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Released: 2023 Genre: Stoner rock Sounds Like: Greenleaf, Truckfighters, Kal-El Homeland: Sweden What makes Drifting in the Endless Void elite and sit atop OHMs Peak? After a 15 year hiatus since the Swedish foursome put out ‘Beyond Colossal’ they come back with a tremendous vengeance delivering ‘Drifting in the Endless Void’ an absolute powerhouse of an album Dozer were instrumental in shaping the original European stoner rock scene and amazingly keep the vibrancy alive with a modern tilt and more expansive sound Nordin’s vocal performance on this album is absolutely stunning, ebbing from muffled distant spaced out eerie corners to in your face unfiltered beauty. The variety in tone provides for one hell of an entertaining journey Drifting in the Endless Void hits all the right notes as it has an atmospheric, sci-fi fuzzed-fueled theme Holappa soars with laser focused contrast and beautiful precision. A key driver in our excitement surrounding this album is the deeper layered texture that the fretwork unravels. The band takes more risk in expanding riff angles and it pays off in a big way All tracks exceed our expectations, but we take special note of ‘Missing 13’. This track is so absorbing with its melancholy entrance and creeping build-up. Clearly one of the most anthemic and heartfelt tracks we have heard in a long long time Bottom line is that Dozer has not just put out an album here to tack on to the relatively recent Stoner resurgence. Rather, it is abundantly clear that this album has been brewing in their minds for many years. The patience, care, and craftsmanship taken to evolve their sound and put out a piece that hits so many marks is just what the scene needed. Thought leaders in the genre for sure Track Listing: 1. Mutation/Transformation 07:31 2. Ex-Human, Now Beast 04:29 video 3. Dust for Blood 04:41 4. Andromeda 05:13 5. No Quarter Expected, No Quarter Given 05:32 6. Run, Mortals, Run! 06:44 7. Missing 13 08:34 Standout Tracks 'Dust for Blood' will win you over with its stoner bounce and majestic vocals from Fredrik Nordin. 'Missing 13' is all consuming loaded with drifting stoner space rock. Brew Pairing for Drifting in the Endless Void Part of the Light by California based Gradient Beer. This 7% IPA hits with aromas and flavors of grapefruit and berries with a welcome bitter aftertaste. it takes a few sips to enjoy this one, but well worth it. Dozer are: Johan Rockner – Bass Tommi Holappa – Guitars Fredrik Nordin – Guitars, vocals Sebastian Olsson – Drums Follow Dozer: Bandcamp / Facebook Dozer Merch

Released: 2023 Genre: Stoner rock Sounds Like: Villagers of Ioannina City, JIRM Homeland: Australia What makes Creatures elite and sit atop OHMs Peak? The trio from Australia have taken their signature sound to new heights. Creatures delivers boldly intricate guitar angles throughout coupled with richly textured songwriting. Khan's ability to blend expansive psychedelia with elements of pinpoint progressive fretwork and stoner rock overlays makes for the perfect recipe The peaks and valleys this album takes us through is pure euphoria. Stunning attention to detail Josh Bills guitar tones and precision are groundbreaking. His heavy psychedelic meandering engulfs the listener. 'How Old' leading into 'Follow' are prime examples Immense layers of progressive-fueled heaviness is accentuated by the tremendous percussion and deep bass The vocals from Josh Bills are so well-balanced and original. He possess a patient and soft approach, yet strong underpinnings. Checkout the frailty within ‘Confusion’ that burst into aggression. Some of the most powerful contrast to bless our speakers 40 minutes of fantastic escape, Khan have delivered 6 tracks of unfettered beauty Track Listing: 1. Slow (6:17) 2. How Old (6:31) 3. Follow (10:08) 4. Eyes, Lungs, Arms & Mind (7:47) 5. Confusion (5:33) 6. Creatures (4:50) Q&A with Khans' Josh Bills (singer/guitarist/song writer) OHMs Peak: Can you provide us more insight behind the album name?? Khan: Each Khan release has been named after one of the tracks from the album. I usually pick the song that evokes the best imagery and summarises the feel of the album with the album art. OHMs Peak: Your music delivers an unusual atmospheric feel, are there certain locations or settings that inspire your creation? Khan: There wasn’t any specific location or setting that inspired Creatures, I think it had more to do with my headspace and things that were going on in my life at the time. I do really enjoy the grandness of fantasy and sci-fi in both gaming and film so would definitely be influenced by the visuals and scores on a subconscious level. OHMs Peak: "Eyes, Lungs, Arms & Mind" is one of the most relaxing and pensive tunes we have experienced in a long time, take us through the creation of this track? Khan: All the songs for Creatures were actually written during the time when I was writing the album Vale but were originally meant for another project (a 2 piece that I had started with a mate). The songs were all written in the period of about a month (with the track listing being the order in which I wrote them), but the project never ended up doing much and the songs just sat there until the decision was made to turn them into Khan songs. Originally, they were written on a hybrid guitar/bass sort of like a baritone guitar and I would loop parts and play lead lines over the top. So when making them Khan songs, I turned most of the original guitar parts into bass parts and then wrote new guitar parts for sections that needed filling out. Although, the solo for How Old is actually the original demo solo on the baritone style guitar. Each song underwent the same process of being put together, I think there was just something magical that happened with ‘Eyes, Lungs, Arms & Mind’. Honestly, it’s kind of hard to remember as all of the Vale and Creatures (and my first solo album) music was written at a similar time around 9-10 years ago haha. OHMs Peak: Any plans in the near future to tour in the US? Khan: We would absolutely love to get to North America but haven’t got any plans for the near future. Hopefully we can get over there with our next album which is very much underway! OHMs Peak: If you could choose any band to tour with that fits your atmosphere, who would it be? Khan: There’s a few bands that we’d love to tour with that we think fit certain aspects of our atmosphere. Karnivool, Elder, Tool & Cog OHMs Peak: Favorite venue to play at? Khan: Our favourite venue to play was at Frankie’s Pizza in Sydney because it had such an amazing vibe and we were always treated so well but unfortunately they had to shut down to make way for a metro train station. So now the title for Khan’s favourite venue to play is back up for grabs! OHMs Peak: How did the album art come about and who created? Khan: I purchased the artwork for Creatures at the same time as purchasing the artwork for our previous album Monsoons. The artist is Reza Afshar and he had just posted a speed painting which I saw and thought it would be perfect for our next album (we had just decided to turn the Creatures songs into Khan songs). It has a beautiful darkness to it which I felt that it connected with the music perfectly. Khan are: Josh Bills - Vocals/Guitar/Keys Mitchell Kerr - Bass Beau Heffernan - Drums Written, recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Josh Bills at Vagabond Studios Artwork by Reza Afshar Follow Khan: Bandcamp / Facebook Khan Merch Music (vinyl, CDs, cassettes & digital) Merch (hoodies, t-shirts, hats, beanies etc.)

