Album Review: 'Green' by Mage

Isn’t it sweet when as a music community we get together to show solidarity and an appreciation for the things we care about? Leicester (UK)-based Mage are certainly grateful. After a successful Pledge Music campaign, their fans helped fund their latest and fourth record Green. 

The record itself, laid down at Skyhammer Studios by Chris Fielding, is seven chunks of straight-forward in yer face riffage, much in the vein of DOWN, CoC or Alabama Thunderpussy. 

Green opens with foot-stomping riff on Nowhere To Nothing that Pepper Keenan would be proud of, and the southern sludgy comparisons don’t stop there. The pounding drums open up Primitive Drive before pulling back to a slow morose guitar chords, evoking images of going eye to eye with an alligator in a Louisiana swamp. And listen out for a guest appearance from Raging Speedhorn front-man John Loughlin, who guests on three tracks. On stand-out track Vultures Mass, Mage deliver an epic slow-burner that grows to the doomiest of conclusions and rounds the record off. 

Mage are becoming regulars on the UK stoner scene, and through their head-nodding up-tempo groove combined with slower sludgy riffing, you can hear why. If you dig your big heavy riffs, melodic vocals and shit tons of groove, then hit play. 

Get in the beers in, roll up a fat one and join Mage in the Green.  

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LP Review: King of Worms by Never Before

A lot is going to be made about this bands origins, and it’s a fair point to focus on, because there aren’t a lot, or indeed any, stoner metal bands hailing from Beijing, China. But that is not enough alone to make us want to tell you about Never Before, we’re talking about this band because, my word, King of Worms is one kick ass record!

Despite being Chinese, the band don’t sing in their native tongue, instead using English to appeal to a wider audience, and as soon as the music rains down upon you during opener ‘Born To Lose’, location and origin mean nothing, and the power of the riff takes over. The opening track is one of the more doom-esque tracks on King of Worms, with hints of classic rock/thrash poking their heads out at every opportunity. It’s a nine-minute track showcasing all of the band’s talents. The band begin to have some fun with second track ‘Killer or Survivor’ as the groovy stoner metal elements kick into full swing. This is a band who like to have fun while rocking with their balls out! ‘Drink, Fuck, Puke’ is one of our particular favourites here, using elements of the power of old school punk before the heavy swathes of grooving stoner riffs kick in, creating a glorious few minutes of head-thrashing.

As the record develops, the riffs get rawer and louder: ‘Wild Dog’ sounds like it was recorded inside the exhaust of a Harley going 100 through the desert plains, ‘Cold Blood Mike’ is an earthquake of stoner metal riffs to delight everyone reading this blog! ’10,000 Years of Sleep’ may as well be a tribute to said band (Sleep that is) with its heavy drawn out riffs creating a glorious cacophony, while the full-on metal assault of ‘Fall’ quickly awakens the senses once more.

From start to finish, King of Worms is an enthralling listen. There are elements of doom, stoner, metal, punk, all played with incredible energy and skill, with riffs to make your face melt and savagely band the remains to a pulp! China has over 1.3 billion people living there, and these five guys are standing on top of the stoner metal food chain! Let’s see what else you guys have got!

“DRINK, FUCK, PUKE!!”

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Band Submission: Iron Trap-Stoner Metal/Rock From Québec City, Canada

Band Name: Iron Trap
Genre: Stoner Metal/Rock
Location: Québec City, Canada
Brief Bio/Description: Iron Trap is a stoner metal trio featuring the bassist and the guitarist of symphonic death metal band Aeternam. Interestingly, the two bands are completely different. Fuzzy bass solos, simple but hard-hitting drums and bluesy guitar solos are to be expected in this new band. Stream their new EP, Instincts, on Bandcamp.
Band Members:
Maxime Boucher: Bass, vocals
Alexandre Loignon: Guitars
Fanny Grenier: Drums
Links: Bandcamp | Facebook

Band Submission: Gypsy Chief Goliath- Stoner Metal / Rock From Windsor/Toronto Ontario Canada

Band Name: Gypsy Chief Goliath
Genre: Stoner Metal / Rock
Location: Windsor/Toronto Ontario Canada
Brief Bio/Description: In the bloodthirsty arena of heavy metal, riddled with competition constantly on the rise, Gypsy Chief Goliath stands alone. This musical brotherhood is comprised of former members of benchmark Canadian rock n' roll groups and flagship metal acts Georgian Skull, the Mighty Nimbus, Mr. Bones and Blood Runs Cold.

GCG casts a shadow over all that is heavy like a lumbering giant by forging a thunderous sound dark swamp infused sludgy riffs. Their unforgiving work ethic allows their scorching hunger to promote their debut album and their explosive sophomore record New Machines of the Night on the road making them Canada's premiere stoner rock act. Mia Tyler, daughter of legendary Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler, described GCG by saying, "This could seriously be your favorite band ever."

