Album Review: Cybernetic Witch Cult - Troglodithic Trip

English rockers Cybernetic Witch Cult appear to be cruising comfortably at high speed right now, not only releasing albums in short order, but releasing albums of immense quality and gusto. There is a lot to love on each release and "Troglodithic Trip" is no exception to the rule. In fact it epitomizes the rule.

Band members are:

..Alex - Cosmic Narration & Fuzz dispenser..
..Kale - Undercurrent, Visual Wizardry & Secondary Narration..
..Lewis - Groovaceous Battery..

Right out of the gate the album launches a broadside of hefty stoner fuzz guitar grinding out an almost plodding track of force and focus leading up to perfectly matched scratchbox vocals on "Sagittarius A*". The tempo kicks up a half notch on the following "Astrogalactic Sprites" as the power kicks up tenfold, surrounded in a cold, dark slurry of haunting atmospheric oppression. "Cult of the Druid" is a dark and deep odyssey that plugs into your primal core with melodic runs, searing riffs, and scorching solos of psychedelic marvel.

The journey to this point has been a soul buttressing delight. But it's not over. Not by a long shot.

"Forbidden Fruit" is forceful, memorable, enjoyable, and loud. It's a rapturous hookfest of haunting ferocity. Brutal and bold, "Human" manages to turn a space opera into a low-tuned stoner tour de force, thrilling at every turn, delighting in every expression of instrument and voice.

The album closes out with the best song of the collection, "Tyrannosaurus Hex". It's a mammoth blast of ecstasy and amplification, of indelible melody, of three metal musicians from the warrior isles masterfully wielding their weapons, wreaking unyielding gratification, sparing no acolyte of these dark, fuzzy arts.

"Black magic teleport me,
Into its territory,
Send me back to a distant time.
Cretaceous Tyrant Lizard King
Come forth and hear my summoning.
Tyrannosaurus Hex will save the Earth,
Will save the Earth."

I love it.

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Album Review - Beastwood: Alabama Space Witch

Remember that excellent night some six months back? ...  You don't?  Come on... It was the night after Heavy Planet introduced you to Wyoming's Beastwood and you woke up hung-over as sin, covered in that 'jag-offs' (ignorant prick in Pittsburgh-ese) blood.  Well, the hang-over isn't over sweetheart.  That's right. Beastwood is back with their customized NOLA sludge and southern rock sound just in time to bludgeon some innocent skulls.  The album's name is Alabama Space Witch, and although packing similar fire power to their previous release Sex Devil, Beastwood has found themselves growing and carrying the torch Southern metal-heads lit so many years ago.   

Now, if that little intro didn't give you an idea of what to expect from the mighty Beastwood, snap out of it Dorothy, you're not in Kansas anymore.  These dudes thrive on some seriously muddy grooves, and [I don't like to single out pieces of a band that have such potent chemistry, but...] Jake's vocal contribution is the agro-icing on the cake.  The onslaught begins with album opener “Galactic Bison,” which (A) would make a damn fine nickname but also (B) makes a damn good way to get the mud slingin' started.  “Trails Beyond Johannesburg” has a tremendous slow chug of steady grooves that found itself a personal favorite of mine.  The grooves continue to pummel, and the vocals scathe, bringing to thought the question, "Just how the hell do these guys do it live?"  I'm curious because we rarely hear the sacrifice and dedication on studio recording that you experience on a Beastwood track.  Amplify and intensify that track in a live audience pushing back on Beastwood and ask, "How do they keep up?"  Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to find out.   

The album isn't all blood and sweat though.  Beastwood throws a nail in the boot stompin' towards the end of the album and its name is “Man of Many Names.”  What plays as an 'easy' listening Beastwood track (if it's possible to have such a thing) adorns Jake's clean vocals and some of the slickest acoustic pickin' the underground scene has heard.  “Man of Many Names” is sure to stand out in this crowd of thirteen mosh-happy tracks, whether a favorite or not. 

I can't help but recall my first impression of Beastwood stating, "The music embodies the musicians diligent nature, proving that hard time and practice can create kick-ass metal." After having this second shot of Beastwood, I believe I have to add the word 'fun' to that statement.  Why you ask? Because these guys are dead serious about their dedication to the music, but at the same time they are having a great time.  The gang buckled down, traveled and produced one of the finer records in 2012.  Yes, listeners will find some filler...some unwanted and some wanted, including a quote from Eastwood in “Unforgiven.”  I can, with confidence, say anywhere these tracks are spinning and anywhere Beastwood is performing, a good time is surely being had.  