Released: 2023 Genre: Psychedelic rock, Stoner rock Sounds Like: King Buffalo, Aunt Cynthia's Cabin Homeland: Oregon What makes Wished Eye elite and sit atop OHMs Peak? Dommengang have melded classic jam band and folk influences atop a wild blend of fuzzy psychedelics that will soothe your everyday travels The Portland based trio deliver nine lofty tracks that flow eloquently together through peaks and valleys of psychedelic heaviness and comforting blues The vocals of Sig Wilson and Brian Markham soak in the 70s psych influences with perfection and take the meandering tracks to another level. Wished Eye keeps building momentum upon each listen conjuring landscapes in whatever shape you imagine. The album has been a staple in our rotation and an effective means to lowering our blood pressure. It’s the ultimate travel companion Track Listing: 1. Runaway (6:06) 2. Society Blues (4:43) 3. Last Card (5:06) 4. Myth Time (5:08) 5. Little Beirut (1:47) 6. Blue & Peaceful (5:04) 7. Petrichor (4:27) 8. Wished Eye (3:33) 9. Flower (4:55) Standout Tracks A daunting task for an album of this eliteness, but 'Society Blues' and 'Blue & Peaceful' will lure you in with their punchy, raw psychedelic heaviness. Activities suited for Wished Eye This album is perfect for that brisk morning hike or chill bonfire with some 9% Galactic Vagabond IPA from Lord Hobo Brewing in Massachusetts. Dommengang are: Brian Markham - Bass, Vocals Adam Bulgasem - Drums Sig Wilson - Guitars, Vocals Follow Dommengang: Bandcamp / Facebook Dommengang Merch

Released: 2022 Genre: Stoner rock Sounds Like: Truckfighters, Greenleaf, Fu Manchu Homeland: Bradford, UK Album Overview Over the past few years, Psychlona have become a staple in the stoner rock genre. From the gritty debut of Mojo Rising to the sonic masterpiece of Venus Skytrip, the foursome have delivered another stellar piece of spaced-out fuzz with Palo Verde. This album contains eight glorious tracks of mesmerizing and colorful stoner rock. MUSIC: The progression of Palo Verde feels natural as it follows in the footsteps go Venus Skytrip. The music is so fucking crisp and layered very well, with tremendous production, yet not over produced. It's a patient album that is heavy, yet trippy at the same time. The opening track, "Gasoline" gets right into it after a short buildup of distortion. The song soars with tons of heavy groove, we think there is a piano nestled into the heaviness at times and it's brilliant. This leads right into the addictive stoned riffs of the single "1975". Holy hell this song just hits all the right notes, it's impossible to not replay this one a few times back-to-back before getting to the next song. The album possesses very strong percussion and grounding hypnotic bass. The guitars are spacey with Truckfighters clarity and hit with Fu Machu distortion; all together forming a vibrant stoner work of art. VOCALS: The vocals are lofty, a bit muffled and float effortlessly among the music. It's a clean style that sets them apart in this genre. ALBUM ART: The artwork fits this album perfectly. The psychedelic tree painting will lure you in, than it's game over... you'll become an all out Psychlona fan. Track Listing: 1. Gasoline 4:41 2. 1975 6:03 3. Rainbird 6:25 4. Meet Your Devil 5:29 5. Purple River 6:38 6. Jetplane 4:49 7. La Tolvanera 5:29 8. Warped 7:05 Standout Track(s) This is an almost impossible task, but we love "1975" for the driving stoner vibe and "Purple River" for its spacey and chilled feel. Brew Pairing Grab some Juicy Bits IPA from WeldWerks Brewing in Colorado. This 6.7% hazy IPA is not too sweet, in fact it has a slight classic bitterness that pair well with Palo Verde. Psychlona are: Martyn - Bass Scott - Drums Phil - Guitars, Vocals Dave - Guitars, Vocals Follow Psychlona: Bandcamp / Facebook

