Album Review: Howling Giant - "Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2"

This!  This.  This is something special.  The attraction was immediate, unstoppable and obviously inspiring as it got me to write my first review of the year and this is September.  People, you need to hear this record.  Howling Giant, the Nashville, Tennessee three piece tickled my fancy with this album and made me write a review.  My fancy so likes their brand of tickle.

As the second release of an expected three EP set, Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2 is an impressive endeavor.  The tones are perfect.  Roger Mark's bass has thicker fuzz than meat left on the counter upon your return from a cruise around the world, best displayed in the song Pioneer.  Tom Polzine's guitar ranges from the massive crunch of a drill rig burrowing to the earth's core in Circle of Druids all the way to a wind chime on a sun bleached porch during the beautiful The Forest Speaks.  The drumming of Zach Wheeler is outstanding throughout, a true joy to hear as he pushes and pulls the tempo with intrepid style and unrepentant dominance.  The addition of the organ/synth work by Drew Harakal is so tastefully done and understated but yet adds so very much to the overall sound of the record.   Polzine, Marks and Wheeler all contribute to the vocal harmonies which wrap up this gift from outer space with a message of ascension against all odds and evils encountered.

Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2 is a journey you have to take, not because it is our job or what is expected from us, but because it is what is right.  The album is a heavy, progressive, quantum theory of groove that will take you through the wormhole with a smile on your face for the entire ride.

Absolutely one of my favorites this year and will, without question, be making my year end list.

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Zac's "Double Dose": Bevar Sea / The Wans

 

Bevar Sea: Bevar Sea

Bangalore, India based quintet Bevar Sea take a no bullshit approach to their classic 70's era inspired stoner-doom-blues. The sound oozes riffs that can only be the genius of a Sabbath love child. There literally is something here for every Heavy Planet reader... you want fuzz? Bevar Sea got some fuzzy riffs. You want soaring and melodic solos? Bevar Sea produce them in abundance. You want songs, no matter the run-time, that just need replayed? Bevar Sea's classic rock foundation keep things catchy (even with each track running over the seven minute mark). The throaty and abrasive vocals accentuate and compliment that 70's doom vibe of the record and add to the overall organic nature of this self-titled effort. There's no auto-tune here folks. Upon first rotation listeners will notice Bevar Sea's influences are blatantly worn on their sleeve. Standing in the shadows, behind Ganesh and company, are Sabbath and Dio... hands on the boys shoulders with a sly grin and nod of approval. The second track Abishtu truly stands out and has become my favorite song. The track has a quiet plucked intro that could have very well found itself on a Pelican record and abruptly slams into a heavily distorted Iommi chord and note structure. Then comes the completely righteous solo, how can this song not be a crowd pleaser? Check it out below with the excellent guitar play-through video... ohh, and if for some reason this doesn't sale you on Bevar Sea, then that fact they have patches should win you over. C'mon you know that old battle vest of yours could use a little updatin'! Get some at bandcamp... LIKE NOW!

 

Members: 

