandy Brown (first established on the widely celebrated Yawning Sons album Sky Island), Lorquin's Admiral encapsulates the essence of psychedelic rock while pushing the genre into exciting new territories. The band’s debut album highlights the stunning vocal interplay of husband-and-wife duo Dawn and Dandy Brown, and the commanding rhythms of celebrated drummer Steve Earle, creating an immersive sonic experience that is both heavy and hypnotic.

Adding to the album’s allure, guitar virtuosos David Angstrom (Hermano, Luna Sol) and Country Mark Engel lend their distinctive touch, enriching the record with lush, textured guitar landscapes. Angstrom’s contributions span seven tracks, while Engel’s masterful work graces two.

Drawing inspiration from desert rock pioneers while seamlessly incorporating elements of blues, psychedelic, and alternative music, Lorquin’s Admiral appeals to fans of Kyuss, Fu Manchu and Fatso Jetson, as well as admirers of the Cranberries, Screaming Trees and Garbage. The band carves out a unique space in the heavy-psychedelic scene, proving that rock music remains a powerful and evolving force.

Stay tuned for the release date of Lorquin's Admiral’s debut album and follow Argonauta Records for updates, singles and exclusive previews.

INFO:

https://www.argonautarecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

YOJIMBO - Cycles (Album Review)

Release Date: April 25th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl.

Cycles - Tracklisting

1.What Comes After 2.Gravity 3.Rosebud 4.Unchained 5.God's Spit 6.Doomsday Clock 7.Cycles

Review

Cycles is the debut full length album from Psych/Cosmic/Stoner Travellers YOJIMBO who build upon the cool themes and ideas on their outstanding 2022 self-titled debut EP. This time round YOJIMBO are adverse in developing Post-Rock and Post-Doom strategies to get their heavy music across to a more progressive level. One of the standout tracks Rosebud is inspired by the legendary Orson Welles classic film Citizen Kane and I never really expected that for a Cosmic/Doom/Stoner Rock album such as this.

The vocals from Sophie Steff have a dynamite Hard Rock presence behind them which is backed up by a flavour of Grunge, Blues and Sludge Rock passages which comes into primal focus on the stunning title track of What Comes After. The track itself is a mighty fine journey into the realms of Prog Rock and Space Rock with YOJIMBO playing extended cosmic jams and sonic landscapes which all collide into a mighty destructive atmosphere.

Shades of Mars Red Sky, Monolord, Windhand and Black Sabbath all appear with YOJIMBO operating with a sense of DOWN_TUNED guitars and FUZZED UP amps which go past the standard VOLUME MARK of ELEVEN. Though, the constant use of Post-Rock and Shoegaze allows the band to try new areas of melody and sludgy sounds through each of the different tracks. Glitchy noises and Sci-Fi themed lyrics just adds to the whole cinematic story of CYCLES on tracks such as Gravity, Rosebud and Unchained.

Cycles does have its fair share of quiet Post-Rock moments and subdued quiet melodies which brings the album to a mellow style of Post-Doom bliss. However, YOJIMBO always thrive on the heavier moments which there is plenty of especially on the later parts of the album with Sophie’s vocals continuously impressing from the offset.

The final batch of tracks sees YOJIMBO become more comfortable with their creative surroundings and once again develop fresh areas of Space Rock heaviness on tracks such as God’s Spit, Doomsday Clock and Cycles. My favourite tracks on the record are the exquisite opening number of What Comes After and the final Cosmic Doom excursion of Cycles. Cycles is purely an instrumental number with the band playing the heaviest, grooviest and standout instrumental passages on the whole album. 

Cycles is a stunning and winning album across the board and should allow YOJIMBO to establish a well deserved reputation within the underground Doom/Stoner Metal scene. There’s something for everyone to enjoy from this album with Cycles having a highly rewarding style of Ethereal Doom and pure Stoner Metal aggression.

Words by Steve Howe

Cycles will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from Friday 25th April 2025.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram