Margarita Witch Cult - Margarita Witch Cult (Album Review)

Release Date: April 21st 2023. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Margarita Witch Cult - S/T: Tracklisting

1.Diabolical Influence 04:17

2.Death Lurks At Every Turn 02:09

3.The Witchfinder Comes 04:54

4.Be My Witch 03:44

5.Annihilation 01:41

6.Theme From Cyclops 01:33

7.Lord Of The Flies 05:20

8.Aradia 03:44

9.Sacrifice 03:59

Review

Margarita Witch Cult debut album is a collection of Proto-Metal sounds that has a classic and modern quality throughout. The band fuse Doom, Stoner, Psych, Hard Rock and even Sludge Rock elements to their music. The end result is a record that has a “troublemaker” or “rebel” quality to it all. The sound is mostly powered by Proto-Doom grooves with a muscular Psychedelic presence. 

The seedy attitude of the album shines through on the excellent opening track Diabolical Influence which sees the band play a vintage blend of Stoner and Doom with a slightly Sludge based Psych sound that has elements of classic “Twin Guitars” on the later stages of the track.

Second track Death Lurks At Every Turn is a Heavy Punk/Sludge Rock number where the band play some of the fastest sounds on the album. The song has a “Speed Metal” feel which screams 1980’s Heavy Metal with perhaps Motorhead being a main influence. The subtle WEEDIAN grooves have a more gloomier feeling but the song remains catchy throughout and with the short running time, Margarita Witch Cult play some of the most interesting moments on this track alone. 

Third track The Witchfinder Comes is the band full on Doom Metal mode with heavy Occult and Proto-Metal grooves working wonderfully with the kick-ass vocals and superb lyrics. The track will appeal to fans of 1970’s Heavy Metal era that has moments of Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult inspired music appearing here and there. The song has a cool sounding Classic Hard Rock flow and the later stages moves into slightly Stoner based territory with fantastic Guitar Shredding being one of the best parts of the song. 

The next few songs Be My Witch, Annihilation and Theme From Cyclops sees Margarita Witch Cult switch things up a bit with more Heavy Metal ideas appearing but still being within the Proto-Doom or Proto-Metal mindset that allows Be My Witch and Theme From Cyclops being more standout tracks on the album to lookout for. The vocals on Be My Witch have a classic Punk Rock energy with more gloomy attitudes spilling over into Annihilation.

The final stages of the album follows the same creative template as the other tracks with perhaps a more seedier attitude appearing within the music that allows Lord Of The Flies being my favourite track off the whole album.

There is a buoyant and vibrant energy within this album and that’s mostly helped by the band’s addictive and fast-paced grooves. The lyrics are downright seedy at times and Margarita Witch Cult expertly play a mixture of great classic sounds from the hey-day 1970’s Doom Metal and 1990’s Psychedelic Stoner Metal and giving it a slightly contemporary feeling.

Margarita Witch Cult have teamed up with Heavy Psych Sounds for this album and you know with that powerhouse label’s backing, the album is going to sound wonderful. The production values are off the chart that allows Margarita Witch Cult to release an album that delivers all the goods where the grooves are concerned. 

Check out this great album now.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Margarita Witch Cult self titled debut is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds (Europe) and Heavy Psych Sounds (USA)

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Wolfnaut - Return Of The Asteroid (Album Review)

 

Release Date: April 21st 2023. Record Label: Ripple Music. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Return Of The Asteroid: Tracklisting

1.Brother of the Badlands 04:26 

2.My Orbit Is Mine 03:07

3.The Mighty Pawns 05:43

4.Crash Yer Asteroid 02:47

5.Arrows 04:41

6.G.T.R. 03:00

7.Something More Than Night 03:20

8.Crates of Doom 07:14

9.Wolfnaut's Lament 10:12

Members

Tor Erik Hagen: Bass

Ronny "Ronster" Kristiansen: Drums & Percussion

Kjetil Sæter: Guitars, Vocals & Piano

Review

Desert/Stoner Rockers Wolfnaut return with their fourth album Return Of The Asteroid and their first for Underground Juggernaut label Ripple Music. However, this hasn’t stopped the band creating their Heavy Metal inspired take on Desert/Stoner Rock with the band perhaps moving slightly further into the Heavy Metal realm. Their trademark Desert/Stoner grooves are here but with more emphasis on power and volume. 

