Album Review: Frozen Planet….1969 - Electric Smokehouse

The new album Electric Smokehouse from Sydney, Australia's own Frozen Planet….1969 is fully instrumental, completely improvised and full on intergalactic.  Seriously, like nothing I have ever experienced before outside of a certain psychotropic.  Just an insane carnival ride through multiple dimensions that you don't want to end or you do want it to end or your not sure if it is ever going to end and you are going to be stuck like this forever.  One way or the other your life will never be what it was when it's done.   

The band is comprised of Paul Attard tripping out on guitar, Lachlan Paine bringing the heavy low end fuzz on bass and Frank Attard pulling it all together on drums.  Their songwriting style is to not write songs, why bother?  They just jam.  Man, they fucking jam.   

I just listened to the album for the third time in a row and am sitting here in silence.  Heart palpitating, a little short of breath and not sure what to do next.  There is nothing to follow this album up with except maybe a cigarette and some quiet time.  I feel exhilarated and exhausted at the same time. 

Electric Smokehouse will be released on January 11th through Pepper Shaker Records.  Of course there will also be vinyl (in black or transparent purple).  

You have to check this one out, you just may look at life a little bit differently after you do. 

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LP Review: Olde One Ascending by Vokonis

When Earth is no longer big enough to contain your seismic riffs, the only place left is the infinitely expanding dimensions of space, and that is exactly where Swedish heavy stoner/psych trio Vokonis firmly thrust themselves with their debut record Olde One Ascending, with riffs capable of bringing down planets, drumming the depths of a black hole, and vocals with the force of star imploding, the band have gone all in and left nothing to waste. Anyway, that’s enough of the space analogies, let’s get to the music.

The record opens with the thunderous ‘Olde One’; eight minutes of pure heavy stoner rock, charging ever forward after it falsely appears to head into a space rock direction. There are hints of the bands psychedelic roots and the underlying sound of doom, but the gigantic rolling riffs bring about hefty head banging. The vocals of Simon Ohlsson are passionately shouted with more of a ritual echo rather than anger, a little reminiscent of early Black Pyramid. The loud drone of the vocals remain at a constant attention grabbing level throughout the record, as ‘The Serpent’s Alive’ follows a similar route but leaning towards more psychedelia routes as the killer guitar solo takes your tripped out subconscious by the balls and reminds it who’s boss.

The guitar work and drumming are at an excellent standard, wielded by talented musicians who wear their influences on their sleeves (mainly Sleep) as the power of ‘Acid Pilgrim’ melts the speakers, the sheer stoner audacity of ‘Shroomblade’ is orgasmic to listen to with riffs to destroy the heaviest of hearts, and closer ‘Hazmat The Ashen Rider’ releases a cacophony of riffs directly into your face without an ounce of apology. The six songs on offer here fly by in an instant, but the whole record leaves you with your fists clenched, and a feeling that what you’ve just listened to was just about as heavy as it gets (and just in case you didn’t realise the name of this blog, that’s how we like things around here!). Olde One Ascending is an excellent heavy record and if your speakers can take it, get a hold of a copy now!

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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: Cities of Mars-Doom/Fuzz/Heavy Psych From Gothenburg, Sweden

Band Name: Cities of Mars
Genre: Doom/Fuzz/Heavy Psych
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Brief Bio/Description: After a critically acclaimed debut two-track single in 2015, Gothenburg-based psychedelic doom metal trio CITIES OF MARS release the follow-up EP. These three tracks continue to delve into the dark saga of the Soviet cosmonaut/KGB agent Nadia that landed on Mars in a covert mission in 1971 and discovers a buried civilization dating back to the dawn of time.

For fans of Mastodon, Elder, The Obsessed, Sleep, Kylesa and others.

Recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Esben Willems/Berserk Audio.

Cover art by Axel Widén, www.axelwiden.com.

All rights reserved.

Band Members:
Danne Palm-Bass, Vocals
Christoffer Norén-Guitar, Vocals
Johan Küchler-Drums, Vocals
Links: Website | Bandcamp | Facebook

Band Submission: Lawman-Heavy Psychedelic Rock From Austin, Texas

Band Name: Lawman
Genre: Heavy Psychedelic Rock
Location: Austin, TX
Brief Bio/Description:Raw and Heavy Psych from Austin, Texas featuring members of Ditch Witch. "Moon" EP free download available now via lawman.bandcamp.com
Band Members:
Nick-Guitar and Vocals
Mikey-Bass
Sean-Drums
Links: Bandcamp | Facebook

Band Submission: Silverleaf-Progressive Stoner Psych From Denmark

Band Name: Silverleaf
Genre: Progressive-Stoner-Psych-Bluesy Rock
Location: Denmark
Brief Bio/Description: Silverleaf is a Danish/ Norwegian power trio formed during the summer of 2014. The band contains musicians from earlier bands Fuzz Manta, Cherry Overdrive and Nicolai Wilhelm Tell & the Tea Company, and each member draws on years of live experience from the Danish and European scenes. The band delivers a genuine package of progressive rock, stoner, psychedelia and blues mixed with a lot of melodic elements. The trio moves smoothly between the delicate airy breeze and the massive dark abyss with a ton of passion as common denominator.
In the fall of 2015 Silverleaf went to Hannover, Germany, and recorded their coming debut album, which will be released on Berlin based Bilocacion Records/Kozmik Artifactz summer 2016.

Band Members:
Morgan Cederborg: Guitar
Lene Kjær Hvillum: Vox & Bass
Morten Albjerg Rasmussen: Drums
Links: YouTube | Facebook

Band Submission: Youngblood Supercult-Stoner/Blues/Psych From Topeka, Kansas

Band Name: Youngblood Supercult
Genre: Stoner/Blues/Psych
Location: Topeka, KS
Brief Bio/Description: Youngblood Supercult formed in the wake of the splintering of several different bands located on the desolate plains of northeast Kansas. The four original YBSC members--Bailey Smith, Weston Alford, Coder Potts, and Wyatt Desch--quietly crept into the Topeka music scene with their debut in the NOTO Arts District on September 6th, 2013. The reaction to their thunderous but discernibly Midwestern blues/stoner rock sound was explosive.

With several shows under their belt, the four musicians holed up at Alexander Lancaster's Two Wolves Studio in historic downtown Topeka to record their ambitious debut album, Season of the Witch, under the direction of producer and friend, David Steinlage. The seasoned and revered Mr. Jerry Tubb of Austin's Terra Nova Studios mastered the album, and the band formed a lasting relationship with designer Pol Abran of Branca Studio in Barcelona to oversee the album art. Heavy Planet praised the album in their review: "Straight out of Topeka, Kansas comes four riff-worshipping bandmates that unite their love of seventies heavy blues, occult-ish doom rock, and a free and easy vibe in what they like to call Stoner-lite. I would have to say that their sound would not qualify as "lite" in my book, in someone else's, maybe. The band's first single "Season of the Witch" is a slithering, hard-driving, and catchy tune that wraps around a tight groove. The vocals reign supreme with their b ravado and mighty soaring ability. Youngblood Supercult has played alongside fellow [Topekans] and Heavy Planet favorite The Midnight Ghost Train. The band has a very straight-forward approach and a strong desire to make a name for themselves. Give Youngblood Supercult a listen, you'll be glad you did."

Following the release of Season of the Witch, vocalist Wyatt Desch left the group to focus on other endeavors. The remaining trio caught a break with the addition of their beloved friend and current vocalist, David Merrill. This transition marked a new era for the group. They wrote feverishly, departing from their previous driving heavy rock sound in favor of experimenting with elements of folk, blues, psych, and the droning, flat-tuned, off-time riffs that are the trademark of the traditional classic heavy stoner sound.

The response to their unique culmination of sound has been mammoth. The group began recording new material in late 2015. This process was not without its share of inner turmoil and strife between band members. As a result of creative differences between Coder and the rest of the group, David stepped up to record basslines on High Plains. After peacefully severing professional ties with their bassist, Youngblood Supercult consolidated into a three-piece group as David began and continues to work diligently on simultaneous vocals and bass. With three powerhouses now at the helm of the heavy, riff-laden, electric spaceship that is Youngblood Supercult, the band is mightier than ever.

The group released their sophomore album High Plains on February 19th, 2016, an album which has already received critical acclaim from The Obelisk's JJ Koczan, who wrote: "Midwestern fuzz ideologues Youngblood Supercult release their sophomore full-length, High Plains, on Feb. 19. An 11-track/48-minute CD with double-vinyl impending for this summer, it follows early 2014’s debut, Season of the Witch, and marks a significant change in vibe on the part of the graphic-design-inclined Topeka, Kansas, three-piece. Where the debut took a classic metal bent toward heavy rock, more straightforward and rhythmically driving, High Plains offers plenty of sonic weight — the guitar and bass working together on “Black Hawk,” or the clawing “Nomad” earlier on — but takes a more lurching, atmospheric approach overall. This seems to have been a purposeful shift in aesthetic as much as one of lineup, but either way, it suits them." High Plains also ranked at NUMBER 2 on the March Doom Charts (check it out here: https://doomcharts.com/2016/03/08/the-doom-chart-for-march-2016/), outranking several of the group's musical idols and solidifying High Plains as one of the more sublime pieces of music to hit the airwaves this year. And they have no plans of slowing down; they are currently writing material for a third album. Drink the Flavor-Aid, my friends. Join the cult.
Band Members:
Bailey Smith//Guitar
Weston Alford//Drums
David Merrill//Vocals & Bass
Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Website

Band Submission: Sun Voyager-Heavy Psych From Brooklyn, New York

Band Name: Sun Voyager
Genre: Heavy Psych
Location: Brooklyn
Brief Bio/Description: Described by the Obelisk as “Laid back atmosphere of heavy psychedelia and rolling low end groove,” Sun Voyager is a heavy psych rock group consisting of members Carlos Francisco, Stefan Mersch, Kyle Beach, and Steve Friedman. They released a pair of 3-song demos in 2013 (Cosmic Tides and Mecca), both of which received acclaim from a number of heavy music publications such as The Obelisk, Heavy Planet (you guys!), and The Soda Shop, before signing on with King Pizza Records in 2014.

Sun Voyager recorded eight tracks at Ghostload Sound in 2014 which ultimately became Grease Voyage (split with Brooklyn’s Greasy Hearts) and 2015’s Lazy Daze EP which features some heavier tracks such as “God Is Dead” and “Gypsy Hill,” along with mellower psych grooves like “Be Here Now.” Mersch and Kyle relocated to Brooklyn somewhere along the way and lead guitarist Steven Friedman moved to Alabama, but the trio of continues to write, record, and play tons of shows all over the Northeastern United States.

The voyage has just begun. A debut LP is on the way in 2016 along with a split 7” with labelmates The Mad Doctors.
Band Members:
Carlos Francisco - Vocals/Guitar
Stefan Mersch - Bass
Kyle Beach - Drums
Steve Friedman - Lead Guitar
Links: Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Website

Song of the Day-Matte Black-"Dust of This Planet"

"Dust of This Planet" is taken off of the latest full-length release of the same name. I'm in a bit of a chilled mood today and for that reason I have chosen this exquisite piece of work. This song from this Brooklyn 3-piece is a despondent dirge of deep and somber melody, slow and brooding rhythm and a heaviness that crushes your psyche. For more information, please check out the following links: Facebook | Bandcamp

Song of the Day-Mother Mooch-"Misery Hill"

"Misery Hill" is taken off of the band's latest release "Nocturnes". Some of you may have caught on to the band earlier this year with their killer 3-song sampler release "Preludes". Well, the full-length has finally arrived and it does not disappoint. Many would tend to lump the band into the female-fronted occult rock trending right now, but I think otherwise. The band has a "classic rock" sound that blends many different styles from heavy psych to 90's grunge. If you ask me, I think the vocal sounds a bit like Chrissie Hynde from The Pretenders, which is a good thing. That artwork is astonishing! For more information, please check out the following links: Facebook | Bandcamp