Released: 2023 Genre: Stoner rock Sounds Like: King Buffalo, Arenna, Elder Homeland: Germany What makes Terminal Forest elite and sit atop OHMs Peak? Terminal Forest is a blissful finely detailed album that intensifies with each listen. The trio from Germany have outdone themselves on this album. They deliver some of the most peaceful heavy psych to bless our speakers this year The waves of heavy brilliance against the calmer moments will rival any classic stoner rock album Much akin to any Kyuss or Tool album SVH‘s Terminal Forest contains that meandering and euphoric feel that engulfs the listener start to finish Massive swells of fuzz-fueled heaviness are accentuated by the tremendous percussion and deep bass David Kreisl's vocals are so well-balanced and possess a melancholy yet hopeful tone. His patient soft approach and unique timbre whisk you away to different thought provoking landscapes The opener "Microbe Galaxy" is an absolute gem that transports the listener into aerial and spacious settings. "Looking For Bird Pet" maintains the lofty feel with a wildly unique and harder edge an absolutely brilliant segue into the engrossingly vibrant closer "Star Fever" Hats off to Fuzzorama Records, who continue to support top of the line works. Terminal Forest could very well be their finest release to date Track Listing: 1. Microbe Galaxy 11:24 2. The Hunger 05:11 3. Space Bash III 03:08 4. Terminal Forest 10:00 5. Looking For Bird Pet 04:18 6. Star Fever 12:19 Q&A with Swan Valley Heights OHMs Peak: Terminal Forest delivers such a majestic and outdoor feel. Are there certain locations or settings that inspire your creation? Swan Valley Heights: Each one of us certainly has his own affinity for nature and the outdoors. The fact that we not only recorded but also wrote the album in a self-built studio in a cabin in the woods has definitely shaped the whole record in every way. It was very important to us to keep the sound of Terminal Forest as natural and "earthy" as possible – without losing heaviness of course. OHMs Peak: 'Star Fever’ is one of the most relaxing and pensive tunes we have experienced in a long time. Take us through the creation of this track. Swan Valley Heights: 'Star Fever' was the last track we worked on during the sessions where we wrote almost the entire album. We loved the general idea and vibe of the riffs and parts we had, but we thought that the song didn't have a proper flow yet. So two days before we started recording, we basically rewrote half of the song into what you can hear on the record. Also, Jona Raischl (the guy who recorded Terminal Forest) and Andy did a fantastic job at creating those deep synthesizer and cymbal soundscapes at various moments in Star Fever, to give the song an even grander feeling. That was all improvised. OHMs Peak: How did the album art come about and who created? Swan Valley Heights: The album cover was done by Dario Puggioni, an incredible artist and a friend of our drummer Andy. We had the album title Terminal Forest before we thought about what the cover should or could like. So when we saw this painting, it was clear that we'd do our utmost to get it as the cover art. It was also quite an adventure to get a usable photo of this massive oil painting, but we are super happy how everything turned out. Swan Valley Heights are: Andy Ozbolt – Drums, Synthesizers, Backing vocals Chris Schmidt – Bass David Kreisl – Guitar, Vocals Jona Raischl – Live recording, additional synthesizers & backing vocals Role (Die Tonmeisterei) – Mixing & Mastering Dario Puggioni – Album Cover artwork Follow Swan Valley Heights: Bandcamp / Facebook Swan Valley Heights Merch

Released: 2021 Genre: Doom, Post-metal Sounds Like: Opeth, Arctic Sleep, Saturn’s Husk Homeland: Psychonaut- Belgium / Saver- Norway Album Overview A pairing that fits like an absolute glove Psychonaut’s psychedelic landscapes and progressive build-ups shine beautifully with the visionary doom terrain in Saver Both trios exude a clean precision in their work. Top shelf production Would love to see more split’s with this much complimentary vision Name Your Price on BandCamp. Explore the heavy and throw some hard earned cash their way Track Overview: 1. The Great Realisation (16:30) - Psychonaut This is a flat out beautiful track from Psychonaut. The trio from Belgium paint a rich landscape with some early poignant melodies. Tremendous progression on this track with a slow build hitting its stride at about the 5 minute mark. Cavernous bottom ensues thereafter where the psych aficionados bring things down to a near halt only to morph into progressive atmospheric introspective. Somewhat predictable closure with the powerful exit, but all in all a cathartic psychedelic progressive gem. 2. Dimensions Lost, Obscured by Aeons (19:05) - Sȃver Soothing minimalist synth opening that progresses into a cacophony of wonderful brooding weight. The trio from Norway have a knack for layering consistent rhythms and undercurrent to build up to moments of energetic anguish. Contrast abound as this track spirals through dark tunnels and rays of very bright light. Brew Pairing This Split EP screams for a nice classic Dark N Stormy. 2 oz Dark Rum, 3 1/3 oz Ginger Beer, Couple dashes of bitters. To compliment these two visionary bands we are going to recommend some top shelf El Dorado Port Mourant Single Still Rum to accompany Barritt's Original Ginger Beer. Psychonaut are: Stefan De Graef - Guitar/Vocals Thomas Michiels - Bass/Vocals Harm Peters - Drums Sȃver are: Markus Stole - Drums Ole Rokseth - Vocals/Guitar Ole Christian Helstad - Bass Follow Psychonaut: Facebook / Bandcamp Follow Sȃver: Facebook / Bandcamp

Released: 2021 Genre: Folk rock, Hard rock Sounds Like: Schomberg Fair, Devil Makes Three Homeland: Winston Salem, North Carolina Album Overview Chronicles the journey of a fugitive named Clay Blackwell Storytelling at its finest. Album 3 hits new majestic heights for the trio Beautiful dark imagery set to a riveting lyrical backdrop Thickly layered melodies. Heck and Tyson deliver superb fretwork with Sunday the Drifter’s stalwart percussion Refreshingly entertaining and original. One listen will have you downloading all three concept album releases “In this season, we find orphaned brothers, Clay and Henry, desperate to break out of their hometown and make a name for themselves. The brothers decide to rob a bank, but the stick-up goes bad leaving some innocent folks lifeless. Henry has a moment of deep reflection where he considers whether the life of an outlaw is his path. Clay offers to take the fall for the whole robbery allowing Henry to escape. Clay is apprehended and lands in prison while Henry goes into hiding. Over the years the guilt of letting his brother take the rap begins to eat at Henry while Clay confronts his own mortality on death row.” Not a bad track in the lot. Brilliant balance and flow. The melodies in ‘Jesus of Ohio’ are jaw-dropping inspiration. Previous seasons: Las Cruces (2013) No Accomplice (2018) Tracklist: 1. All Thins Pass, All Things Change (5:07) 2. Bootlickers/Shitkicker (4:38) 3. Poor as Dirt (4:48) 4. After the Hold Up (4:18) 5. Carry the Weight (4:52) 6. Jesus of Ohio (5:08) 7. The State’s Man (2:33) 8. Whiskey with a Ghost (3:18) 9. 7 Years on Death Row (4:24) 10. Name and Blood (6:15) Brew Pairing Mother Earth Brewing Company from Kinston North Carolina have a wonderfully diverse collection of brews. “The Marrow of Our Truth” goes blissfully with ‘Honey’ at 7.9% ABV. This is an American/English-Style Double IPA, brewed using honey from Neuse Regional Beekeepers in Kinston, NC. A wallop of pungent American hops, with flavors of fruity hop bitterness giving way to a sweet honey finish. Cactus Black are: Mike Tyson - guitars, vox, keys Randy Heck - bass, backing vox Sunday the Drifter - drums Follow Cactus Black: Facebook / Bandcamp

