Exclusive Album Premiere Of SLOWPOKE Debut Full Length Album

Bio:

Slowpoke formed in St John's Newfoundland Canada in 2018 by Ben Chapman-Smith (Bass, Vocals) and Cameron Legge (Guitar). In early 2019 Adam Young (Drums) joined the band. The trio went on to record the bedrock of their upcoming album ‘Slowpoke” and closed the night at Still Heavy’s Midsummer Mayhem 3 festival and were dubbed the “hidden gem of the evening” by Tony Carew owner of Still Heavy.

COVID-19 made live performances a non-option in 2020 so Slowpoke went inside and worked away at their release, and applied for a MusicNL Artist development grant which they received in January 2021. Upon receiving the grant Slowpoke enlisted the services of Rick Hollet at Redhouse Recording (sHeavy, Hey Rosetta!) for Mixing and Chris Keffer at Magnetic North (The Black Keys, Cheap Trick) studios for Mastering. Slowpoke is currently performing in Newfoundland and has an album release show planned at the Rockhouse in St. Johns on August 21st 2021 with The Birchmen and local legends sHeavy.

Album Premiere

You can listen to the album with this cool exclusive album premiere below

 

The band say this about the album: 

"We bequeath to thee, our first album! Thanks to the talents of Rick Hollett and Chris Keffer the end product is something far greater than the DIY project it started as. This entire process was a great learning experience and it’s already got us thinking about how we’re going to approach future material. 

Anyway, check the album out! Our songs can be a bit of a trip but just lay back, strap in, and enjoy the ride. The album has some pretty sweet doom moments on it, lots of spicy riffs, some very salty lyrical content, a couple sour notes and some deep rich fuzzy Umami tones. Throw ‘em all in a pot, scream really loud into it frequently for 2 years and you’ve got Slowpoke. Bon Appetit."

Slowpoke is:

Cameron Legge: Guitar
Ben Chapman - Smith: Bass, vocals
Adam Young: Drums

Connect with Slowpoke:

https://www.slowpokeband.com/music

https://www.facebook.com/slowpoketheband/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4rTzZYhVbVE03MUgsgyLKg
https://www.slowpokenl.bandcamp.com

Thanks to Keith at Infecting Cells PR for all of the details.

NILES Take Flight And Premiere New EP - OWL

Bio

Niles comes from the creative mind of Breno Casquet, vocalist and guitarist in the band Casquetaria and owner of the label Fuzzrious. Founded in late 2018, the project approach to the Drone sound with experimentation of psychedelic dimensions, Indian environment and nuances trials. Developing this musicality, the project has alreadyhas two albums: “Niles” and “Amor Fati”, both released in February 2021. Through changes in sound a https://outlawsofthesun.blogspot.com/2021/08/niles-take-flight-and-premiere-new-ep.html nd approach, the latest experimentation of the project is "Owl", EP that will be released in August,20 acting as a profusion of feeling "evoking the fuzz out of the chest" from a riff factory.

The EP “Owl”

"OWL" represents the duality of the human being and its consequences interpretations under nature that somehow tries to dominate. The Greeks said that the owl is the symbol of wisdom for considering the night with the moment of intellectual revelation and philosophical thought. And the owl for having nocturnal habits ended up representing the search for knowledge. Because of this, the goddess Athena had an owl as a mascot. North American Indian tradition says the owl lives in the East, a place of enlightenment. Just like mankind fears the darkness, the owl sees the black of night. However, in the Roman Empire for example the bird was considered ominous and your singing would foreshadow the near death

The experience offered by the EP suggests both speed and calm, permeating by instrumental songs with intervals and attention to each instrument. The 4 tracks represent an intro and light and the flame for approaches of symbolism and mysticism. The beautiful art comes from by Hellio Goatgrinder and translates the effects of each compounding element to consolidate meaning, and brings the meaning of the songs to life. The tracks were produced on Home Studio “Fuzzy Life” in São Paulo and was mastered by Thiago Nascimento at Gambs Studio in São José do Rio Preto. “Owl” will be officially released on digital platforms on August 20th.

