New Band To Burn One To: DEAD QUIET

Progressive, psychedelic, doom, stoner, fuzz, seventies.......Dead Quiet tick all the boxes and then some. Melodic, great vocals, deep metal, mesmerizing, moody, sticky, and toothsome ..... this Vancouver up-and-comer has a big basket full of advantages drawn from the gritty experiences of past individual engagements, now banding together as massively talented individuals to create fresh takes on the amalgam of possibilities as a 5 piece juggernaut. The first release, a self-titled surprise assault of mammoth sound and proportion, should very well break through the cacophony of amplified voices, managing to rise above, to be noticed, to place an indelible stamp of mushroom infused metal upon the marrow of your musical mind.

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Album Review: Slumber Dust - "Slumber Dust"

Fuzz, beautiful fuzz. It's what rock music these days in the mainstream is missing more than anything, it seems to me. The seeming reckless unleashing of the guitar in wonderful variation makes for beautiful metal musical constructs, vehicles of dank, dusk, and gloom that exhilarate and soar, deftly gliding through gritty, grimy filters of string and skin . We call it stoner, desert, doom, and sludge. It began in earnest as a genre in the 90s and exploded in that first fertile decade of the new century. And so now it forcefully powers through its third decade, hurtling fiercely toward a fourth, as strong as ever, witnessed by the massive number of artists and albums releasing new music almost daily on a worldwide scale. A hallmark of this ever awesome underground reverie is the subject of today's review, Slumber Dust, hailing just a stone throw from Buffalo, across the border in Saint Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Slumber Dust are a three piece faction of foot stomping, ass grinding metal rockers who bring an essential musical, metal deference to their brand of stoner rock and their initial self titled EP release.

At the time of recording, Slumber Dust were comprised of 3 members:

Geoff Graham - Vocals, and Guitar
Mike Manseau - Bass
Chance Watt - Drums

But the early history of the band was that of Geoff writing and playing songs with Kevin King, who can be heard on the underground recording of "Saturn's Basement" that is comprised of two of their songs, and seen in the accompanying video below. Well before Slumber Dust were able to properly record the album in a studio, Kevin passed away. Undaunted, Geoff formed the three piece named above and engineered the EP's recording and release on BandCamp.

Since the release of "Slumber Dust", Chance has been replaced with Eric James, and the new three piece arrangement are hard at work on 8 new monstrous tracks for their second release.

The EP opens with "The Last Starfighter", which quickly establishes the wealth of gifts these three Canadian lads have on offer. Guitar, bass, and drums are all immediately established with a clamor and commotion of fuzz galore. Following not long after are Geoff's vocals, a perfect complement to the underlying undulations. The song is heady, steady, and huge, with a persistent one two punch of rhythm that soon gives way to a mind bending instrumental stretch.

The tempo is tightened on "Angels", crunching and crackling with a blue spark of elecrtricity. "Pryamids" follows with a stoner huzzah, brandishing an engorged feast of melodic fuzz. This song will be on my 2016 mix, and beyond, as one of special quality.

"Samadhi" continues the established trend with huge and hungry guitar leading the way through a fun and original melody, this one with an exquisite haunting quality that flashes into your consciousness immediately, staying long after. "Ksitigarbha" is a sloshing, slogging doomcast of dark and dangerous undertones, leading perfectly into the finale, "Bad Karma", which again establishes Slumber Dust's keenness for melody wrapped in heavy, syrupy blankets of muddy fuzz.

I've been quick to note the guitar work and outstanding vocals of frontman Geoff Graham, but equally gifted and energetic on this album are both Mike Manseau's bass and Chance Watt's drums. Mike makes the bass soar under the reedy landscape of melody with his own expert riffs of low bliss. Chance's drums are simply fun incarnate, never taking a backseat to the renown of riff or lead of vocal, while complementing both.

Slumber Dust are a young band, just getting started on their long, musical assault of stoner riches. We look forward to what they have in store for us in the future.