Released: 2021 Genre: Stoner metal Sounds Like: Baroness, Leather Lung, Acid Magus Homeland: Spain Album Overview Manantial de Sangre y Muerte is a gritty stoner metal album with tons of emotion and barbaric styled vocals The vocal style of Manu is gut-wrenching and heartfelt. He really lays it all out on this album The stoner metal is has a progressive feel at times, somewhat like new Baroness or Torche The pace really picks up on "Imperial State Cadáver," where they cross over into thrash territory We love the transitions between stoner metal, classic heavy metal and some sludge... it'll works Don't sleep on their debut album either, it possess a more homegrown metal feel Tracklist: 1. Marcha Fúnebre 2:59 2. Oorlog 8:33 3. La Logia Negra de la Muerte 4:44 4. Muertxs 4:12 5. Imperial State Cadáver 5:25 6. Serpientes 4:54 7. Rostros Ardiendo (Dis Manibus) 3:04 8. El Silencio 5:54 Standout Tracks: Oorlog The longest track of the lot. This song hots with tremendous fuzz and some clean backing vocals. As the song progresses it spirals into a sludgy affair with the addicting drums of Panchi. The bass from Luis provides help with the sludge. Did we mention this song fucking jams as well bouncing back and fourth between classic and progressive metal. Serpientes Wow, such engrossing heavy mid-tempo fuzz here with more inspiring barbaric vocals by Manu. The guitars between Óscar and Fidel is almost jaw dropping, the way they interact with each other. A great headphone tune. La Logia Negra de la Muerte Just a filthy sounding stoner metal song with that makes you want to jump in the pit. The last minute of the song is brilliant in the way they bring it down... fuzz moment of the year. Brew Pairing Colossal Claude by Rouge Ales Brewing. This 8.5% IPA has a medium body with tastes and aromas of pineapple and other citrus fruit. A strong brew that pairs well with Manantial de Sangre y Muerte. Voltaje Cadáver: Óscar: Guitars Manu: Voice Fidel: Guitars Panchi: Drums Luis: Bass Follow Voltaje Cadáver: Facebook / Bandcamp

Released: 2015 Genre: Stoner rock, Space rock Sounds Like: Monster Magnet, Harsh Toke, Olatungi Homeland: Philedelphia Album Overview Ecstatic Vision's debut album is a wondrous trip mixing ill-advised hallucinogens and psychoactive drugs to formulate one hell of a ride. Intelligent production compliments the smoke and byproduct that formulates from the cauldrons of this seamless journey providing heavy influences from the extremely hard to duplicate recipe of Monster Magnet's 1991 classic 25…Tab. Fans of this classic album are in for quite the treat. The trio hailing from Philadelphia do an exceptional job in developing an otherworldly atmospheric journey blending classic stoner rock with krautrock and yes some surprising splashes of afrobeat influences. Ecstatic Vision bring together all the requisite trip inducing ingredients such as intense echo vocals, lofty swirling guitars, and space rock percussion assuaging your eardrums and eventually making there way to your bloodshot retinal nerve. We commend Relapse Records for branching out into slightly different territory for them Track Listing: 1. Journey - 5:12 2. Astral Plane (part 1) - 4:08 3. Astral Plane (part II) - 3:24 4. Astral Plane (part III) - 5:06 5. Don't Kill The Vibe - 5:00 6. Sonic Praise - 5:25 7. Follow The Path - :27 8. Cross The Divide - 9:16 Ideally, Sonic Praise should be listened to in one sitting. We will do it no justice by giving you a track by track description. There are so many creative surprises throughout the thirty seven minute journey such as meandering saxophone, afrocentric percussion and vibrant spacial tones. Not one track disappoints nor does one track elevate above the other. Instead what you experience is one steady journey through haze and hallucination. Bottom-line is that these guys are authentic and have a tremendous future ahead. While they are currently flying way under the radar, they should get some nice exposure as they embark in September on their 2015 Night Creeper tour with Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats. We very much look forward to catching them in New York and Boston. Pick-up Sonic Praise when you get a chance as it will enhance your stoner and space rock music catalogue. Brew Pairing Grab some Glasshouse by UK based Deep Seeded Brewing. This 5.5% Fruited Kettled Sour provides an aroma of sour bramble and flavors of gooseberry. A sour beer enthusiast's delight and a nice pairing to chill with Sonic Praise. Follow Ecstatic Vision: Bandcamp / Facebook

Released: 2022 Genre: Doom, Post-Metal Sounds Like: Alcest, Gojira, Mastodon Homeland: England, UK Album Overview Impressive debut for the British trio Wild and innovative vocal contrast Dark groans and angelic vocals collide for a unique 30 minute journey The unique harmonies will make a lasting imprint on your senses. Tons of different angles and movements to absorb over time, started to hit our stride on fourth rotation Track Listing: 1- Abyssal Star (7:20) Standout Track 2- Charnel Plains/Whore Abyss (12:28) 3- Celestial Emissary (7:20) 4-The Pillar of Salt (3:53) Brew Pairing The Neon Raptor Brewing Co. out of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England has some very special brews one in particular that pairs so well with the Salt Pale Collective. Take a gander at their 14% ABV imperial stout blend called Centaur Army.Centaur Army is a big, bold, intensely flavorful Imperial Stout. It is a Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Caramel Imperial Stout and packs bodacious punch. The Salt Pale Collective are: Dave Mac Dan Hodges Alex Adamson Follow Demonauta: Bandcamp / Facebook