You can hear the fantastic EP below thanks to Niles and Bruxa Verde

LINKS:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/niles_project/
Bandcamp - https://nilesproject.bandcamp.com/

RAIBARD Premiere New Song DARK REALM OF THE DAYLIGHT from Upcoming New Album

Based out of Boston, Massachusetts, the dynamic rock trio, Raibard, combine an array of genre influences and styles to produce an experimental, progressive sound. Their new album, ‘Dark Realm of the Daylight’, is no exception.

“We made this record for everyone who doesn't fit inside a preconceived box. We don't fit in either. ‘Dark Realm of the Daylight’ is about nonconformity. It's about exploring who you are without any judgement; about letting go of rigid thought and antiquated visions. ‘Dark Realm’ is opening to experience the world as it truly is.”

The band was founded in December 2015 by Daniel Gil and they draw upon musical inspiration from rock and metal bands including Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and Opeth. Daniel also brings in his interest as a modern mystic; someone who experiences hidden realities and studies ancient texts on mysticism. The title track on the new album is inspired by author and teacher Tony Buzan who teaches about mind mapping and the genius of every single human being, promoting the advancement of consciousness through inner awareness and compassionate living.

From the psychedelic soundscape of ‘Eternal Rise’ through to the more heavily, distorted guitars in ‘Forever After’, ‘Dark Realm of the Daylight’ is transcendent in nature. The album explores the light and the dark through progressive instrumentation, intricate composition, and meaningful lyrical themes. Become immersed in the dynamic atmosphere exploring a sense of the avant-garde.

You can hear the excellent title track from the upcoming album which you can hear below.

Daniel describes Dark Realm of the Daylight as "a vision of the world renewed; where the only authority is the will to treat yourself and others with love and respect."

Links:

Website: https://raibard.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raibard/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/raibardband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raibard/

Thanks to Aliyah at C Squared for all of the info.

Monobrow - A Decorative Piece of Time (Album Review)

Release Date: August 06th 2021. Record Label: Trill Or Be Trilled Records. Format: DD/Vinyl

A Decorative Piece of Time - Tracklisting

1.Epoch (t0) 02:43

2.Argument (w) 08:15

3.Ascension (Ω) 10:17

4.Drag (N1) 07:27

5.Inclination (i) 05:19

6.Eccentricity (e) 09:57

Members

Brian Ahopelto - Drums and Synth

Sam Beydoun - Bass and Synth

Paul Slater - Guitars

Review

A Decorative Piece Of Time is the new album from Canadian Heavy Stoner Rockers Monobrow with this being their first release in 4 years. This time round Monobrow are more wise, world-weary and slightly bitter at the world. The album is a darker affair compared to other Monobrow releases with the band adding glitched out noises and trippy noises to their standard Psych Stoner Rock sound.

The record runs for 45 minutes across 6 songs with Monobrow opening the album up with a Psychedelic/Ambient Post-Stoner song Epoch (t0) that lasts around 3 minutes. It’s a lo-fi and lush sounding affair that opens the album up to hopeful possibilities and that mood lasts for a short time before the stunning second song appears.

Second track Argument (w) is an aggressive affair with heavier elements of Prog Rock, Stoner Metal and even Post-Metal. For the first few moments the song is building upto a level of aggressiveness that we haven’t felt from the band before then it switches back to a more melodic style of music. A moment later then it’s back to the earlier Prog Stoner Rock/Metal sound. The sound is quite jagged, choppy and schizophrenic in places. I dig this “new-found” style of Stoner Rock/Metal from the band. As they bring different musical elements that keeps you on your toes.

The band are working with Mike Bond (Wolf Lane Studios) again which they have done for the last few albums. Now they’ve brought Topon Das on mixed and mastering duties. Yes, folks that Topn Das of FUCK THE FACTS fame. A grindcore legend and mainstay of the Canadian Extreme Metal scene. It could be having Topon on board that Monobrow have an harsher edge to their music and this shows throughout the album. If you’re a fan of earlier Monobrow albums then this is still the same band but just more creative and playing a more experimental style of Psychedelic Stoner Rock/Metal.

