Nuclear Dog's Atomic Split: Luder - "Adelphophagia" / Elvis Deluxe - "The Story So Far"

I know it's been awhile. You know, life. Part and parcel of the responsibilities of life require paying the pimp for services rendered, and decades of rendering those services yield physical breakdowns of the sort to stymie your abilities. Regardless, the responsibilities remain, leaving little time for soul replenishment via cherished activities, such as writing about the wonderful, awe inspiring world of stoner metal. But, enough small blocks of time banded together today yield just enough opportunity to introduce to you two fine new albums of stoner bliss.
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LUDER - "ADELPHOPHAGIA"

What happens when the intense full throttle sound of  Five Horse Johnson's lead guitarist, who loves blues and classic rock, Novadriver's heavy hitting drummer, who loves hard and heavy rock, Small Stone Record's head honcho, who loves the classic sounds of The Who and The Cult, and Slot's dulcet toned vocalist, who loves the mellow sounds of indie rock get together to form a band? The short answer is Luder. Go a bit deeper and the response is an intriguing, unique, deep, soulful blend of styles that yields a sound that surprisingly satisfies a craving you might not have known you had.

One of my all time favorite things is the sound of that wonderful, soul stirring, stoner guitar riff, the kind employed on many great albums by some of the genre's best known and most accomplished artists such as Truckfighters, Dozer, Summoner, Steak, and Kyuss, just to name about half a percent. It is an incredible, vibrant guitar riff and plays well in every setting in which I've ever heard it. I've often wondered how applying that riff style to mellower rock or songs that are perhaps more poppish in nature might improve their sound. With Luder and their latest release "Adelphophagia" my curiosity has been assuaged, and then some. Does it work? HELL, YEAH!!! it works. "Adelphophagia"'s songs are exciting and invigorating, due both to the unique blend of sound and style as well as to the musical talents on full display in each of the piece parts of the band's members.

Luder have been making music for quite a while, hearkening back to 2006 as a culmination of efforts to honor the band Slot, who had lost their guitarist and main creative force, Billy Rivkin, just a few years earlier. Small Stone Records first released Slot's music in 2006. That release stirred 2 of Slot's remaining members, vocalist and bassist Sue Lott and drummer Eddie Alterman, and  Five Horse Johnson's guitarist Phil Dürr as well as Small Stone Record's Scott Hamilton, also on guitar, to play Slot's music at SXSW in the spring of 2007. Afterward, the feeling they could, and should, create a fresh style of rock music led to the official formation of Luder and a changing of the guard at drums in which Eddie was replaced by Novadriver's Eric Miller. Soon 2009's "Sonoluminescence" was released, and now "Adelphophagia".

Dürr's guitar charges out of the gate straight away on the opener "Never Liked You" in a prelude of the sonic bursts he has peppered throughout the song. In much the same way Lott flexes big bass muscle in antipodal display to her soothing and confident vocals. The drumwork rides a wave of clearly defined execution, never simply underpinning the more obvious guitarwork. Listening to the varied and brilliant pieces on display here gives you an immediate sense of just how incredibly gifted these musicians are.

In second position is "Astrolabe", a song of psychedelic tendencies, richly layered with compelling and dexterous instrumentation. And again, despite the high powered lead guitar riff hammer of Phil Dürr, the biggest guns might just be from the same person who lays out the sweet sounding vocals as she practically lays waste with her booming, athletic bass licks.

Sublime stoner fuzz accentuated with enveloping avalanche blitzes propel "One Eye" on an engrossing journey, followed by "Heartfelt" with its almost strident riffage encompassed in rich, deep, blended psychedelic tones.

"Ask the Sky" gives Lott a chance to shine even more than usual with her rich, measured vocals, turning on a sublime and haunting charm that stands out as the focal point for the accompanying melody, while the haunting quality of "You Try It" shifts slightly to the dueling guitars of Dürr and Hamilton.

The melody and music of "Dirge" is a tight and powerfully executed anthem of haunting beauty.

A change of pace awaits on "I'm Afraid of Americans", a funky and fun exhibition that throws some unusual sounds into the mix while making it all work effortlessly and seamlessly.

The closer is the slow burning "Remember What I Said". Whether or not you remember what I said today or not doesn't matter so much as remembering the sustained immersion and profound experience of this unique and wonderful album.







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ELVIS DELUXE - "THE STORY SO FAR"

This band from Warsaw, Poland should be considered grizzled veterans of the stoner rock scene having lasted this long from inception in 2003. They seem to be gaining steam as they course along the fuzzy paths of underground metal both in album frequency and musical quality. Forming in 2003 they didn't release their first album, "Lazy", until 2007, followed up after another 4 year elapse with the highly acclaimed "Favourite State of Mind" in 2011. But only 2 years have transpired since and now comes "The Story So Far" ( a promising title of more to come, perhaps ).

Elvis Deluxe have always displayed a knack for the hook and melody of Kyuss-like stoner rock with a garage rock strain, but with this latest release there is a depth and dexterity not always matched on the earlier albums. Having said that, 3 of the songs on this album are from the very early days and feature the original guitarist, Mechu, who had left Elvis Deluxe soon after the release of  "Favourite State of Mind". The band did not lose any of its new found momentum, however, and have added a new guitarist who plays on the newest tracks of "The Story So Far".

Current band members include:

Bert Trust - Guitar
Bolek - Guitar
Miko - Drums
Ziemba - Bass / Vocals

"The Story So Far" wastes no time establishing itself as a contender. Out of the gate we are treated to "Yourgodfreed", an eight minute immersion into a measured hypnotic atmosphere that permeates and elevates as it carries you along in its fuzzy hooks and psychedelic connotations.

The style changes up significantly on "No Reason" and "Dark Lovers" in which recognizable stoner riffs are executed in an almost atypical and intriguing manner, while playing enjoyable hooks of pop sensibilities, yet never abandoning the booming riffs and low tuned megablasts of hallmark stoner rock.

"Face It" demonstrates that rare accomplishment of blending bigger than life stoner fuzz riffs with beautiful melody and a memorable hook, punctuated by a closing salvo of naval proportions.

"Something to Hide", "Out of Life", and "The Hope" are all massive onslaughts of measured sound, blasting loud and deep while under strict control.

Elvis Deluxe closes out with a cover of the Stooges' "Search and Destroy", doing more than a credible impression of the classic song by throwing in signature stoner riffs throughout, giving it an incredible and enjoyable sound.

"The Story So Far" immediately goes on the 'Best of Lists' for many stoner rock lovers, myself included. While it faces stiff competition in the coming months from stoner rock royalty and some very heavily anticipated albums, this signature album from Poland's premier metal band is exceptional whether on its own or in the company of other albums of similar stature, so when the curtains close and the dust settles on 2013 there will definitely be a light shining squarely on the brilliance of "The Story So Far".









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SpaceGod's Top 10 - The Master Stash

2012, a year of confusion, illusion, and damnation. Our favorite crop saw legalization in 2 states in America, and it seems artists must have taken notice. There has been a surge of bands getting down to the inexplicable doom boogie, the vicious, visceral plod of thunderous music which can light a human up before digging his or her grave. It's spread is even pertinent enough for Pentagram to be played at New Years Eve Parties (yes you heard me, my party van driver on NYE was blasting Mr. Liebling.) As long as we stay away from persistently ripping off The Sword in 2013, the torch, or rather, the gargantuan L will be passed on to another year of ultimate riffdom!

10. The Sword- Apocryphon

Another intriguing entry from The Sword. It continues on the path taken by Warp Riders with sections evoking 70s rock. The Sword haven't deviated from their formula, as why this record didn't get further on this list, however, it retained a supreme sense of musicality and technicality. You can hear the fact that they have all gotten better as musicians, and they do not disappoint. Delivering great syncopated viciousness and upbeat rock, an album definitely worth one's time.

9. It's Not night it's space - Bowing but not Knowing to What

The first full-length from Hudson Valley - stalwarts It's not night : It's Space. A combination of eerie psychedelia and monolithic-sabbathian stomp, INNIS built a beast from just their fans. A kickstarter construct- and a personal favorite- these guys kicked everyone's ass with something homegrown but unique in its exploration of intrepid spiritual (or psuedo-spiritual) heaviness. The opening track, The Gathering,  is a testament to all that is right with dark psychedelia!

 8. Five Horse Johnson - Taking of the Black heart

5HJ killed us with Taking of the Black Heart. A truly awesome release, they played some straight up gritty, swampy, downright bluesy riffs. The key to all of this music inherently lies in the blues, it's great to see a band stick to those roots and lay down some curvy woman-thick blues.