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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: Mojo Wizard-Stoner Rock / Psychedelic Blues Rock From Quebec, Canada

Band Name: Mojo Wizard
Genre: Stoner Rock / Psychedelic Blues Rock
Location: Quebec, Canada
Brief Bio/Description: Powerful, heavy and intoxicating rock that brings back to life the era of jean coats and rolled cigarettes. Bluesy stoner grooves with elements of psych woven into their fabric. Mojo Wizard offers a mind-melting show of sweaty fuzz instruments, a mesmerizing voice and a tight groove.
Band Members:
Rico Desjardins : Voice
Karim M'Sallem : Guitar
Guillaume Couture : Bass
Maxime Lussier : Drums and Percs
Links: Bandcamp | Facebook

Band Submission: La Chinga-Hard Rock Stoner Power Trio From Vancouver, Canada

Band Name: La Chinga
Genre: Hard Rock Stoner Power Trio
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Brief Bio/Description: La Chinga is a hard Rock power trio with psychedelic powers sitting on the worlds edge in Vancouver, Canada. Drawing from UFO, ZZ Top, Sabs, Zep, the MC5 and their own superbad habits, La Chinga has established a fanbase in Europe and Canada from it's killer live shows! Detroit's Small Stone records just released their new lp 'Freewheelin' to rave reviews! Chock full o' stadium anthems and rad riffs! The bands sophomore album is prompting fans to wonder why they don't make em like this anymore!
Band Members:
Carl Spackler Bass/Vox
Jay Solyom Drums/ Production
Ben Yardley Guitars, Vox, Theremin
Links: YouTube | Facebook | Bandcamp

Band Submission: Warsnake-Doom Metal, Stoner Rock, Hardcore From Toronto, Canada

Band Name: Warsnake
Genre: Doom Metal, Stoner Rock, Hardcore
Location: Toronto, Canada
Brief Bio/Description: Warsnake is a Doom Metal, Stoner Rock, Hardcore band from Toronto Canada. New projects for 2016 include: full length album, music video, video game soundtrack and music featured on the hit series Motorcycle Wars.
Band Members:
Matt
Jay
Links: Website | Bandcamp | Facebook

Band Submission: Senzafine-Post-Rock From Montreal, Canada

Band Name: Senzafine
Genre: Post-Rock
Location: Montreal
Brief Bio/Description: Post-rock from Montreal, Canada
Band Members:
Yann
Vince
Jason
Links: Bandcamp | Facebook

New Band To Burn One To: Lousy Riders

Toronto, Canada, duo Lousy Riders are about to be one of your new favourite bands. The stoner blues band have just released an EP Worst Is Yet To Come, and it is a serious joyous assault on your ears. Lead vocalist Snow carries a charging vocal as her voice powers over the chords creating a heavy stoner rock vibe as the driving guitar and drums riffs heavy while entwining with stunning blues-heavy song structures.

Get into Lousy Riders now, as stunning songs like ‘Dead End’ can’t stay unnoticed for long. An excellent band with great things ahead of them. 

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LP Review: Mona by Crux of Aux

Canadians Crux of Aux have been a band for a decade, and only now do we finally get to see the release of their debut record, Mona; and it is brutal! The band features former members of Cursed, Shallow North Dakota, and Sailboats are White, peddling their own hybrid of Noise, Sludge, Hardcore, and heavy riffing with devastating aplomb.

The record opens with the mosh-inducing ‘Purgatory Cop’ menacingly carrying a crushing riff over four minutes of scorched vocals stalking your every move. The vocals are full of a pain and anger that breathes life into the music as much as it feasts on its corpse. The guitars drag you kicking and screaming into an uncomfortable plain of head-banging, while the drums all but countdown to the tracks ultimate end: it’s destruction but in a beautifully artistic approach. The hardcore/(early)Mastodon-esque pummelling of ‘Sewer Ghost’ show that the band aren’t afraid to throw their hat into a breakneck speed ring, carrying a punk aesthetic to their shredding.