Gypsy Chief Goliath plays twenty-first century blues that's the hybrid son of greasy stoner rock chops, the sonic density of killer 70's classic rock delivered with a punk rock attitude. Their blazing signature sound contains searing twin guitar attack flies over top of bruising bass lines, machine-gun drumming, guttural vocals and scorching harmonica to keep their blues roots alive. Their savage sonic assault is born of the unholy Black Sabbath, the timeless licks of Thin Lizzy and the intoxicating soulful sludge of Down. Through their unforgiving work ethic in the studio earned them an international distribution with the landmark independent label Pitch Black Records.

When the band unleashed their sonic sorcery on their newest album New Machines of the Night, the record revealed that they elevated their sound to daring new heights that the dark depth of their sound. Lead vocalist Al "the Yeti" Bones refined his barbaric vocal attack by combining his vivid lyrics, ferocious delivery and pulverizing guitar to create a voracious performance in the studio and on stage.

"Gypsy" Dave Ljubanovich plays his guitar like a blacksmith smacks an anvil; with devastating precision and primal strength, that creates diabolic dynamics with Al or soaring over top the band with his fiery leads. Adam Saitti intertwines his pummeling percussion with the slithering bass lines of Darren Brush alongside Steve Dugal rhythm guitar to forge an enduring musical foundation that provides the framework for the band to create their signature sonic atmosphere in every song.

For those that think the spirit of the blues is a relic of the past, GCG's very on Reverend Brodie Stevenson resurrects the bands' enduring love of the genre that's shaped their sound and influenced their musical heroes in order to bring the harmonica by integrating it with modern metal. Brodie adds a distinguished layer of soulful synergy to the band that honors their love of the blues legends that came before them while giving their sound a distinct flavor.

The combustible musical alchemy of the band is comprised of the individual flare and undisputed style of every member, but when they are brought together they create an unforgiving musical force of nature. By creating a sound that pays homage to their influences while pushing themselves to edge of their creative limits collectively, the band creates an original sound that distinguishes itself from the ocean of other metal bands out there.

Their single "Black Samurai" reached #15 on iTunes Canada, which got into rotation on over 200 radio stations across North America including slots on prestigious stations like Direct TV & Sirius Satelite Radio. Revolver Magazine New Machines of the Night to #4 in their Readers Poll for "Album of the Week" which beat out Stone Temple Pilots.

The album held the #15 spot on the North American CMJ Loud Rock Charts for six weeks straight & peaked at #2 on the Earshot Loud charts for three weeks in a row. Canadian Musician Magazine showcased GCG with a feature article & Exclaim! Magazine listed them as "one band to watch out for" in 2014.

Their lethal live performance allowed them to share the stage with some of the most prolific acts in stoner rock and heavy metal, solidifying their honored place in the pantheon of greatness within the genre. Gypsy Chief Goliath has toured with influential underground titans Corrosion of Conformity, Kill Devil Hill (ex- Pantera), Sons of Otis, Fifty Watt Head, Cryptopsy & Kittie.

Gypsy Chief Goliath also earned themselves sets at benchmark festivals including Canadian Music Week & KoiFest 14 featuring Danko Jones, Foxy Shazam & Every Time I Die among others. Prepare yourself for a musical beast of an entirely new breed when you encounter the colossal roar of Gypsy Chief Goliath.
Band Members:
Al 'Yeti' Bones
Darren Brush
Adam Saitti
Links: Album Stream | Website | Facebook

Band Submission: Shadow Witch-Heavy Psych / Stoner Metal From Kingston, New York

Band Name: Shadow Witch
Genre: Heavy Psych / Stoner Metal
Location: Kingston, New York 12401
Brief Bio/Description: "If Clutch, Red Fang, Mastodon, Sabbath and Another Animal had a baby, this is it...hell of an orgy "
Band Members:
Anton Van Kleek - Drums
‎David Pannullo - Bass & Voice
E.Walker Lundy - Lead Vocals, Mellotron, Loops
Jeremy H. Hall - Guitars
Links: Facebook | Bandcamp

Band Submission: Space Ape-Stoner Rock/Metal From Dallas, TX

Band Name: Space Ape
Genre: Stoner Rock/Metal
Location: Dallas, TX
Brief Bio/Description: We are a three piece Indie Rock/Stoner Rock/Metal band from Dallas, TX. We've been regularly playing in the Dallas, Denton & Austin, TX. areas since 2014. We've just recorded our debut album at Crystal Clear Studios and the album was produced by Kent Stump of the band Wo-Fat.