Released: 2022 Genre: Rock, Psychedelic Sounds Like: King Buffalo, The Black Angels, All Them Witches Homeland: Athens, Greece Album Overview Hiking Lung is an amazing journey through seven trails that encompass wild terrain and distinct vision Psychedelic brilliance that is sure to be a main stay in your rotation. Take it with you as you build memories The sophomore release from the Greece natives delivers one hell of an uptick in trippy fortitude Nabla cleanses the palate with heartwarming clarinet taking a bold turn that tgat only accentuates this wild journey Melding vocals that saturate deeply into the confines of thinly layered fuzz Hazy build-ups that generate clarity as you wade through the fuzz Absorbing and creative psychedelia with Powerful cord movements throughout The stand out track ‘forest’ is an adrenaline filled fretwork masterpiece Track Listing: 1. Abstract (1:21) 2. Halal (4:02) 3. Forest (8:42) Standout Track 4. Opaque (6:13) 5. Nabla (4:29) 6. Snatching (1:50) 7. Yearning (5:42) Brew Pairing Hiking Lung goes perfect with an ice cold glass of Firestone Walker Mind HazeIPA at 6.2% ABV. From the coast of California comes Mind Haze, a free spirited beer made to elevate your perceptions—juicy, fresh and loaded with an imaginative array of tropical hop flavors. Psycada are: Sokratis A (vocals/guitar/synth) Pablo’s P (guitar) Loukas P (bass) Dimitris A (drums) Follow Psycada: Bandcamp / Facebook

Released: 2022 Genre: Hard rock, Psychedelic rock Sounds Like: Villagers of Ioannina City, The Stone Roses Homeland: Athens, Greece Album Overview The Greece based psychedelic foursome unveil their second release in Mild Conquest The follow-up to their amazing debut, Wild Ferment, is a difficult act to follow These 9 tracks absolutely deliver on a variety of fronts pulling in elements that made the debut so great Mild Conquest hits more exploratory sounds and changes in tempo and branches giving Gustav's visionary drum work even more room to breathe Panos is a vocal phenom delivering heartwarming angles that will drive your mood. It's a clean and distinct vocal tone with a militant serious edge to it Very impactful storytelling through thoughtful lyrics and wild charismatic echoes The Steams paint very layered and etherial landscapes. Lofty melodies with powerful chords that will penetrate deeper into your memory banks each listen The soft moments are very impactful, just listen to "Algerian Eyes." Between his vocals, peaceful guitars and minimal drums, the track typifies what makes the Steams so absorbing Track Listing: 1. Entrance 4:15 2. Lament (prologued by George Mazonakis) 4:18 3. Ladies in the North 4:55 4. The Union 4:09 5. Algerian Eyes 4:17 6. The Horror 5:53 7. Binding Circles 3:26 8. Little Empire 3:41 9. The Crown 7:20 Standout Tracks Entrance You have to give it up to the opening track. This tune is just is so addicting; you are immersed immediately into the staccato tight and distant vocals. Swirling fretwork throughout make for a wild aptly named opener. The Horror This track feels like a ritualistic battle cry. Wild texture and meandering. Bursting with flavor and wonderful contrast. Brew Pairing Spotted Puffer IPA from Pipeworks Brewing in Illinois. This 9.5% New England IPA is brewed with tart and tropical passion fruit puree, balanced with wild flower honey, and packed with aroma from late addition Citra hops. It's a tasty and smooth beer. A great pairing with Mild Conquest. The Steams are: Panos Dimitropoulos - Vocals, Guitars Andreas Kokovikas - Guitars Alex Bolpasis - Bass, Percussion Gustav Penka - Drums Additional Musicians: Vasilis Tafas - Cencer (Algerian Eyes) Giorgos Stogiorgis - Qanun (Entrance) Nikos Tsantanis - Lute (Entrance, The Union, The Horror!), Tsampouna (Entrance, Lament, The Union) Follow The Steams: Bandcamp / Facebook

Released: 2022 Genre: Psychedelic, Swamp rock, Shoegaze Sounds Like: Cactus Black, Deadboy & the Elephantmen, Ancient Sky Homeland: North Carolina Album Overview Veteran southern psychedelic foursome welcome in their sixth release Murky and solemn atmospheric landscapes that intensify with each listen Impactful storytelling through a thick bluesy lens The North Carolina foursome further intensify their dimly lit visions in addictive fashion "Carolina Moon" shows the bands dramatic range and blending of beauty and dark "Concrete Covers Dead Lovers" is chockfull of darkly layered brilliance Justin Storms overcast vocals are absolutely infectious 40 minutes that intensifies with each listen. Each track progressively dives deeper into murky waters If The Silver Snake Unfolds is your first foray into the Wailin Storms you must visit their library. Rattle is not far behind their latest triumph. Track Listing: 1. In the Heart of the Sea (6:28) 2. Broken Into Three (4:22) 3. Sunday Morning Ceremony (4:50) 4. Drag (5:31) 5. Who Took Our Drugs (3:24) 6. The Silver Snake Unfolds and Swallows the Black Night Whole (3:35) 7. Concrete Covers Dead Lovers (6:40) Standout Track 8. Carolina Moon (7:24) Standout Track Brew Pairing North Carolina’s own, Heist Brewery delivers ‘Blurred Is the Word’ at 6.8% ABV. This beer blends well with any Wailin Storms release whereby dank and dry tones are brilliantly layered an American IPA brewed and dry-hopped with Mosaic and Azacca. A berry-like tropical dankness. Wailin Storms are: Guitar, vocals: Justin Storms Drums: Mark Oates Bass: Steve Stanczyk Lead Guitar: Todd Warner Follow Wailin Storms: Bandcamp / Facebook