The songs are catchy with the majority of the vocals and lyrics inspired by 1980’s Heavy Metal with perhaps Iron Maiden being a direct influence. This is a winning style of music which you can hear on the stunning opening track Brother Of The Badlands. A song that sees Wolfnaut inject some mighty cosmic flavours to the mix. The song is stylish with a classic Desert/Psych Rock sound being the main glue that holds everything together and the band move into different musical directions which can be quite progressive and melodic at the same time. 

The album is quite FUZZ based which comes more into focus on the next few songs of My Orbit Is Mine and The Mighty Pawns. The NWOBHM is there with the classic 1990’s Desert/Stoner Rock part of the album moving along at a cracking melodic pace. Kjetil’s vocals are top-notch when offering Old School Heavy Metal theatrics with the seedier Stoner Rock/Metal appearing here and there.

Return Of The Asteroid is a more daring, bolder and darker vision compared to their acclaimed last album. The creative themes are more vivid with the songs being more direct as well. The album is not what you would expect from Wolfnaut but with the band releasing album number four, they had to do something differently and they continue with that journey on sublime tracks such as Crash Yer Asteroid, G.T.R, Crates Of Doom and Wolfnaut’s Lament.

The only part of the album I didn't enjoy was the track Arrows. As it's mostly a ballad with some heavy moments. However, the song took the excitement from the album for a short period of time. Though, I do admire the creative choices that Wolfnaut made for this track. 

The final two songs Crates Of Doom and Wolfnaut’s Lament are where the band shine the most with some of the most passionate and heaviest grooves on the album. This part of the album has a “OVER THE TOP” and “WAY OUT THERE” presence but Wolfnaut keeps everything real with their dynamic use of Stoner and Weedian themes even within the NWOBHM framework that ultimately makes this album work.

This is a thrilling and action-packed album which will keep fans of Old School Heavy Metal and Stoner Metal entertained for a long time to come. 

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Return Of The Asteroid is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Ripple Music

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Eric Angelo Bessel - Visitation (Album Review)

Release Date: April 20th 2023. Record Label: Lore City Music. Formats: DD/Vinyl

Vistiation: Tracklisting

Sunken Prism

A Tap On The Shoulder

Hoax

Secret Lake

It's So Far Away

Less Red

Highest Invoking

Kindly Rewind

Members

Eric Agnelo Bessel - Everything

Review

Eric Angelo Bessel is perhaps best known for being a member of Post-Rock/Art-Rock Duo Lore City who have impressed me with their last few releases. Eric is releasing his debut album with Visitation which is a chilled out Psych/Drone/Post-Rock/Art-Rock collection of haunting and melodic tracks. There is a sense of warmth and exploration on this album which has a slight Science Fiction or Science Fact vibe. The album does feel like a soundtrack to an Art-house Science Fiction movie and if Blade Runner was originally made today I could see this album being part of the soundtrack.

The instrumental work is stunning, there's no other way to describe it. Ambient Post-Rock textures slowly build into other areas of Gothic based music. The album is slow-paced and will perhaps disappoint folks who are looking for their next "HEAVY" fix. This isn't that kind of album. Eric Angelo Bessel is all about sonic exploration with the foundations of Post Rock and Psych Rock. The music is mostly nuanced which allows Eric to explore different classical sound structures which you can hear on the excellent opening two songs of Sunken Prism and A Tap On The Shoulder. Both tracks show different sides to Eric's creative drive and vision. Both haunting and delivering different blends of Ambient/Droned Out Post-Rock. 

The album is purely instrumental and I believe vocals would damage the great work that Eric has achieved with Visitation. The soulful and blissful vibes are quite uplifting but with almost Post-Doom edge. Inspired by experimental sounds of the Eighties and Nineties scenes, Eric does contain some gloomy and downbeat moments when the need calls for this.

Other outstanding tracks include Secret Lake, Less Red, Highest Invoking and Kindly Rewind with these tracks having the richest and most interesting styles of music on the album. I never thought of Post-Rock having a romantic quality to the album but I feel Eric has achieved that with this release especially with most chilled out and blissfully drawn out Progressive themes that remain on the album.

Visitation also benefits from richly observed production values that allows Eric to release a sublime album that lasts long in the memory. This could end up becoming one of the most interesting and fascinating releases from the Post-Rock scene I've heard in a very long time.

The album won't be for everyone but if you want to experience a Post-Rock album with a mighty difference then Visitation might be the album for you.