7. In the Company of Serpents - S/T

A demonic duo, In the Company of Serpents hit hard with their self-titled, some indigenous and vicious sludge. The best part is how precise these guy sound, they are tight musically, hence why their duo format works the way it does. A dose of powerful, low-end filled sludge that towers above a lot of the other Kylesa ripoffs these days.

6. High on Fire - De Vermis Mysteriis 

High on Fire never seem to disappoint us with their battle axe-sharp riffs. Matt Pike takes us back with this record, one more reminiscent of Blessed Black wings. Bludgeoning sludge with relentless force, this was a terrifying album. My all time favorite track is of course King of Days, the heaviest freaking tone of the year quite possibly. 

5. Neurosis - Honor Found in Decay

The Godfathers of Post-metal, Neurosis struck hard with Honor Found in Decay. Full of enveloping textures and whirring, grind that could incur heart palpitations, this was a definite favorite. This record evoked tones previously heard on their seminal Through Silver in Blood.  We Rage in Gold! The group never fails to produce terrifyingly heavy truths and vicious riffs with their music. Thought-provoking, and disintegratingly brutal.

4. Radar Men from the Moon - Echo Forever

A well-produced, swirling, grooving, pulsing foray into european psych. Reminiscent of both Spacemen 3, and Hawkwind, this one does not fall into the cliches of repetitive bVII-I grooves that many other bands do. A swirling long-form exploration of the self, complete with ominous delayed guitar and disgustingly awesome high-hat work. The best part is they are MASTERS of contrast, their creation of different feels enables them to soar above the pack. Go listen to "Dance of Black and White Paint." 'Nuff said.

3. Colour Haze - She Said

The cream of the crop of the psychedelic rock. Prog, Doom, Stoner, and psych all meet and coalesce beautifully on this record. The tones are organic, full, and impressive, their command of long-form is breathtaking. Both technically blissful as well as emotionally and musically intense, this record is a beautiful example of all the right things with psych, namely the fact that they do not stick to the tried and true formula of simple echos and repetitive riffs, their music evokes the past as well as pushing towards the future. A great rock album. Period. "Breath" 

2.  Pallbearer- Sorrow and Extinction

This record caught me by surprise. A record with great melodic content, informed content. A truly epic and emotionally moving record, this band took time to crafted a mountain trail, rather than just staying on the rails. A great debut record and a phenomenal display of both musicianship and a new take on older sounds. A demonic combination of old-school doom, and modern post-metal. 

1.Om - Advaitic Songs 

Al Cisneros knows how to make droning, middle-eastern music burn through gargantuan amplifiers. Om's first record as more than a duo, the subtle and calm guitar tones melded with the visceral and vicious bass-tones, the utter mastery of relentless ancient sounding music. Only a record like this could make a Cello haunt my dreams. With an unabashed fear of evoking North Indian viciousness and creating visceral meditative music that blinds your senses, Om created a towering record that makes drone doom-bands wish they knew what they were doing. Without fear of experimentation and with beautiful instrumentation, Om built my favorite record of 2012, because they did something that still relegated itself to the doom realm, but in many ways reaches far across the aisle to the universe of World Music. A brilliant and moving record.

Nuclear Dog's Atomic Split: Five Horse Johnson - "The Taking of Black Heart" / Junkyard Birds - "Free Wheeling Free Will"

There has certainly of late been an abundance of just incredible, mouth watering, soul satisfying music to listen to for the site seers who visit Heavy Planet Dot Net. Today's review fission ranks near the top of the list of great and tasty albums that are available for the world to enjoy, and enjoy them you shall I have absolutely no doubt. The sounds today are disparate, which tends to add to the flavor and enjoyment of the experience of discovery. One band uses more than the standard guitars and trap set, branching out to more traditional, southern instrumentation, but never, ever foregoing the essence of what great and heavy music is about, all the while executing against clever and juicy lyrics. The other band exemplifies a brilliant blend of sounds that are both young to the rock world and as old as the mid twentieth century, sounds that call upon punk, indie, grunge, or any of the music that came about when rock was being strangled by those that would pretend to be artists, and merging it with the best of the original, pure sounds of rock.