 

**As I have in the past, I discovered a beer that I found myself drinking during the spinnin' of this album and think the combination complements one another quite well.  So, get out there and pick yourself up an Avery Ale to the Chief and save it for the official release of Alabama Space Witch.

Members: 

Blake - Guitar 

Jake - Vocals 

Jeff - Drums 

Tanner - Bass

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Earthless/Witch Tour Started Last Night

Earthless and Witch begin their East Coast tour tonight. The dates are as follows:

2/20: Toronto, CA - The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
2/21: Montreal, CA - Les Saints
2/22: Providence, RI - AS220
2/23: Boston, MA - TT the Bears
2/24: Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda`s
2/25: Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall Of Williamsburg
2/26: Washington, DC - DC9
2/27: Asbury Park, NJ - Asbury Lanes
2/28: Baltimore, MD - Ottobar

Witch is touring behind their March 2008 release Paralyzed. The record found Witch evolving beyond the standard Sabbathian riff structure that defined much of their first record. With Paralyzed, Witch step into new realms melding punk rock tempos with acid guitar freak-outs while maintaining sludgy head nodding grooves. Rather than revisiting the sounds of the 60`s/70`s, Witch reinvented them.


Earthless recently released Live At Roadburn, a double CD/LP masterpiece recorded live at the 2008 Roadburn Festival.

Witch and Earthless Announce February Tour

Witch and Tee Pee Records labelmates Earthless will team up for a set of tour dates starting in late February.

2/20: Toronto, CA - The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
2/21: Montreal, CA - Les Saints
2/22: Providence, RI - AS220
2/23: Boston, MA TT - The Bears
2/24: Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda`s
2/25: Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall Of Williamsburg
2/26: Washington, DC - DC9
2/27: Asbury Park, NJ - Asbury Lanes
2/28: Baltimore, MD - Ottobar

Witch is touring behind their March 2008 release, Paralyzed. The record found Witch evolving beyond the standard Sabbathian riff structure that defined much of their first record. With Paralyzed, Witch steps into new realms melding punk rock tempos with acid guitar freak-outs while maintaining sludgy head nodding grooves. Rather than revisiting the sounds of the 60`s/70`s, Witch reinvented them.

Earthless recently released Live At Roadburn, a double CD/LP masterpiece recorded live at the 2008 Roadburn Festival.

"Earthless` Live At Roadburn is the perfect middle ground between Randy Holden`s Population II and Mahavishnu Orchestra`s Between Nothingness And Eternity - an instrumental hard rock odyssey recommended to any brain in need of frying."
- Phil Freeman, Metal Edge

Album Of The Day-Witch-"Paralyzed" (2008)

The Album Of The Day is "Paralyzed" by Witch.



Poor Kyle Thomas. It can't be easy being the singer and guitarist for any group that features indie ax-god J. Mascis in the line-up—even if the Dinosaur Jr. genius is relegated to the drum stool. (Taylor Hawkins, of Foo Fighters fame, could probably commiserate.) To Thomas' credit, though, Witch's new album is filled with several moments of guitar playing so mammoth, heavy and psychedelically tweaked that it's easy to imagine him saying, "Who's the guitar legend now, old man?" in between his thunderous licks.

And though there's nothing on the group's second album, Paralyzed, that's going to make anyone forget that J. Fucking Mascis is in the band but not playing guitar, Thomas's efforts to rise to the occasion results in a thoroughly entertaining stoner-metal album. Not that Mascis is slacking on his end either, as his galloping, energetic playing gives Witch a punk energy that keeps the sometimes stodgy songs moving forward.

Among the highlights are "1000 MPH," which is both concrete-thick and viciously quick at the same time, and "Psychotic Rock," which features a nifty drum breakdown and fuzz-out guitar solo coda. The album's closing track, "Old Trap Line," slows things down to a Sabbath-worthy crawl for a change of pace, whereas "Space God" indulges in time honored stoner-metal touches like pretty acoustic guitars and psychedelic vocal effects. Thomas, who also plays in the folk group Feathers, has a voice perfectly suited to this racket. It blends in well without calling attention to itself, which is probably for the best considering that the few lyrics can be made out ("Gods who walk the earth," or "Pools of light, slowing fate") suggest that he's just knowingly playing with classic rock fantasy tropes. But in fairness, Witch's success is proof that those tropes, when handled well, can still be surprisingly delightful. (Michael Tedder, CMJ)

Tracklist:

01. Eye
02. Gone
03. 1000 MPH
04. Space God
05. Disappear
06. Sweet Sue
07. Psychotic Rock
08. Mutated
09. Old Trap Line


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