The other tracks Ascension (Q), Drag (N1) and Eccentricity (e) are the strongest parts of the album offering a fine mix of old-fashioned Monobrow riffs and their newer experimental sound.  A Decorative Piece of Time perhaps works best when Monobrow focus on their Psychedelic Freakouts and Spaced Out Vibes hidden beneath the Progressive elements of the album. 

A Decorative Piece of Time is either wonderfully strange or strangely wonderful depending which part of the album impresses you the most. There is a lot to get through on this album so I would recommend repeated listens to fully understand it all.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Monobrow and Against PR for the promo. 

A Decorative Piece of Time is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Trill or Be Trilled Records.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp 

codeia - to be elevated beyond the crumbling skies (Album Review)

Release Date: July 31st 2021. Record Label: Narshardaa Records. Format: DD/Vinyl

to be elevated beyond the crumbling skies - Tracklisting

1.mercury feathers 28:27

2.DIGITAL ONLY BONUS TRACK: shrouded in feathers (mercury feathers reconstructed by auvikogue) 29:23

Members

Denis S. (Bass, Vocals)

Timo L. (Drums)

Markus L. (Guitars)

Review

“to be elevated beyond the crumbling skies” is the new release from German Cinematic Post-Rockers/Post-Metallers codeia and this record sees the band branch out from their earlier releases with mature themes and heavier vocal imagery. With their earlier releases, codeia remained firmly on the Post-Rock landscape to build their Ambient based Doom/Sludge progressive sounds but this sees the band come kicking and screaming into the Sludge/Post-Metal arena. With a Neurosis/ISIS/Cult Of Luna approach being the main style of play for the album.

There’s only one epic almost 29 minute song (mercury feathers) and codeia are experimental throughout with the different guises and styles held on the record. Haunting and equally demanding with a dark groove that journeys throughout almost every part of the “Post-Whatever” style of heavy music. The ambient textures and clean vocals bring a Justin Broadrick or Godflesh attitude to the mix.

The second song shrouded in feathers is a digital bonus only song and remixed, sorry I mean reconstructed by auvikogue. It’s a totally different take from the original song. This version is more Drone, Psych, Ambient and Industrial based. There are no heavy grooves at all. This song really has been deconstructed down to the bare elements of codeia’s sound with auvikogue giving an almost upbeat makeover to the darker original. 

“to be elevated beyond the crumbling skies” is a bold, daring and superbly put together release with codeia establishing themselves as one the best upcoming Experimental Post-Metal bands around. 

Words by Steve Howe

“to be elevated beyond the crumbling skies” is available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Narshardaa Records now.

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp 

Glasgow Coma Scale - Sirens (Album Review)

Release Date: 17th September 2021. Record Label: Tonzonen Records. Format: DD/Vinyl

Sirens - Tracklisting

1. Orion

2. Magik

3. Underskin

4. Sirens

5. Day 366

6. One Must Fall

Members

Piotr Kowalski - guitars, programming

Marek Kowalski – bass guitar

Lala Adamowicz - drums

Review

'Sirens' is Glasgow Coma Scale's third album but the only one I've listened to so far. How I have managed to miss this excellent trio from Frankfurt, Germany, is a mystery and shame on me! I'm a sucker for instrumental music when done right and Glasgow Coma Scale go way beyond that, so I am happy they finally appeared in my life.

They use their excellent musicianship to the fullest without overindulging, instead they build a wonderful foundation which allows them to create amazing images and soundscapes. Moving between tempos helps in this process and it helps to hit the right emotions. And to me this is catharsis music. What I mean is Glasgow Coma Scale rejuvenate and heal with their songs in the most perfect way. Every spin of 'Sirens' makes me feel so good, happy and relaxed. So follow me as I try to guide you through the wonder and beauty these guys project!

This Glasgow Coma Scale journey begins with what feels like travelling through a wondrous supernova, well the way I perceive it to feel, before the band launches into opener ‘Orion’. Keeping it mid-paced until it drops to the sound of space with a backdrop of a sampled voice. Eventually the song gradually builds up and I am transported into a realm where the cleansing and rebuilding begins. 