Released: 2015 Genre: Progressive, Post punk Sounds Like: At The Drive In, Wildlights Strong fucking debut from the Cleveland, Ohio threesome. Bloodlines flows without any clots as the band’s chemistry and intelligent song structure dominate after the first rotation. Successive rotations further engulfed us into a aggressive landscape highlighting the trio’s penchant for contrast of the heavy with majestic high arching melodies. We do hear quite a bit of post-punk/hardcore influences from Mars Volta to At The Drive In along with splashes of progressive rock fretwork visions. Ultimately this is a very tight and diverse album for just 30 minutes of airplay. Track Listing: 1. … (2:40) 2. Reboot (3:46) 3. S.O.S (5:26) 4. Into the Unknown (4:21) 5. Mindfuct (4:16) 6. Algorithm (4:34) 7. Path of Tonality (5:35) Standout Track: The closer, "Path of Tonality" absolutely floored us at the onset. The unique fretwork and all encompassing rhythms are blissfully intertwined. This track reminds us of the majestic ways of Wildlights and ASG, where the listener is transformed and the melodies burst with each additional listen. Check-out the brilliant high pitched guitar pinpoint precision on this one. This track will bleed from your woofers its so standout. Adult Beverage Pairing: Bloodlines goes superbly with Noble Beast Brewing Company’s ‘Muder Ballads’ 8% ABV from Cleveland Ohio delivers aromas of roasted malts, milk chocolate, hints of plum and cherry and a bit of earthy hops. Has a slightly crisp, smooth and slightly frothy, medium bodied mouthfeel with moderate carbonation. The finish is clean, and it has a fairly dry and roasty aftertaste. A perfect pairing with the heavy tones of City of the Dead. RECAP: Captivation and Variety 9.2 out of 11 Vocal Performance 8.9 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 9.2 out of 11 Hallucinogenic levels 8.8 out of 11 Fretwork Prowess 9.6 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 9.3 out of 11 Contrast 9.1 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 8.9 out of 11 Production Value 9.1 out of 11 Band Members: Elliot Barry -Guitar/Vocals Chad Martin -Bass/Moog/Vocals Daniel Garrity-Drums Final Thoughts: We like the fact that we have difficulty pinning down the genre that fits City of the Dead. This is a sign that the band is original and pulls in multiple influences to form their own heavy sound. This album will paint a consistent mood for the listener and their chemistry bleeds into a unique sound and vibe. Grab this one immediately off BandCamp. It is currently a ‘Name Your Price’ and well worth throwing some hard earned money their way. Follow City of the Dead: Bandcamp / Facebook

Released: 2020 Genre: Metal Sounds Like: The Sword, Droids Attack, Khemmis In our world of deep sonic exploration we will occasionally hit some bizarre conundrums. Perhaps our biggest head scratcher is that of the Australian trio Witchskull. To put it bluntly, the question at hand is ... how the fuck are these guys not HUGE yet? How is it possible to put out music this exceptional and continue to fly under the radar? Witchskull's vision and the tracks they lay down should absolutely catch like wildfire. This is not a situation where multiple rotations are required to absorb the vibe or angles intended. No this is straight-shooting fucking sonic brilliance. In 2018 Witchskull had released one of the best metal records to come across our rotation in quite some time. Coven’s Will easily became our number one album of the year registering a massive 10.5 out of 11 score. We backtracked from this, immersing ourselves into their  impressively raw and cutting debut album The Vast Electric Dark also a cauldron of distinct and inspiring metal. Well the find just keeps on giving because A Driftwood Cross sets the bar even higher with 37 minutes of jaw-dropping adrenaline that is drenched in melodies of the soul. Lead vocalist and guitarist Marcus DePasquale continues his vocal gymnastics with pinpoint despair. Stop with the Ozzy/Sabbath comparisons. Listen to the unique vocal tones that Marcus brings, its on another planet. We’re still not sure how he focuses on the riffs while belting out such furious and absorbing lyrics. The bass work of Tony McMahon and drumming of Joel Green blend beautifully just the right intensity. A Driftwood Cross takes even bolder tangents on than the first two albums. The eight tracks dive into wild contrast making the escalations on each track even more majestic. While power and energy are signature to the Witchskull sound, this new endeavor infuses more patience showing how versatile the trio can be. Ultimately it is the beauty in the melodies that make this album so exceptional. The hooks on A Driftwood Cross never get old and the heavy dynamic layers only accentuate each listen. Tracklist: 1. Black Cathedrals 04:56 2. Baphomet's Child 03:07 3. This Silent Place 03:40 4. The Red Altar 05:47 5. Dresden 05:35 6. March of Winter 04:08 7. Nero Order 05:21 8. A Driftwood Cross 05:55 Standout Track(s): "The Red Altar" has absolutely everything we want in a song. Gut-wrenching sadness that blossoms into majestic triumph. This track has some of the most impressive contrast and clearly achieve's the pinnacle of a very high plateau. Not far behind is “Dresden” with its infectious vintage NWOBHM horse-trot rhythmic fuzz, making it almost impossible not to prance wildly about your surroundings. Adult Beverage Pairing: No question we have to go with one of the top 3 brewers of all time to blend perfectly with Driftwood Cross. Sixpoint Brewery from Brooklyn, NY is a sensational beer haven. Their slim design and hoppy masterpieces are a true blessing. We recommend immensely their limited edition 'Puff Puff'. At 9.8% ABV this fucker hits home so smooth. If you are a fan of Resin and thought it could not get better, behold the brilliance of Puff Puff in its most raw form: pulled straight from the tanks, still densely packed with pure hop particulate for extra potency. This cloudy formulation is stratospheric.Breathe deep for that second hit! ROTATION RECAP: Vocal Command 10.9 out of 11 Risk of Subwoofer Damage 10.5 out of 11 Captivation and Variety 10.7 out of 11 Weight of the Heavy 10.3 out of 11 Lyrics and Song Structure 10.6 out of 11 Overall Album Flow 10.8 out of 11 Album Cover Aesthetics 9.7 out of 11 Production Value 10.8 out of 11 Final Thoughts: Much like that steady rising stock that continues to hit 52 week highs on the market, perhaps A Driftwood Cross will indeed catch like wildfire through word of mouth stock tips. While it should be the Amazon of blue chips, we are perfectly content solidifying our portfolio with this steady rising still hidden gem. Witchskull's third release is on another planet from a perspective of in-your face intensity. This album hits heights that we rarely see and beyond this notion, we appreciate their ability to branch out a bit more on this third release. Such a bright future lies ahead for this crew. Line-up: Marcus DePasquale - Vocals and Fretwork Tony McMahon - Bass Joel Green - Drums Follow Witchskull: Rise Above Records / Facebook