FIVE HORSE JOHNSON - "The Taking of Black Heart"

Wow, Five Horse Johnson have been together since 1995, demonstrating stability in a universe that has very little. Despite that incredible feat it has been since 2006 since the release of  their last album "The Mystery Spot", which was hailed by most as Five Horse Johnson's best of a prolific collection of five great albums. Like most stoner band members where time away from any band is filled by playing for others, Five Horse Johnson is no exception with band members staying busy playing for Luder and Necros, among others. The stoner community appears to be tight knit, something that perhaps is a positive that might not be there if this music was in heavy rotation on the so called rock stations across the country. Whatever the case may be the time between "The Mystery Spot" and the impending release of "The Taking of Black Heart" has been used wisely by this group of super bluesmen because this album kicks major ass. Yes, it's as cliche as cliche can be. "This album kicks ass, Man!", but cliches are around for a reason and the reason for this particular one is so it can be used appropriately for Five Horse Johnson's January, 2013 release of "The Taking of Black Heart", their most ambitious and righteous release yet, and once again part of the awe inspiring rock label Small Stone Records. It is a powder keg collection of high energy, elitely executed blues rock standards that fit perfectly into the best sounds of the Seventies, but honestly, truly are more appropriately placed as a potential vehicle for the delivery of proper rock and roll back to the forefront of the industry. This music needs air time, it needs to be played as the intro to Monday Night Football, it needs to be on a dozen movie soundtracks, it is just as incredible and awesome a collection of rock songs as there can possibly be. There is plenty of blues infusion with standard harmonica rockin' hard right alongside incredible guitar that both burns hot and high on scorching, searing solos as well as provides beautiful, soul infused rhythm with down low fuzz and voracious bass totally devouring the atmosphere, all driven relentlessly forward by incredible jab, hook, uppercut drum combinations and topped off by vocals that could not fit any more perfectly with the skillfully written and adeptly delivered songs. 

Five Horse Johnson consist of:

Eric Oblander - vocals and harp

Brad Coffin - vocals and guitar

Steve Smith - Bass

Phil Dürr - Guitar

Additional Musicians for the album are:

Jean Paul Gaster - drums

J. Robbins - organ, percussion

Robin Zander - vocals on "You're My Girl (I Don't Want to Talk About It)"

Yes, Robin Zander of Cheap Trick fame makes an appearance on this album as the vocals for one song, the aforementioned "You're My Girl (I Don't Want to Talk About It)". The thing about this song is that it is not there to boost an album from a band that does not (yet) have the popularity of a Cheap Trick or any other aging but still well known Seventies icon. It is there, as far as this listener is concerned, because it fits with the rest of the incredible, high quality music on this album, and happens to be a riff filled blues rock romp that is served perfectly by Zander's experienced and still incredible vocals, just the same as Oblander's and Coffin's vocals on the other selections. 

Huge booming, and blackness piercing plasma beam riffs are prevalent throughout this album. Stoner rock is about nothing if not guitar riffs and no one brings a dumptruck load of them more expertly than the blues rock band from Toledo, Ohio, Five Horse Johnson. The opening track, "The Job" is simply awesome. Well written, well executed, overflowing with a barrage of sound that fills the listener with an overwhelming satisfaction and appreciation for the experience. Another song for the ages, one that very quickly made its way to my music player's list of all time stoner/fuzz favorites, is "Mexico", a perfect mixture of instrumentation and melodic structure that hits you squarely in the pleasure zones of your brain and heart, reaching peek interest somewhere far north of a hundred plays. Grab a song on "The Taking of Black Heart", any song, sit back and listen to its pieces as you thoroughly enjoy its whole, and you won't be disappointed no matter the selection. They're just too good. It's a thoroughly gifted and unique set of songs brought to you by a band that has used their seventeen years in the industry fine tuning their craft and their ability to a point where their 6th album is quite simply a treasure.

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JUNKYARD BIRDS - "Freewheeling Free Will"

Junkyard Birds have been together since 1996, bucking the odds in a universe where those odds are LONG, to say the least. This band brings with it that rare quality of experience and finely honed craft with the heart and energy of the young and hormonally charged. These guys hail from Toulouse, France by way of Frisco, California. The November 1st release of "Freewheeling Free Will" is their fourth album to date and represents a unique, varied, and exquisite foray into semi-madness, the type that brings a modicum of warmth and satisfaction because you ride so close to the edge of insanity, where the light fails and all energy bursts forth in no direction, but where the slick and feathered treads of your mind hold on long enough to return to pain and normalcy, bringing with it memory and satisfaction at having experienced the black heart music of this great album. The songs borrow judiciously from punk, grunge, indie, and any number of styles that deviate slightly and deliciously from normal song structure, all while somehow simultaneously adhering to typical song formation regardless. Melody is here in abundance, with standard chorus, refrain, solos, and bridges, making the songs memorable in ways the best songs do. The guitars are tuned low and reverberate with frenetic force throughout the album, sometimes challenging the low to see how deep it can truly go. The solos are timely and intelligent, combining with pure fury and joy and providing a primal arc of pure energy and sound. This collection of carefully calibrated chaos is memorable, and if not quite singular, at least unique enough to provide that pleasure of discovery, real or imagined. In the end, though, it's the delivery, the adept, athletic quality of the execution of instrumentation on top of artistic lyrical renderings that make this album noteworthy.