Avinash Ramchander - Bass 

Deepak Raghu - Drums // Designs 

Ganesh Krishnaswamy - Vocals // Lyrics 

Rahul Chacko - Guitars // Art 

Srikanth Panaman - Guitars // Songs

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The Wans: The Wans EP 

It's not easy deciding to write an opinion on a band who immediately became a Heavy Planet darling. I had my work cut out for me knowing I write along side some exceptionally talented wordsmiths, whom were all ready to jump on this promo for The Wans. So without further ado lets get to the band, a Nashville, Tennessee based trio of rockers, and their music, which is heavily focused on radiating the very soul of rock 'n roll across the decades and pin-pointing it to this very moment. The Wans boast a wide range of influences that come together in all its grunge-hybrid glory on this six song, self titled EP. Most notably is the familiar 90's grunge sound, although The Wans take the normally somber and serious lyrical passages and make them "feel good". I guess what I mean is when listening to early 90's rock of the grunge variety there is a serious and emotional tone throughout the music. What The Wans have done is used that familar instrumental appeal and added "feel good" lyrics... mostly about partying, which is what we all need. They have also added plenty of chances for new listeners to shout along with "Hey!'s", "Oh, oh, ohh!'s", and "Yeah!'s" through this record. And while we're singing along lets direct our attention to the vocals here. I'm not exactly sure who's leading this poetic parade but damn does he have some potency behind those pipes. When the notes get high I'm getting a serious Rival Sons / Jay Buchanan impression, which in turn calls back to early heavy blues rock front-men of the 70's and 80's. That being said the instruments are no slouch either. Each instrument seems to have a gravitation pull on one another making for a smooth band chemistry. The guitars have a tinge of that southern tone and have just enough feedback to allow me to call it stoner rock. The EP is just a teaser of what The Wans are capable of, running off at mere twenty six minutes. Right smack dab in the middle is where I found a diamond, and its name is Want You. A subtle intro compliments the bass heavy blues gallop that carries The Wans through this four and a half minute master-piece of groovy lyrics and guitar wwwrrulll. Check it out below and stay peeled for a full length, I sure as hell will be.

Members: 

Mark Petaccia - Vocals // Drums 

Noah Denney - Vocals // Bass 

Simon Kerr - Vocals // Guitar

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Zac's "Double Dose": All Them Witches / Necronomicon

All Them Witches: Our Mother Electricity (Remastered) 

Man, I love the influence the south has had on music. Whether it be blues, jazz, country, or rock something about the soul of the south etches itself in the music and it remains there... eternally. Case in point, my current favorite record Our Mother Electricity (Remastered) by All Them Witches. That southern soul is vibrant in Nashville's All Them Witches and one listen through Our Mother Electricity will make you a believer. The music the band describes as Psychedelta Rock is full of "sweaty beats and dope riffs" and most certainly inspired by "divine energy". The album is also completely dynamic. For instance the first track Heavy/Like A Witch, with its Alice in Chains dual vocalizing, is heavily blues inspired with moments of intense doom and 70's era psychedelics and the very next track The Urn finds an Americana via alt country twang and has lyrical lines that demand to be sung-along. The album continues to travel through fast paced rockers, soulful grooves and slower chill tracks. The final tracks Family Song For The Leaving and Right Hand are smooth, super chilled and full of luscious melody. Family... being an acoustic plucked gem really stands out while Right Hand has more of that Alice in Chains style vocalizing and then there is the sound of fingers sliding along the guitar strings... simply hypnotizing. The remastered edition includes a bonus track with a power-punk punch, some bad attitude and whiskey-stained breath. Seriously, why are you still reading this? Just go get a copy of Our Mother Electricity at bandcamp or Elektrohasch Records... NOW!

 

Members: 

Ben McLeod 

Robby Staebler 

Michael Parks 

Allan Van Cleave 

Jason Staebler

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Necronomicon: The Queen of Death 

The fans of psychedelic doom will rejoice at the triumphant noise resounding from Brazil's Necronomicon. Playing a low-fi style psych-rock in the name of progress, Necronomicon combine a taste of Sabbathian doom with Floyd-esque space rock. The Queen of Death, the trio's second LP, catapults listeners into an intergalactic adventure of a hit-man blood-thirsty for the evil doer known as the Queen of Death. Yes, we have a concept record on hand folks and this multi-talented trio deliver the story subtly. Most of the emphasis and emotion is placed in the albums diverse instrumentation. Necronomicon will please the psych and progressive crowd with the contrasting sounds of an organ, harpsichord and synths against a wall of guitar, bass and drums. The album truly has that 70's vintage feel. I highly suggest this one for fans of Witchcraft, Kadaver and Graveyard. Check out their official video for The Assassin's Song below. The sun bleached and over-exposed film really compliments the trippy track. Want to support Necronomicon? Order a copy of the record at Hydro Phonic Records or Necro-nom-nom-nom-icon on The Queen of Death at bandcamp.

 

Members: 

Lillian Lessa - Guitar 

Pedro Ivo Araujo - Bass // Vocals 

Thiago Alef - Drums 

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Zac's "Double Dose": Bang OK Bang / Whalerider

Bang OK Bang: Chemicals 


Bang OK Bang have created the most intoxicating groove I've heard yet this summer, and all you have to do is push play below to hear it. The song is entitled Above the Surface, available on their debut EP, Chemicals. Although rough around the edges Above the Surface is stellar in songwriting and sludgy exectuion and has this listener hooked. This Nashville, Tennessee duo have combined what they call "dirty noise and bone grinding rhythm" with some southern soul that's sure to please all of the Heavy Planet family. Be sure to get a digital copy for yourself over bandcamp, its free and so far my favorite EP of 2012!

 

Members: 

Abby Hairston - Drums 

Ben Lowry - Guitars // Vocals

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Whalerider: Was it Only a Dream? 


Whalerider is a four-piece from Nürnberg, Germany. Their debut release "Was it Only a Dream?" combines bass heavy and groovy riffs with droning psychedelia. The EP has a somewhat polarizing structure, beginning with a deviously catchy, grunge influenced anthem and slowing fading into a blue abyss of atmosphere and finally to a watery grave. As the record progesses the music takes an introspective look, relying more and more on an airless melancholy... very much resemblant of the world only whales know. And all of this is portrayed in a matter of twenty mintues... Take a dive with Whalerider and "...ease the pain of waiting for a new Soundgarden album". Was it Only a Dream? is currently streaming over at bandcamp, get over there and download your copy today.

 

Members: 

Daniel Schwarz - Drums 

Max Feibel - Vocals // Bass // Drones 

Patrick Auch - Rythm Guitars // Backing Vocals 

Sahba Yadegar - Lead/Rythm Guitars // Art Work

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Ayatollah Gold-New Band To Burn One To

Heavy Planet presents...today's "New Band To Burn One To" Ayatollah Gold!

Bio:

Ayatollah Gold are an experimental rock band formed in 2008 and currently based out of Nashville. Their music deals in complicated arrangements, big riffs, psychedelic assemblage of layers, and exhaustive attention to detail. They've made a name for themselves in Nashville and the Mid-South as an ambitious band with a reliably electric live show.

Telegraphs, the band's full-length debut was released independently on August 12, 2011, supported by the lead single released in advance of the album, the driving, moody "If houses were legs". Telegraphs achieves the promise contained in the Wires EP. An abundance of thoughtful layers, a linear composition style, and a freedom from convention nevertheless anchored by relentlessly rocking guitars, it plays naturally from start to finish, a journey through strange and sometimes threatening landscapes, with periodic outbreaks of sheer catchiness. They've done a whole lot with old-fashioned discipline and hard work, and necessity is the mother of invention, they say. It shows on Telegraphs, an album teeming with invention, and which reflects their highly regarded, energetic live shows. Angular guitars, voodoo drumming, a singer possessed by something you just might want to catch after all, deftly placed improvisations, and a well-rehearsed precision that convinces you there is a method to the madness, are the band's calling card, and they deliver on the record as consistently as on stage.

There is more touring and recording on the horizon as Ayatollah Gold look to 2012.

Thoughts:

"Centered around a rythmic groove, Ayatollah Gold from Nashville, TN spill forth a percussion heavy form of psych/prog rock in the vein of  Mars Volta. Featuring deranged high-pitched vocals, spastic fretwork, gyrating bass lines and an utter madness, the band takes you on an up and down journey on their latest album "Telegraphs". Standouts on the album include opener "Exit Strategies" and the 10:15 sheer epic lunacy of "Jericho the Queen". Oh yeah, and did I mention you can get this all for free! Go download it now on Bandcamp!"

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TROUBLE: Nashville Photos Available

Photos of TROUBLE's July 19, 2008 concert at The End in Nashville, Tennessee can be found at this location (uploaded by Flickr user "jeremiah3").

The group's setlist for the show was reportedly as follows:

01. R.I.P.
02. The Sleeper
03. Come Touch The Sky
04. Plastic Green Head
05. The Eye
06. Endtime
07. Simple Mind Condition
08. Mr. White
09. Trouble Maker
10. 'Scuse Me
11. Goin' Home
12. At The End Of My Daze
13. Psychotic Reaction
14. The Tempter
15. All Is Forgiven