We will release on all digital outlets on May 3rd and also have our album available on CD and Vinyl in May.
Band Members:
James Duffer (Drums/Vocals on tracks 2, 5 & 7)
Joseph Martin (Guitar/Vocals on tracks 3, 4, 6 & 8)
Nick Stanley (Bass)
Links: Bandcamp | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube

Band Submission: Crystal Balls-Blackened Doom / Stoner Metal From Gainesvills, FL

Band Name: Crystal Balls
Genre: Blackened Doom / Stoner Metal
Location: Gainesville, Florida, USA
Brief Bio/Description: Crystal Balls is a band of slow, meaty, headbangin' riffs, etherial clean passages, theatrical song structures, and powerful vocals that range from angry to evil. Live rituals feature loud amps and a thick layer of fog to enhance sensory deprivation. Crystal Balls' debut EP Roots will be available everywhere music is streamed on 4/20/16 and features chapters I and II of an interplanetary doom saga of betrayal, revenge, and agriculture.
Band Members:
Erick Ublies - bass, vocals
Kendrick Lemke - guitar
Nick Herrera - drums
Links: Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram

Band Submission: Red Tape Revolution-Stoner Sludge Metal From Akron, Ohio

Band Name: Red Tape Revolution
Genre: Stoner Metal / Sludge Metal
Location: Akron, Ohio
Brief Bio/Description: The struggle of the proletariat is as real now as it ever has been. Long has the system successfully crushed the will of the people. Wealth is hoarded by the ruling class over people who have been overworked and coaxed into obedience by the world's major religions. Through the writings of great thinkers such as Karl Marx, Mikhail Bakunin, Emma Goldman, Noam Chomsky, Martin Luther King, Jr., George Orwell, Bertrand Russell, Albert Einstein, and Christopher Hitchens, one can begin to see through the red tape layered over the system built to oppress its people.

Aside from direct action, in no way has the proletariat expressed its anger and frustration and come together more effectively as it has through music. In 2015 our musical protest began when guitarist/vocalist Tommy Pillitiere and guitarist/vocalist Chris Hatfield began to write music for a project that was to be inspired by the many influences that had drawn them to music from early ages. From the revolutionary anti-establishment blues based rock of the 60s/70s to The Decline by NOFX to War Pigs by Black Sabbath to Propagandhi's Potemkin City Limits, the inspirations came fast and varied. Soon, the addition of long time friend and bassist Bobby Holmes, Pillitiere's former bandmate drummer Bill McClellan, and the voice of singer Bob Rivers the pieces were in place for what has become the project that was imagined from its inception.

With all members contributing to the music and lyrics, the band has become its own representation of true democracy. Music for the people and by the people. The DIY mentality of Punk. The straight forwardness of Hardcore. The mind expanding landscapes of 60s Psychedelia. The hammer strike of the heaviest Doom Metal. We are the movement. This is our creed.

It is with this in mind we bring forth this manifesto.

The Manifesto of the Red Tape Revolution.

Band Members:
Bill McClellan - Drums
Bobby Holmes - Bass
Bob Rivers - Vocals
Chris Hatfield - Guitar
Tommy Pillitiere - Guitar
Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Band Submission: Black Overdrive-Stoner Metal From Mexico City, Mexico

Band Name: Black Overdrive
Genre: Stoner Metal
Location: Mexico City
Brief Bio/Description: The band members of Black Overdrive were playing in different bands from Mexico's Stoner and Metal scene. Those bands for one or other reason, decided to stop playing. So, restless men, the four Black Overdrive musicians intended to form a cover band to play at friends parties and the like, just for fun. On the very first rehearsal session, the ended up writing a whole original song, given that they could play that better than any cover song we attempted to. And so Black Overdrive became a full time band, and their former bands were folded.

Four years on now, they have released a demo EP (S/T, 2012), recorded at a studio rehearsal and a full length album, Discord (Oz Music, 2015) was launched (first digitally, months later on CD). Up until now they have played some of Mexico's major festivals, sharing bill and as support of major acts such as Motorhead, Anthrax, Spiritual Beggars, Corrosion of Conformity, Black Tusk as well as many other very talented mexican bands.

Black Overdrive tries to keep the door open musically speaking, but keep it heavy. You can hear Doom, Stoner, Hardcore and Thrash running up and down the tracks. It's a declaration of war against weak music, which is widely spreaded all over Mexico. With Black Overdrive, it's gotta be Loud & Proud!
Band Members:
Rene Villanueva - Guitar
Angel Castillo - Bass
JC Pintor - Drums
Ivan Nieblas - Guitar/Vocals
Links: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bandcamp

New Band To Burn One To: Ghost Witch

This two track demo from Bay Area, California, USA, stoner/doom/occult band Ghost Witch, is all kinds of heavy, dark, and nightmarish beauty. Combining elements of stoner metal and traditional doom, alongside psychedelic tendencies, accompanied by mysteriously captivating vocals make for a perfect musical experience of sitting in a graveyard at midnight, slowly head-banging at the moon as some hands grab at your ankles.

Considering this is just a demo, these guys are onto something special, with an occult doom epic surely waiting on their debut full-length. We’ll be keeping our ears ready for when it arrives, but for now, divulge yourself in these two tracks of Windhand size proportions!

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