‘Magik’ picks up where ‘Orion’ left off but before you know it Glasgow Coma Scale get slightly heavier and faster only to slow down. As the pace weaves back and forth until the end when the song gets crushingly heavy, I feel more and more negativity wash away from me and something good is happening. The band is definitely working it’s magik on me. I come out of it floating in the ethereal world that is ‘Underskin’. Amazing images move in my line of vision before taking over my whole being; body, soul and mind are overrun with such a wonderful sensation and sense of well-being and joy. As the new me is taking shape the music increases in volume and intensity. 

This intensity continues in ‘Sirens’ where a sense of curiosity is present as I’m in the process of taking in the new me, all while interpreting and viewing the world around me with different eyes. ‘Day 366’ follows and it starts in a calm and serene fashion but erupts early on before settling in to that wonderful weaving back and forth Glasgow Coma Scale does so elegantly. A new dawn is rising for the recreated me as the feeling of wonder and curiosity as well as new-found hope is everywhere around. 

This amazing journey ends with ‘One Must Fall’. Musically it encapsulates the entire album when it comes to moods and tempos. For me personally this is where the old me and the new me come head to head and so far the new one always comes out on top. Fabulous!

After countless times listening to it, it’s impossible to let go of ‘Sirens’. Each time new things happen which builds on the greatness from all the previous spins, which in turn expands Glasgow Coma Scale’s immense talents. The foundation laid down by Marek and Lala, bass guitar and drums respectively, sets the tone for the whole album. What they do creates the platform and the freedom for Piotr to weave his magic wand and presto, magik happen. Together these three gentlemen are unstoppable, absolutely unstoppable and if life was fair Glasgow Coma Scale should rule the world. Ignore them at your peril!

Words by Håkan Nyman

Thanks to Creative Eclipse PR for the promo

Sirens will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Tonzonen Records from September 17th 2021

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp 

Solarnaut - S/T (Album Review)

Release Date: August 13th 2021. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD

Solarnaut - S/T - Tracklisting

1.Planet Earth 07:15

2.Forever Trusting Zion 11:23

3.Sad Poet 05:33

4.Chapel 06:45

5.Yog Sothoth 06:10

6.Home 08:23

7.When The World Ends 06:07

8.Far Below 14:04

Members

Ryan Kittrell

Review

Solarnaut is a one-man project from Bend, Oregon and is from the creative mind of Ryan Kettrill. Solarnaut have just released their S/T new album and it’s influenced by the same dizzying heights of Monster Magnet, Black Sabbath, OM and SLEEP. The album is quite a long journey running near 65 minutes of fantastical “Out Of This World” Spaced Out Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal.

The album the journey takes is quite interesting and varied within the confinements of Psych Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal. The vocals from Ryan are on show from the very start with the stunning opening track “Planet Earth”. A fuzzy and psychedelic tale with the usual style of Psych Metal sounds but with the added bonus of excellent Ambient sounds and groovy guitars that perhaps fall between Black Sabbath “DOOM” heaviness and The Sword “Warp Riders” Space Rock exploration.

This is the 4th album from Solarnaut and I’ve been a fan of his music since 2017’s Neptunes Frozen Eye. Ryan has been improving his musical and creative skills with each passing release and while I feel that Oceanic Titanic is a slightly better album than this, the album contains some of the heaviest and most varied work I’ve heard from Ryan to date. 

I’m not going to do a song-by-song review but I will point out my favourite songs on the record with: Forever Trusting Zion, Sad Poet, Chapel, Home and Far Below. The songs with the heaviest grooves and vibrant Stoned Out Energy with very cool production values as well. The sound of the album is good and contains a consistently raw violent feeling throughout.

Ryan focuses upon other areas of music on this record and I loved when the album brings in different timelines of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal but still remembering that this is mainly a Psychedelic Domo/Stoner Metal record. So nothing gets bogged down or lost with the different themes and sounds Ryan has laid down for this album.

This record is an absolute joy to listen to and another fantastic release from Solarnaut. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Links:

BandCamp