Words by Steve Howe

Visitation is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via Lore City Music and is distributed by various stockists now.

Links

BandCamp

Cavern Deep Premiere New Song/Video For A WORLD BEREAVED From Upcoming Album PART II - BREACH

A World Bereaved is the second single of Cavern Deep's upcoming album "Part II - Breach" releasing the 14th of July.

It is the 3rd song on the concept album and its synopsis is as follows:

"No more memories of its earlier existence than glitching, flickering images. Like waking up from distant clouded nightmares. Skin is thin, sore, still growing as it lumbers through desolate landscapes. No signs of life to be seen. The ground is torn by sickly pulsating spirals, shooting up in the thick clouds above. Passing former displays of architectural grandeur; now caved in like hollow skulls. A sense of purpose is shaping inside as it finds its paths through the wasteland."

Watch the music video here:

Pre-order the album

Vinyl Pre-order:

https://bonebagrecords.com/products/cavern-deep-part-ii-breach-12-vinyl-pre-order

CD Digipack Pre-order:

https://bonebagrecords.com/products/cavern-deep-part-ii-breach-digipack-cd-pre-order

Follow Cavern Deep:

https://www.instagram.com/caverndeep/

https://www.facebook.com/caverndeep/

https://www.youtube.com/@caverndeep

https://caverndeep.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7bkqNlCj8EPtEkknkEsNs6?si=w-8Fa7VpS6-sw3Dsc-Hd3g

https://music.apple.com/se/artist/cavern-deep/1536370491

Follow Bonebag Records:

https://www.facebook.com/bonebagrecords

https://www.instagram.com/bonebagrecords

https://bonebagrecords.com/

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

Magnetic Eye Records presents new Redux Series installment "Superunknown Redux" and companion volume "Best of Soundgarden Redux"

Magnetic Eye Records presents new Redux Series installment "Superunknown Redux" and companion volume "Best of Soundgarden Redux" via Kickstarter

Magnetic Eye Records have announced the next installment in their acclaimed Redux Series of cover versions honouring legendary rock classics with a pair of double albums paying tribute to grunge gods SOUNDGARDEN in the form of "Superunknown Redux" and "Best of Soundgarden Redux".

Following established tradition, the label is presenting the project first with a Kickstarter campaign, and today reveals the inclusion of a track featuring an actual member of SOUNDGARDEN, in the form of drummer Matt Cameron contributing to a cover by doom metal meets throat singing project Marc Urselli's STEPPENDOOM. Alongside Cameron are guitarist Alain Johannes (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, ELEVEN), and STONED JESUS vocalist Igor Sydorenko as well as throat singers Albert Kuvezin (YAT-KHA) and Utelo. 

Other artists announced on "Superunknown Redux" and "Best of Soundgarden Redux" to date include:

MARISSA NADLER

UFOMAMMUT

DOZER

HEAVY TEMPLE

BEASTWARS

FREEDOM HAWK

DARKHER

RESTLESS SPIRIT

SOMNURI

HIGH PRIEST

JACK HARLON AND THE DEAD CROWS

BLUE HERON

HORSEBURNER

JOSIAH

HIGH DESERT QUEEN

The Kickstarter campaign is underway and will continue until April 28 at this link:

www.kickstarter.com/projects/magneticeye/superunknown-redux-and-best-of-soundgarden-redux

Jadd Shickler comments: "Next year is the 30th anniversary of the release of 'Superunknown', but we didn't need an anniversary to justify an homage to this band", states the Magnetic Eye Records label director. "Grunge has a lot of the same seeds as stoner rock and doom metal. Titanic riffs, splashes of psychedelia, and complete authenticity, combined with an absolute refusal to ever feel artificial or pretentious. Soundgarden have always been this perfect point of connection for everyone in the heavy rock underground. They're simply the best of what came out of the grunge scene, and also the holy grail of irrefutable catchiness meets uncompromising heaviness. We can hardly wait for folks to hear what the artists we've gathered have done in reverent tribute to Chris, Kim, Ben, and Matt."

Rising at the end of the 20th Century, SOUNDGARDEN were loud, heavy, genuine, and unaffected by whatever was cool. Their mix of weighty power, soaring melodies and punk sneer made them ideal standard bearers for the grunge movement, but their towering musicianship and intelligent songcraft helped them transcend the era and remain iconic far beyond their origins in the Seattle scene. Arguably their finest and most comprehensive statement, "Superunknown" was the album that launched them to global mega-stardom. It contains some of the most lasting, meaningful, and heaviest songs they ever wrote.