Released: 2016 Genre: Psychedelic, Stoner Rock Sounds Like: Bloodiest, Last Crack, Ink and Dagger Strippers In Love have absolutely floored us sonically. We must harken back to former true 'under the radar'  innovators like Last Crack, Barkmarket, or Mindfunk to recall such impactful revolutionary sound. Interestingly enough, we stumbled upon these musical wizards as they have just released their first album entitled I Am What I'm Becoming. The foursome have also just recently dipped their toes into the social media waters. Well, we would like to bolster their PR campaign and let you know that this album needs to be in your collection. It has been quite some time since our listening tentacles have been this absorbed. We feel the power of their innovation with every additional listen. So much so, that its position in our heavy rotation is impacting our review production. We have found it very difficult to take this one out of constant rotation as it is frankly... addictive. To boot, the album is available on BandCamp as a 'Name Your Price' item. You may find yourself overwhelmed with guilt by low balling such brilliance. Strippers In Love wrap complexity, precision, and majestic melodic genius into a very dark place filled with brilliant echo, jaw-dropping rhythms, and engrossing mayhem. Of course our review will not do justice to such a masterpiece. As a result we attempt our best one line stream of conscience garble below. Tracklist: 1. Tomahawk 07:31 2. Nightblooming 07:16 3. Beyond the Shadows of Doubt 07:53 4. Skinwalker 06:03 5. Wandering Albatross 06:22 6. Waves of Silver 05:53 7. Mandragora 08:30 8. Now That It's Tomorrow, Today Is Another Day 12:41 What are the highlights of I Am What I’m Becoming? It seems we have backed ourselves into a corner with this question. This one joins only a select few albums in our library where the highlights are just too robust and lengthy to pay the correct homage. We want to draw out some of the unique moments, so let’s begin with stellar opening track “Tomahawk”. Upon first listen, we knew we had something special here as we were immediately drawn to the inspiring vocal chants of Daniel Jaime-Dwyer. Midway through the second masterful cut “Nightblooming,” we are treated to some dark harmonica work nestled in with ominous feedback, very original. The vocal range on “Beyond The Shadow Of A Doubt” is downright superb, plus it’s raw and rhythmic. The breakdown at the 2:00 mark on “Skinwalkers” is absolutely mind-numbing. The guitar has a lonely, yet cryptic Post-rock feel. “Waves Of Silver” continues to impress as the aquatic vocal work and echo maintains the myriad of sonic beauty and intensity. The song structure dances beautifully between heavy psyche and Post-rock. “Mandragona” features ominous lyrics and background voices, giving the listener another element to focus on. The epic 12:41 minute “Now That It's Tomorrow, Today Is Another Day” embodies everything the band is about: exploration on uncharted territories. The song features inspiring, arm raised to the sky vocals, dense heaviness and uplifting psychedelia. The track also subtly ties back-in the chorus echoed in the opener bringing us full-circle. How is the production value? The production value is exceptional for an independent release. Kudos to the production work by singer/guitarist Daniel Jaime-Dwyer. The layering between all the instruments, vocals and little nuances scattered is second to none. The innovative song structures are enhanced by the clarity and volume contrasts which help underscore the band's passion. Does the album art reflect the music? Absolutely, the ominous photo of two nude people in a forest lets the imagination run wild. The purple hue on the photo brings a sense of intrigue to the art itself. What adult beverage to enjoy while listening to this album? Undead Party Crasher by Clown Shoes Brewery. This 10.00% (ABV) Imperial Stout’s formula fits so well with Strippers in Love. Powerful aroma and complex notes of roasted malts, smoke, vanilla, whiskey, coffee, and cocoa. Full bodied and absolutely a one of a kind original. What are our final thoughts of I Am What I’m Becoming? With their roots tied to the UK and the Balearic Islands of Spain, Strippers In Love do not bind themselves to one particular genre, in fact they have opened the door to something exceptionally distinct and innovative. Yes, it contains elements of heavy psyche rock, Post-rock and stoner, but they have found a way to harness these styles and create something at a whole new level. We get excited about albums that transform us into a different mood. Ultimately this album transcends boundaries and transforms your listening pleasure into a completely unique state of mind.  We know this sounds very lofty, but trust us, give this one a few rotations and you will be hooked. - 8/8/2016 Band Members: Guitar/Vocals/FX - Daniel Jaime-Dwyer Bass - Jeroni Puigros Brunet Drums - Oriol Santamaría Jareño Follow Strippers In Love: Facebook / Bandcamp