Song of the Day-The Curse of Wendigo-"The Feathered Head"

"The Feathered Head" is a newly released song from Ukrainian band The Curse of Wendigo. Interesting and complex blend of heavy psychedelic stoner rock. Ever-changing time signatures and dynamics outweigh the disgruntled and grimy vocal. The sound is very cold, dark and meandering with plenty of changes to keep your interest. For more information, please check out the following links: Facebook | Bandcamp

Song of the Day-Dirty Streets-"White Horse"

"White Horse" is taken off of the upcoming album of the same name due out November 27, 2015 on Alive Naturalsound. The song premiered on Pure Volume a few days ago and from the sounds of this first single, the album will be well worth the wait. Who says rock is dead? You just have to know where to look and that place just happens to be the streets of Memphis, Tennessee. After a two-year layoff the band has elaborated on their signature sound which features smokin' hot guitar riffs, a mighty soulful groove and a hypnotic midnight moan. For more information, please check out the following link: Facebook

EP Review: "Impending" by Black Tremor

The notes on this next band had the makings of a total disaster…A three piece instrumental psych/doom band from the wastelands of Saskatchewan, Canada consisting of a bass, drum and violin. Yeah, violin mf’ers. Here’s the thing, this whole sound totally works. Black Tremor have found the secret to their unconventional mix: time. Each song unfolds with multiple movements; each section tumbling and folding over itself as if replicating the formation of the funnel clouds on the EP’s cover photo.

There’s a desolation in the music that conjures up imagery of the dry endless wastes on the edge of the Canadian steppe where the band is from.  Each musical idea seeds in the dust and germinates over several minutes.  The best example of this metamorphic style is on album highlight “Markhor”. The droning middle-eastern melody sheds its skin as the landscape reveals itself; a tribute to the home environs of its “devil goat” namesake.  The drums stutter forward as the bass levels everything in its path in constant waves of drone and noise.  The violin is a picture of restraint in this song. It sometimes darts around the edges to give color only to give way later to the lead musical theme. A truly incredible sound.

If Boston area Narco-pop legends Morphine had a baby with ISIS, the result would sound startlingly like Black Tremor.   The echoes of several bands are found deep within Black Tremor’s massive sound, but in the end there really is nothing else that sounds even remotely like these guys. Highly recommended for high speed psychic (or actual) trips through the desert in your red Cadillac convertible.

You can check out the entire album on their bandcamp and Facebook pages. Awesome stuff.

Three New Bands To Burn One To

Ruins

This New Jersey three-piece (Mike Marra. Joe Heggie. Tyler White) play some heavy-ass instrumental stoner jams often veering onto the metal tracks of the genre. The three songs on offer on their demo see the band at a remarkably advanced stage of their musicianship with a sound steeped in layers of riffs and technical ability, albeit hidden slightly under weak production. The band themselves call it a taste of things to come, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for us in the future.

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 Forest of Legend

The Sleep influences are heavy with this Virginia three-piece doom power band as heavy smoked engulfed riffs embody the very essence of the group. All these heavy riffs and yelling vocals are evident on their superb demo EP which sees the trio playing thick slabs of doom with Black Sabbath style song-writing amongst the guitar riffs that go straight for the kill. Forest Of Legend have the potential in them to make an incredible record. Watch this space.

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 Like a Mountain, Like a Tiger

Heavy heavy heavy psych from fantastic Pennsylvanian duo Like a Mountain, Like a Tiger! Their recently released EP/1 might just have two tracks on offer, but they showcase a sound from a band on the cusp of greatness. Whether it’s the laid back spaced out instrumental jams of droning psychedelia, or the crushing heavy riffs and very rare distorted vocal samplings that get your heart pounding, this is the band for you. 

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