"Superunknown Redux" presents new takes on all fifteen tracks from the seminal SOUNDGARDEN album from some of the loudest, coolest, and most eclectic bands across rock and metal today, along with a few less heavy but absolutely captivating contributions. Along with "Superunknown Redux", we also present our "Best of Soundgarden Redux" companion album, offering up another 15 all-time classics and deep cuts from across the rest of the grunge gods' extensive catalog.

The Magnetic Eye Redux Series features hand-picked classic albums from across the history of rock and metal re-imagined in their entirety from start to finish. Artists we love from within and outside the heavy rock landscape choose tracks to make their own, bringing these milestone records into the new millennium with crushing heaviness and searing energy. To date, we've produced Redux editions of PINK FLOYD's "The Wall", HELMET's "Meantime", BLACK SABBATH's "Vol. 4", HENDRIX's "Electric Ladyland", ALICE IN CHAINS' "Dirt", and AC/DC's "Back in Black", which have included artists like RED FANG, MATT PIKE, PALLBEARER, THE MELVINS, ALL THEM WITCHES, KHEMMIS, ASG, SUPERSUCKERS, ZAKK WYLDE, MARK LANEGAN, RUBY THE HATCHET, and many more amazing artists.

Join us for our seventh foray into Redux territory as we pay proper respect to the Seattle legends. More artist announcements to follow soon!

The Lumbar Endeavour - A Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem (Album Review)

Release Date: April 20th 2023. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

A Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem: Tracklisting

1.A Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Pt. One 09:51

2.A Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Pt. Two 09:49

3.A Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Pt. Three 09:32

4.A Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Pt. Four 10:36

5.A Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Pt. Five 06:02

6.A Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Pt. Six 09:16

Members

Guitar, bass, drum kit, cello, classical guitar, organ and synth materials by Aaron D.C. Edge

Guitar leads, additional guitar texture and violin sections by Aaron Walters

Vocals by George Chamberlin

Review

Well I suppose if you want to cover the most definitive Stoner Metal album for the HOLY WEEDIAN HOLIDAY of 4/20  then it would be SLEEP’s legendary Dopesmoker. That would be the safest choice but The Lumbar Endeavour decided to think differently. As Aaron Edge the main creative force behind The Lumbar Endeavour decided to cover Jerusalem in its entirety. Aaron is joined by Aaron Walters and George Chamberlain for this also legendary album.

A Holy Pilgrimage To Jerusalem is a totally different thing to the original. As the band have made the songs longer and added different sound effects within the whole album. The sound is more multi-layered and is quite progressive with different instruments being played on this version including Cello, Classical Guitar, Organ and Synths all played by Aaron D.C. Edge  You also have violins played by Aaron Walters that all offer a record that’s quite contemporary and classical compared to the original version.

The Lumbar Endeavour even adds some face-melting guitar solos that are quite vivid and freaky in places especially on A Holy Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Pt. Two. You would never hear Matt Pike play that style of music but it somehow works. This is one band’s take on a great song from an iconic album. Somehow, the band makes it their own thing with the different styles of music being played for this track and for the whole album.

The album has more droned out effects, psychedelic sound and spaced out ideas. This has a more “Drugged Out” feel when compared to the original. The instrumental work on this album is first rate from everyone involved. George’s vocals are both a respectful homage to Al Cisneros and their own thing especially when the “Proceeds The Weedian, Nazareth” parts appear. 

Aaron D.C. Edge has added a trippy Middle Eastern vibe into this record with certain sounds, themes and textures that make this one of the best cover albums I’ve heard in years. 

One other thing that stands out is the first rate production values. This album is aggressively loud and self contained when the quieter moments appear. The Droned Out vision of the original album remains intact here but with a more diverse sonic attitude that perhaps die-hard fans of SLEEP will truly appreciate. 

Back in 2018, SLEEP broke the internet on 4/20 by releasing their classic album The Sciences without very little publicity or fanfare. It’s great to see The Lumbar Endeavour carrying on that tradition in releasing their own definitive take on a true “WEEDIAN HOLIDAY CLASSIC” even if it’s not Dopesmoker. 

This version is a bold, complex and psychedelic head-trip that is a loving homage to SLEEP and another wonderfully adventurous record from The Lumbar Endeavour who are fast becoming one of the most interesting bands within the Doom/Sludge Metal Underground Scene.