The record is as raw to the bone as it gets: ‘Body of Shale’ captures the band at their brutally diverse best, mixing jarred guitar riffs, pummelling drums, all covered with deathly vocals intertwined with sludge and noise, with even the tiniest hint of psychedelia just to fully throw you off balance. There are elements of grind in ‘Splat Splat’ and ‘Cestoda’, but ultimately, the sludge, Noise, and simply sheer heaviness of Crux of Aux shines through brightest, culminating in a record which is as brutal and unsettling as it is party-like and moshable. Mona is a must for fans of all thing HEAVY.

No Why Records

Album Review: Chron Goblin - "Backwater"

Decades ago, I read an interview with Chris Cornell in which he admitted "I totally have a classic-rock voice." The quote held as much veiled self-righteousness as it did "Aw shucks, Mrs. Cunningham" good ol' boy dimples, but it wasn't short on truth. Many of his contemporaries had damp sacks for pipes, ensuring Soundgarden couldn't later be accused of bearing any responsibility for post-grunge horseshit from the likes of Fuel and Oleander. So whatever influenced the range he's displayed throughout his career, to that I'll wink, nod, and tip my black hat.

Ah, but you're likely still unclear on the parallels I'm drawing between those 90's grunge gods and Calgary burners Chron Goblin. I can simply offer that Backwater, the band's third full-length and their greatest salute to ghosts of Christmas past, may be the perfect companion on a late-night drive. These eight songs present no shortage of surprises, and an accelerated confidence resulting from the successes of 2013's stunning Life for the Living is readily apparent. But the marriage of the classic with the contemporary can't be dismissed. Where some bands cut and paste today's sounds with that of 1970, Chron Goblin fail to ignore those momentary flickers sandwiched in-between, throttling forward with an ever-evolving, thunderous racket.



The band lays a steady canvas of spiny licks on Fuller, choreographing grandiose ducks and dodges in a thick, fuzzy tapestry that serves as a woven backdrop of what will unfold with the remaining seven tracks. That persistent churn funnels into the slow, sweeping draw of Seattle. Good fucking God, the smoky repetition is damn-near tragic as the classic fuzz-glazed punch amps. Drums battle better judgment and take home trophies, but listeners are left with an early spoiler: these dudes are pretty fuckin' good. The forward chug of Give Way challenges with pauses and driven fists, possessing a heavy throwback gait that so many attempt but so few achieve. I'll give one more mention to those pauses... you'll notice them. And you'll swoon.

The album's thorax fractures under the title track, a patient and dirty trudge through the swamp. Rumbling as it escalates, the sounds showcases Chron Goblin's evolution. Guitars absolutely shred and the rhythm section lays a trail of blazing shit that you can't help but gleefully step in. The balance of cascades and eruptions is apparently endless and helps separate these songs from the band's previous efforts. The calculated bass roll of The Wailing Sound is patient and, quite simply, fucking cool. At no point on this album is there a greater haze, a spookier silhouette offering such somber sustain.

But fuck all if End Time isn't the album's most blazing meld of what was and what is. Such rock, much roll! It's undeniably Blackwater's most aggressive and confident track and boasts its best moments. That hollow march, those skyward licks... follow that up with some incredible guitar work and put a tag on my fucking toe, I'm done. Hard Living's Black Tusk/Orange Goblin whispers are a subtle kick to the gut, and the adventurous guitar holds its own against strong influences. By the time The Return plays, I'm too spent to celebrate. Slow, thick, and bass-driven, I'm entirely struck by this band's ability to cover four quarters, eight tracks of swig-n-swill, beerin' 'n rollin' rock that's far more substance than style.

In sum, Backwater appeases both you and the ol' man. As he tinkers with a rusty engine and you do your best to wrest keys from his drunk, crooked fingers, you two assholes may just identify a common interest. No, Chron Goblin can't stomach your mom's casserole, but neither can your dad. What they can do is offer an avenue for you and that dusty topkick to bond over shit-for-beer and brilliant, era-defying guitar-driven rock. I know, I know... he's a prick. He's a drunk. So what? Introduce him to his new favorite band and maybe he'll keep you in the will, you self-righteous little shit.

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