Released: 2022 Genre: Psychedelic rock, Space rock Sounds Like: Slift, Farflung, Earthless Homeland: Sweden Album Overview The latest release by the Sweden-based trio is a sonic psychedelic masterpiece. Five glorious tunes of space jamming with complimentary soft vocals by guitarist/composer Charlotta Andersson. MUSIC: Exploration is a melting pot of psychedelic rock and space rock with elements of stoner. The jamming is so invigorating and clear. The guitars soar with a soothing heaviness while the bass is grounding and the drums emanate a powerful backdrop. Together making for one on this years most stunning releases. VOCALS: The vocals of Charlotta Andersson have this trippy Mazzy Star feel. Her tone blends in beautifully within the music. ALBUM ART: The euphoric color explosion designed by Robin Gnista grabs a hold of you, waiting to be discovered. A great cover to this psychedelic masterpiece. Track Listing: 1. Daydreams 11:07 2. To Space and Away 8:05 3. Going to the Horizon 5:26 4. In a Rainbow with Friends 10:41 5. Through Space and Time 10:33 Standout Track(s) To Space and Away Lets be clear there are no bad tracks on this album. We seem to gravitate towards this tune for some reason. The jamming is stellar with euphoric guitar work and rhythmic percussion. The infectous vocals are icing on the cake as they are take the song to another level. Brew Pairing We are going with Cosmic Disorder by Sand City Brewing based out of Long Island, NY. This 8.5% IPA hits with crisp and fruity flavors, but not sweet. A classic pairing to go along while kicking back and listening to Exploration. CB3 are: Charlotta Andersson, Electric guitar, vocals, composition Pelle Lindsjö, Electric Bass Natanael Solmonsson, Drums Follow CB3: Bandcamp / Facebook

Released: 2022 Genre: Math rock, Hardcore, Noise Sounds Like: The Jesus Lizard, Bitter Branches, Mammock Homeland: Oklahoma Album Overview God’s Country is an unfettered glimpse into the mind of a brilliant madman A stream of consciousness dark confessional that feels like a banned snuff film from the early 80s A raw onslaught, of visionary, math rock and hardcore The new generation Jesus lizard The band’s fourth release is their most diverse and impactful to date The album is chock full of unforgettable lines from “I think about killing you every day” to “Everywhere in the walls new roach babies hatch” and “think there was brain on my shoes” A whirlwind of experimental sound yet tight melodies that grow with each listen Standout Track(s) Anywhere An absolute masterpiece. The track takes a deep dive into the schizophrenic consciousness of an inner mental conflict that feels so cathartic and productive. You feel the struggle work it’s way out with the anguishing release of “stop it”. Fantastic contrast on this track. Track Listing: 1. Slaughterhouse 4:12 2. Why 3:31 3. Pamela 4:57 4. Wicked Puppet Dance 3:07 5. Anywhere 5:47 6. Tropical Beaches, Inc. 3:46 7. The Mask 2:57 8. I Don't Care If I Burn 2:54 9. grimace_smoking_weed.jpeg 9:05 Brew Pairing A hidden gem tucked away in Easton Massachusetts is Shovel Town Brewery. Their signature IPA Flyaway at 7.2% ABV is the perfect blend to assuage the chaos of God’s Country. Brewed with only Citra hops - in which orange, grapefruit and peach flavors take off. Flyaway is light on the palette, with a clean citrus finish.. Chat Pile are: Raygun Busch - Singer Luther Manhole - Guitar Stin - Bass Captain Ron - Drums Follow Chat Pile: Bandcamp / Facebook

Released: 1996 Genre: Hardcore, Stoner rock Sounds Like: Crowbar, Down, Pantera “Kitchen knifes conspire razor blades make bloodless love”. Released in 1996, hail one of the most elaborate, apocalyptic tempo-changing, and dark albums you will ever hear. No matter how many listens, you will still pick-up  new images within the lyrics that paint some eerie and dynamic images. “She bleeds orgasm in Technicolor“  This is lyrically one of the best albums of our time. Not a ridiculous statement... just give it a few listens.  Its not just stream of consciousness babble, but rather a brilliantly put together lyrical masterpiece. Lead singer Dax Riggs is the master of transferring from a soft whisper to blues echo to death metal gut-wrenching vocals. Tremendous production that include crystal clear drum work and superb bass (the bassist’s untimely death resulted in Acid Bath dis-banning  a year later. Last track "Dead Girl" leads into a bizarre hidden track... that will scare the living shi! out of you if you are in a dark basement alone. “I thought I heard them whisper mutany” Standout Tracks: Bleed Me An Ocean, Venus Blue

Released: 2022 Genre: Sludge Sounds Like: Yob, Cavity, Mastodon Homeland: UK Album Overview Matriarch contains seven heavy as fuck raw sludgy tracks. It's impressive for a duo to deliver such a thick post-sludge sound. We love beginning the album with the 11 minute plus doom track to lure you in. The album does however change course at times with the instrumental "The Trees, The Trees, The Trees." This track has an uplifting Post-rock feel and contrasts very well to the sludge angst. Many bands today within this genre can often sound too similar to one another, yet Tuskar has this originality that grabs a hold of us and is now a mainstay on our rotation. The Music Extremely heavy and thick sludge. Think old Mastodon meets Cavity and old Baroness. It's filthy, yet beautifully heavy. The Vocals Typical sludge, anger driven vocal. They do however have their own vibe, which helps separate from the onslaught of new and upcoming bands within this genre. Standout Track(s) To the Sky or Into the Sea We can't make up our minds, these two tacks are brilliant sludge tunes. Both of these earth-themed songs have tremendous contrast with enormous peaks and valleys. Track Listing: 1. Matriarch 2. To the Sky 3. The Trees, The Trees, The Trees 4. Halcyon Gilt 5. Into the Sea 6. Shame 7. Grave Brew Pairing We must go with Call Me Chris stout by Bonesaw Brewing in New Jersey. This 13.5% stout is a thick and rich than aged-brewed in Tennessee Whiskey and Rye barrels. A nice pairing with Matriarch. . Tuskar are: Tom Dimmock (guitar) Tyler Hodges (vocals, drums) Follow Tuskar: Bandcamp / Facebook