Band members for this fourth vinyl foray include:

Elie "Zakk" Crouzil Barthès - guitars, backing vocals
David "Blondie" Authiè - guitars, backing vocals
Dave "Kaptain Klaus" Persoglia - all drums
Mathieu "Le Grand Cornu" Bèzian - bass, vocals

"High Heels and Leather Boots" opens the album with a manic energy and primal rhythm that set the tone by offering a song that is adeptly constructed and expertly delivered while providing a large amount of uniqueness in song structure. Another up tempo track is "Death Valley Rider", which uses a heaping helping of fuzz and distortion on main refrain guitar. Next up is "You Don't Even Love Me", which mops the floor with black fuzzy acid, bringing a beautifully low stoner sound, deliberate in delivery, and lethal in acceptance. "Ego Killing" follows suit, digging trenches below the lowest of low notes, using the butt of the bass to make room at the bottom before unleashing snippets of crackling guitar solo energy.

These songs are wicked and certainly irreverent in lyrical design, but beautiful and exquisite in construction and delivery, bringing an incredibly high level of adroit quality and mind bending joy. This album provides both quality music that is enjoyable at any and all times, as well as an avenue seldom explored that meanders through darker passages of time and intent, keeping you on your toes and your senses on edge, flirting with the dark pleasures of music, but never leaving you stranded without a journey saving light to guide you back from the dismal abyss.

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Update From Small Stone Records

From Small Stone Records:

Yep, ever year we go through this, a week of 80 and 90 degree temps in Austin and then bam... right back to winter in the Motor City. One of these days we might finally get use to it. Anyway, we like to say a special thanks to the Room 710, Craig at SXSW, and all of our bands who traveled a long way and put on a great show. A good time was head by all. We got to see some old friends, and make some new ones. We would also like to say an extra thanks to Rick from Sasquatch for doing double drum duty fiiling in with Iota. Rick, you really saved the day on that one. Thanks!

The new Shame Club CD, Come On, just showed up via our lovely UPS carrier. All that really needs to be said about the Shame Club is this, the band rules, the CD rules, buy it now. You will be humming the album for years to come in your automobile. The Shame Club will also be embarking on an East Coast tour in a few weeks as well. You really do not want to miss them. If you need more proof, you can check out the Shame Club on our jukebox. Their song "Jonestown" was added to it earlier today.

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Iota’s new album, Tales, is days away from heading to the plant. The artwork is done, and we are just waiting for the final master from Mr. Gooseman. If you are a fan of the heavy and trippy, with some old school 70’s blues rock tossed in for good measure, then you are going to want to add Tales to your collection post haste.

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Five Horse Johnson is gearing up to record their sixth full length late this spring. The band has been busy working on new material, and their yet to be titled release will be the first one recorded as a five piece. We have had the privilege of hearing a few of the new tunes at their rehearsal and they are very much in the realm of Foghat, Mountain, and Led Zeppelin. The FHJ band are hoping to have there new one ready to go for the fall and a European Tour is currently being planned.

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Boston`s Hackman recently went down to NYC to record their second album with the legendary Andrew Schneider (Scissorfight, Throttlerod, Unsane). The band will be returned to the Big Apple on May 13 to play their first show there, at the Trash Bar.

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Finally, Please welcome Whitey Morgan and the 78’s to the Small Stone family. We were so tickled by their version of "Running with the Devil", that we went back and checked out their original material... and guess what, we got hooked. So, there is a first time for everything, Small Stone is entering the world of Outlaw Country and Whitey and his band will be hitting Rustbelt Studios next week to begin recording their new album. If you are a fan of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Steve Earle, then you are going to really dig these guys. If you only like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, you might want to skip this one.

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