You know what to do with this album. Buy it now. You won’t be sorry. 

Happy 4/20 everyone. As the legendary band SLEEP state - “Proceeds The Weedian, Nazareth”

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Aaron D.C. Edge for the promo.

A Holy Pilgrimage To Jerusalem is available to buy now on DD.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Olde Grale - Blood Of Fools (EP Review)

Release Date: April 20th 2023. Record Label: Salt Of The Earth Records. Formats: CD/DD

Blood Of Fools: Tracklisting

Separation Anxiety

Blood Of Fools

Senile Dementia

Unseen Reaper

Faith Healer

Members

Guitars: Greg Dawson and Chris "Hippy" Hughes"

Drums: Ryan Aubin and Kevin Farmer

Vocals: Doug McLarty and Daniel Allen

Bass: Mark Rand and Cory McCallum

Review

Doom/Stoner Metal underground heroes Olde and Grale have joined forces for a new musical project called Olde Grale and they're releasing their debut EP Blood Of Fools on 4/20 aka the WEEIDIAN Holy Day. If you're expecting a split EP then you'll sadly be mistaken. This is a new project where the band has doubled up on everything with the instrumentals and vocals department. So this is a band with two drummers, two bassists, two guitarists and two vocalists.

The EP is a mixture of Doom, Sludge, Stoner, Psych, Thrash and Death Metal leading the creative charge. You have both bands playing their own sound to a more extreme level in places. The music is constantly engaging with a vicious and ferocious sound to it which is brought to the party on the excellent opening track Separation Anxiety. 

The song brings a Hardcore and Thrash based element to the party. The "twin effect" delivery is used superbly well with each band member getting the chance to the shine. The rhythm section is my favourite part of this track. As the drumming and bass work is simply sublime with the heavy pounding rhythms. The sludgy aggressive guitars has a certain early High On Fire quality to it but the dual vocals brings a sense of panic and gloomy heaviness to the EP that offers at small hints of further brutality along the way. There's a kick-ass melodic section where Olde Grale move further into Post-Whatever realms with parts of catchy melodic Psych Doom/Stoner Metal having an uplifting feel to it all.

Second song Blood Of Fools opens with a slightly Droned and Distorted guitar groove with the pounding drums bringing a more HEAVY METAL charge along the way. Vocals have a metallic and classic heavy metal approach to them. The guitars make the song what it is with thunderous DOOMY riffs that bring along what we all love about the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal scene that has a more atmospheric vibe. The lyrics blend themes from both Classic Heavy Metal and Modern Day Sludge/Stoner Metal with the band touching upon Psychedelic Metal and Post-Doom flourishes for the more restrained parts of the track.

Third song Senile Dementia is one of the most interesting tracks on the EP with Olde Grale using a classic style of almost Operatic Doom for the vocals that first appear. The riffs are forged from Thrash Metal and Sludge Metal that allows their music to be more focused. Olde Grale become part of the Extreme Metal crowd with a violent style of vocals, grooves and twisted lyrics. There's an Atmospheric and twisted Post-Stoner appetite on this track but becomes more thrilling when the band switch to Thrash Metal beat-downs and breakdowns. Definitely my favourite track on the EP. 

The final two tracks Unseen Reaper and Faith Healer allow Olde Grale to play more distorted and dark creative visions especially with the more Droned out parts that appear on Unseen Reaper. The Thrash/Sludge Metal sounds brings that "Apocalyptic" or "End Of The World" vision the band have used for the majority of the EP. 

The instrumental work and vocals perhaps feel more in unison here on this part of the EP with every part and aspect of the EP relying on each other to move onto the next engaging part. These two tracks are both nuanced and contain some of the best instrumental work and vocals contained on the EP.

Blood Of Fools is an EP that offers a bleak, cold and despairing vision which is what you need for an EP such as this. The main creative theme for the EP is bold and insightful. This allows both Olde and Grale to try new and exciting different things for the record whilst offering fans of both bands something familiar to fully embrace and even ROOT for. 

Olde Grale have delivered an action packed spectacle with Blood Of Fools. The EP offers an Extreme style of Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal but if you're looking for fast-paced, aggressive and catchy grooves riffs then this is the real deal.

Hopefully we'll hear more from Olde Grale in the future.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Blood Of Fools is available to buy now on CD/DD via Salt Of The Earth Records.

Olde Links

Facebook | BandCamp

Grale Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram