Mini-Review: Green & Wood - Green & Wood

As seen on The Klepto's Guide:

I've recently been on a doom bender; I've been scooping up every doom band within every sub-genre of doom that I could find. I must have added 100 artists to my collection, and probably 200 albums, Green & Wood being one of them. This group is stoner, this group is doom, this group is great. Right from the get-go you know what you're going to get, leading off with "Banquet of Jupiter," a grinding stoner/doom song with a bit of gothic (not full-on mind you) vocals, sounding like a pair of gents singing in an echoy room, It's not too distorted, but it adds an effect that is actually kind of neat. Track two, "Rockin' Real Hard," does exactly what it says; it rocks real hard and the following song, "Heathen Copse," has an opening riff that would make Black Sabbath proud - one of their most doom-oriented songs. Although that is only the first half of the album, you know what you're getting, a Sabbath-tinged, groove-laden rocker with serious jam capabilities. A side note: apparently the lead singer is a professional skateboarder by the name of Ethan Fowler, he and his professional-photographer partner, Magda (never says a last name), play their stoner/doom with a semi-folk vibe, equating themselves to Robin Hood and Maid Marian. Not really important for the album, but kind of a neat side story.

MySpace/Doommantia

Mini-Review: SardoniS - SardoniS

As seen on The Klepto's Guide:

Damn good instrumental metal. SardoniS was sent to me by Reg at Heavy Planet to listen and review. I had actually already owned the album, but I appreciated the thought. That was back in September or October, and I just now listened to their debut album. I was in no rush because of it's instrumental nature and I've never been a huge fan of the genre. Like sludge metal, I think that I am not the ideal person to review instrumental music, just because I am tainted against it from the get-go. But I had just woken up and I wanted something simple to enter the day with so I turned on SardoniS. What followed was anything but simple, SardoniS is one of the most complex and richly sounding instrumental bands I've ever heard. The album transcends genres, all of which sounded at least half-way decent. This is something very difficult to do without the aid of vocals of any kind, and they somehow kept it all fresh throughout the album, something else that is difficult (for me) with instrumental bands. While not all the tracks were winners - it had it's share of ups and downs - it was an easy album to get through, and I didn't find myself wandering away in thought as I do with most bands. I was continuously surprised and entranced with the differences of sound, track to track. This is something to listen to, if you're a fan of instrumental stoner metal or not.

MySpace

Mini-Review: High On Fire - Snakes For The Divine

As seen on The Klepto's Guide:

Another album I really waited too long to listen to (Jesus 10 months...). High On Fire (as I'm sure many of you know) is another godfather of the stoner/doom movement. My personal knowledge of this band is a bit limited; the only experience I have with them is their 2007 release, Death Is This Communion, although I probably haven't heard it since it first came out. So even though I have heard them before, it's been so long that I only have a vague recollection of their sound and style - besides the random songs I have heard over the year (I'm actually listening to "Bastard Samurai" right now, and I not only remember it, it is a kick-ass song) - so my review of Snakes For The Divine is almost as if I am completely new to the band. That's the way I like to review; for the first time/listen. First impression: Fuck yes! This is an amazing band/album! The first track (and title track) begins by punching you in the sonic gonads from the get-go and doesn't stop throughout the record. While "Snakes For The Divine" didn't hold my 'wow' factor for the whole song, every track after that one has been superb. The aforementioned, "Bastard Samurai," is a straight doom rocker, while the following track, "Ghost Neck," picks up the temp and shoves it down your throat. These songs are immediately followed by the instrumental "The Path" which does a great job of acting as a pallet cleanser for your ears, before juicing it all back up for the rest of the album. Seriously this is some good shit. To me, this album should be taking the place of Electric Wizard on everyones Best of 2010 list. Same genre and localized style, but Snakes For The Divine offers so much more!

Official/MySpace

Album Review: Stone Axe I & II

As seen on The Klepto's Guide:

I first found Stone Axe a while ago (I'm assuming 2009, seeing as that was when their debut album was out) randomly on one of the websites I peruse looking for what's new and amazing. At the time, I couldn't find any info on the band, no album reviews, nothing at all really (which makes me think it was closer to 2008 and the album was unreleased), and so their debut LP got shelved into my ever growing collection of music.
Fast forward to 2010, and I discover their second release, this time with a bit of fanfare and a little about the band out there. But still it wasn't enough for me to get excited and listen to the dual releases, and so it, once again, was shelved. Later that year, I decided to take this website thing seriously and I began listening to new music as fast as I could, and I also began reading more and more websites and fellow bloggers, and I began to notice the name Stone Axe popping up over and over. So, earlier this week, I decided to actually listen to the artist that I have been sitting on for at least two years, give them their time in the sun and the attention everyone seems to think they deserve. Well let me tell you, everyone was right. Stone Axe plays a very strong showing of post-grunge mixed in with retro-rock, but with each album taking it's own view of this description.

Stone Axe - 2009
The band's debut, self-titled, album, starts deep within the vein of stoner blues, but with each song, moves steadily into a more traditional hard rock/stoner sound. It all sounds a bit post-grunge, like Soundgarden with a bit more groove, especially within the vocals. The album has some moments when it sounds like Thin Lizzy throughout, especially during the semi-folksy song "The Skylah Rae." This album seems to be where the act is getting it's feet wet, they are expanding their sound and style, experimenting with what they can do.

Stone Axe II - 2010
The first song off their newest album seamlessly moves directly from the sounds of the previous - you wouldn't know it was a different album just from listening to it. Stone Axe II seems a bit more in the classic rock zone, moving into something more akin to AC/DC, but still keeping the touches of Soundgarden and - depending on the person singing - still sounds strangely like Thin Lizzy (the song "Those Were the Golden Years" more then any other). This album is more varied then the original, but still grounded in the stoner/retro-rock feel of its predecessor. I found myself bobbing my head and grooving right along with the music - it was really easy to write articles (I wrote three within the span of these two albums) with this music playing. The chillness of it all did wonders for the creative process.

Well there you have it, yet another band that I wish I had taken a bit of time, all those years ago, to sit down and listen to some great rock. While Stone Axe II wouldn't have been a true contender for my 'Best of 2010' list (it just didn't pop like the ones on the list did) it still would have been a great addition to the year's music collection.

MySpace/Official

Mini-Review: Electric Wizard - Black Masses

As seen on The Klepto's Guide:

Down and dirty stoner/doom metal, the way it should be. Now I've never been a huge Electric Wizard fan, the couple of albums I have heard haven't impressed me too much, but Black Masses is something different. The only other releases I have heard from the group are their self-titled debut, and their EP/single Chrono.naut, and while I found Electric Wizard (album) to be alright, I did not like Chrono.naut, and I guess I've never really gone back to give them another shot. I think now I may have to now. Anyway, Black Masses has made it on every person's (just about) Top of 2010 list, and although I don't see that being a case for me (who knows, I haven't finished the album completely yet), it mill definitely be an Honorable Mention of some kind. While the music is great - it is doom metal with constantly fuzz-driven guitars - the songs themselves tend to become  very difficult to distinguish one from the other. The first four songs of the album all sound pretty damn similar, and if there wasn't a slight quiet bit between the songs I would have no clue where one begins and another ends. The fifth track "Satyr IX" was the first songs to mix it up; so sound like something different, which then when it returned to the previous style song, "Turn Off Your Mind," it sounded a bit more fresh. This is a minor gripe, as all of the songs do make me want to crawl into a whole and die (as any good doom metal should), I just like some variety, which is why songs like "Satyr IX" will stand out in my memory. Again a great album, nearly every song on it is something I could rock out to repeatedly. I would just like a little more variance (even a little change is doom is noticeable) in the song styles. Once the new year starts I'll have some free time to go back and listen to all of the great acts I have missed, Electric Wizard will be one of them.

Official/MySpace/Metal-Archives

Mini-Review: Cathedral - The Guessing Game

As seen on The Klepto's Guide:

Ok now, this one was an oddity. The only things from Cathedral I have heard has been their first two or three albums, back when they were truly doom. Somewhere around their third album, The Carnival Bizarre, they changed styles into something else. I haven't heard past that change, having liked their doom style, and with no interest in the new, but after a decade and a half, I figure it's time to give it another try. The first thing I have to get across is that The Guessing Game comes off as two different albums, with styles to match. After listening to the album I realized it is a double disc release and that makes sense really, with the great range of styles heard here. The majority of the first disc is not doom, not stoner, not really classifiable. It is almost a simplistic, folky, heavy metal record. On almost every song it sounds like the singer is just talking the lyrics in a rhyming fashion; the music song to song is very disjointed, and the songs themselves are mixes of empty sounding music with vocals over-top or eclectic acoustic guitar and bass segments. If it was only this one album as a release I would have been very disappointed, with the songs (besides a handful) not really being what I would call 'musical.' Some of the songs are ok; "Painting in the Dark," and "Death of an Anarchist" are both listenable (if a bit long), with the song "Cats, Incense, Candles and Wine" being the stand-out. The interesting thing is, that as the release switches albums, so does the style of song. It goes from this almost-unexplainable rock into something more akin to classic Cathedral - doom. The second disc is almost entirely doom, with the occasional quick rocker thrown in for good measure. This is the disc you need to hear; most of the songs being damn good. As I said above, when I listened to The Guessing Game I did not originally know that there were two discs, and I was puzzled with this sudden shift. With the inclusion of a second 'story' (if you will), the full picture is easier to take in. While I wouldn't call this new album from the legendary Cathedral really great, it does hold some interesting points. I would suggest picking it up solely for the second disc, but you will need to hear the first - at least once - to understand what I mean; and honestly to hear something that treads the line between good and strange.

Official/MySpace/Metal-Archives

Album Review: The Might Could - The Might Could

As seen on The Klepto's Guide:

Whenever a great band breaks up, the members splinter off and create a plethora of really good follow-ups. Some of these off-shoots aren't as good as the original, others are par with it, and some exemplify the musicianship of the members of the original sound. The day that Alabama Thunderpussy broke up (about a month after I discovered them) was a sad day for stoner metal fans the world over. Sense then we've all been waiting, and wanting to hear what new project would be summoned from that corpse. A group with that much skill and potential could never go quietly into the night, there had to be more. That being said; from the ashes of Alabama Thunderpussy I present: The Might Could!

The Might Could's debut, self-titled, LP continues the general themes of Alabama Thunderpussy's music, it's gritty southern stoner, with a bit of gabled vocals - which took a bit for me to get used to - more akin to Fulton Hill then Open Fire. The songs are all groove-laden, heavily doom-influenced, and are guaranteed to melt your face. Of course amongst all this there is still a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor, especially in the song titles "The Night They Shoot Ol' Dixie Down," an obvious play off of The Band's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," and the following "I Don't Even Like Pantera Anymore," I'd like to say there is a story about Pantera in there somewhere, but it's one of their more screamy songs, and they only lyrics I can make out are the title line in the chorus.
But the songs aren't all sludge-tinged stoner doom, there are some slower, more thought out songs. "When The Spirits Take Control" is a bluesy-jam track, with clean vocals and a soul. It stands out from the record as being so different, and quite honestly it is my favorite of the album. It is most akin to Alabama Thunderpussy's final album, Open Fire, and because that one was my favorite from the group, any song that The Might Could would record in that style will immediately be favored over the rest. It just follows my tastes well.

I have to admit that it did take me a few tracks to get into the swing of things with The Might Could, but once I did, this album really began to run for me. The songs are all pretty damn good, especially the second-half of the disc (I may have to re-listen to the first-half, now that I am used to the style). They do a version of down-and-dirty southern stoner that you don't hear without heavy sludge influence as well. With their debut album, the hints of sludge are there, but they aren't running rampant and overpowering the rest of the release. It's a tasteful mix of styles and genres that I think more bands should take into consideration. I really enjoyed hearing what The Might Could had to offer, and I will pick up their second release as soon as I am able, mark my words.
Official/MySpace

Album Review: Under The Sun - Man of Sorrow

As seen on The Klepto's Guide:

A doom supergroup, with members from Pentagram, Cathedral, and Place of Skulls, Under The Sun has been mostly skipped over by the reviewing community (at least the sites I check out). This seems a shame, that men of such renown fly under the radar as long as they have. I plan to do my part to rectify this - what little influence I have over the internet - so read, listen, and enjoy listening to a modern-day supergroup that would make any doom fan blush: Under The Sun.


Man of Sorrow opens with an amazing track; "Stride" begins as a slow, trudging doom song - completely instrumental - then after a few minutes it begins to fade out, which makes you think a new song is about to begin. Just then the song volume and tempo ramps up into some of the best groove-oriented stoner/doom that I have heard in a while. And after they play their fill, say their piece (oh yea there are vocals in this part), they return to the original melody and theme, of soul-crushing doom. This is how you are greeted to Under The Sun, and it sums up the album perfectly. This is a group well-versed in the arts of both doom and stoner, and they are not afraid to show you ass-hats how to rock.
I wish I could say this feeling was kept up through the entire album; the songs that are good are great, but then the album is also filled with dull tracks, that really take away from the rest of the disc. "Stride," "Bruised," "Joy," and "Forgiveness" are all amazing, blending mostly instrumental doom with bits of juiced-up stoner levity and excitement, before crashing down back to doom. The rest of the album is very ho-hum, either the songs are too short to follow the usual path of build-up and die-down, or they are just too repetitive to fully enjoy. Don't even get me started on the last track, the title-track, it is over seven minutes, but for the first three or four it's filled with a dull droning guitar/bass lick with a spoken word track over top, eventually it gets to actual music, but by then I was checked out of the album. A really shitty way to end any album, let alone this one.


Under The Sun is an interesting band, whose members have an interesting history. These are the grand-daddies of doom, coming together to bring back a resurgence to the genre. Some songs on Man of Sorrow hit their mark, while others fall a bit short - and one is way off target - but it's the beginning of something new, and I hope something great. The group shows promise, bringing together some of the best stoner/doom of my short life, but I think it takes too much from the experimenting tendencies of Cathedral, something I've never really been on board with.

MySpace

Mini-Review: Wino - Adrift

As seen on The Klepto's Guide:

Simply amazing. Best way to describe the legendary Wino's second solo release, as it has become one of my favorites for all year. It's a far change from what the master of all thing doom has ever previously released, coming off as more classic rock than doom or heavy metal. Adrift is a mostly acoustic album, with only the occasional electric guitar solo stopping it from being fully acoustic. These songs are not really metal, and the disc comes off with a very classic rock (circa-1975) feel. Think some good ol' Deep Purple or perhaps some Zeppelin to get what I mean. There are a couple of covers thrown in (Motorhead and Savoy Brown), something I was not expecting, but for the most part it is Wino at his core. I love his gruff voice, his abrupt singing style, and of course his amazing guitar-work. It's amazing what the man can do with an acoustic guitar, usually not something that one would expect to hear truly amazing work from, but Wino delivers! This album is another that I wish I hadn't waited so long in hearing, and it makes me want to go back through this amazing musician's history and re-listen (or listen for the first time) to his entire discography. It is that good.

MySpace

Mini-Review: Wall of Sleep - When Mountains Roar

As seen on The Klepto's Guide:

I have heard nothing of Wall of Sleep before, and I know nothing of them, aside that they are a stoner/doom act. This is a tale of my virgin ears to Wall of Sleep, and what they determine the group to be.
I am/was very surprised by When Mountains Roar. I have been listening to so much stoner/doom that I have been getting sick of the genre. I really was in no hurry to hear Wall of Sleep, but now I am in a hurry to hear the rest of their catalog! The album is not stoner by any means, and even the doom is stretched a bit. It's like a classic rock band decided to add the plodding sound of doom to their latest record - a pleasant surprise after so many acts that sounded the same. This album really reminded me of the straight-forward era of metal from the 70s or 80s. It a little reminiscent of NWOBHM American bands that were from this time, but not in the power metal-esq vibe. Power doom metal I guess would be the best way to describe it. I know, I know, I'm doing another crappy job at describing the sound of the act, but cut me some slack; I'm at work, tired and hung-over. You're all lucky you're getting anything from me today, so enjoy what you read and move on.

MySpace

Mini-Review: Bongripper - Satan Worshiping Doom

As seen on The Klepto's Guide:

Another group, in the long line, that I probably am not the best person to review their album. Bongripper is an instrumental sludge band (I don't know how you can really call it sludge without any lyrics, but whatever), who falls into the same problems as most instrumental acts: dull songs. For Satan Worshiping Doom, the group decided to only include four tracks for a fifty-three minute album; so as you can guess the songs are long. This is actually a step up from their norm, with every previous album aside one (Hippie Killer) being one, hour-plus, song - sometimes broken up into several parts, sometimes not. So I guess I really shouldn't complain about the song length, but honestly I don't know how (without drugs) people can listen to the same droning sound or melody repeatedly for almost fifteen minutes (this goes for anything atmospheric or drone-doom as well). Satan Worshiping Doom appeared on several people's 'Best of' lists and I guess if you're a fan of the genre I could see why, but it wouldn't make the top 50 for me. I mean the music is decent, and as always there are good segments, but I can barely stand to listen to it all through once, let alone repeatedly over a year. As I said, I'm not the best review of music like this, because I am not a fan of the genre (imagine me reviewing death metal - ugh), but every now and then an instrumental group stands out (Sahara Surfers), and for that reason along, I search amongst the records.
[EDIT]: Ok, I wrote the above and then I actually finished the album. I have to say, it grew on me. Once I stopped trying to listen to it, and let it float to the back of my mind, it began to become enjoyable. I'm still not saying it's an instant classic or anywhere close to top 10, but my first impressions may have been a bit off base.

Official/MySpace/BandCamp

Mini-Review: Agalloch - Marrow of The Spirit

As seen on The Klepto's Guide:

I've got a lot of quick reviews that I've done in the past month, and because they were in groups of five and some of the five weren't suitable for Heavy Planet, I've neglected to post them here. Now that I have some time, I am going to be writing this wrong and banging out a bunch of short album reviews of some past albums.

Hauntingly beautiful meets downright dark. Agalloch has always been a mystery to me. I love them, but they are unlike 99.9% of the other music I hear. I don't much care for black metal, the only groups I listen to being the 'classic' black (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond and Celtic Frost (in certain parts)), but for some reason Agalloch breaks through these barriers. I think it's because I see them more as folk metal, then true black metal. Their albums cross several genres, black, folk, progressive, symphonic, and post-metal have all been attributed to the group. It all fits. Marrow of The Spirit continues on the group's previous style; the songs are mixed with haunting beautiful strings and pianos, ear-shattering thrash, and wailing vocals. It's an experience that is difficult to accurately describe, it is something you will just have to try for yourself. The vocals don't take the main focus of the record, and I think that is another reason why I like Agalloch; they seem to be - at times - another instrument, adding to the layer of sound. The songs are all long, multi-layered and part pieces, with almost everyone changing styles throughout. It's hard to choose favorite tracks, as the songs sometimes fall onto the sword of most long songs; they have good segments, and some not-so-good segments, and while Marrow of The Spirit doesn't have this dragging effect too much, it is still there, taking away from the whole sound. This effect is seen more on the later songs, "Ghosts of the Midwinter Fires" and the final, "To Drown," with the last song, being an instrumental, effected the most. Other then this, there is no complaint. I love this group, and they fall way outside my normal comfort zone - but I always say every genre has a few good bands - and sometimes you need something like that. Go out, get Agalloch, all of the albums, and feel the experience of the group.

MySpace/Metal-Archives/Facebook

Album Review: Slugstain - Demo 2010

As also seen on The Klepto's Guide:

I'm trying to finish up all the pending articles of 2010 I have stashed away somewhere, and so expect several posts dedicated to last year. The first one being the band Slugstain.

Sent over from Heavy Planet, I think I was hesitant listening to Slugstain initially because their only release so far is their Demo. As a rule, I don't like demos; often times they are of bad recording quality and/or the songs change drastically from demo to debut LP, and in some extreme cases the band's style itself shifts, so you may not even recognize the band come their next release.

Excuses aside, once I did actually sit down and listen to Slugstain's Demo, I enjoyed was I was shown. The group plays a doomy blend of stoner metal, with rough vocals (not sludge), and what honestly sounds a bit of British influence - maybe I'm reading too much into that one. Although you could never confuse this group with thrash, two of the songs, tracks 1 ("Bringer of Night") and 3 ("Urban Hermit"), sound a bit like Megadeth, circa Countdown To Extinction era. There is just the bit of edge there, and the grinding fuzz guitars vaguely remind me of "Symphony of Destruction," again, maybe that is just me.

Regardless, I am impressed with what Slugstain has to offer, and I know when they do get their debut LP recorded and released, I won't be slow with my listen and my review. It is great stoner metal with a splash of doom, that really anyone could enjoy.

MySpace

Album Review: Horn of The Rhino - Weight Of Coronation

As also seen on The Klepto's Guide:

For a band that's labeled as a thrash doom metal on The Metal Archives, I really can't say I heard much thrash at all. Horn of the Rhino is a pretty solid doom band, and although I was surprised to see them forming, getting signed and releasing a full-length album all in 2010, I then realized that it is the band Rhino, just under a new name (for legal reasons it says). Oh well, Rhino is new to me too, so it's all kosher.
I'm not going to lie, what drew me to this album was the artwork. Something about a pregnant skull-faced woman speaks to me. Maybe I'm deranged or secretly a serial killer, but bitchin' artwork is bitchin' artwork. Just like the Infectious Grooves and The Beards enticed me with a name, Weight Of Coronation drew me in from the picture on the cover. It's also how I shop for books, and it hasn't let me down yet (take that you naysayers!).
Anyway, Horn of The Rhino is a decent doom band, with a tiny bit of fuzz that would be prevalent in a stoner band - but we are not calling this one stoner. Weight Of Coronation is their 1st/3rd (depending how you look at it) release and it's pretty damn enjoyable. There is a little for everyone here, some soul-crushing doomy depression, some pumped-up faster bits (I assume that this is the thrash that The Metal Archives was talking about, but I wouldn't call it that per se), and a bit of growl for the sludge fans out there. What is good about the album is that although it touches upon all of these styles and sounds, it doesn't dive too deep into any single one. This is also one of the weak points of the album, because it does switch around, it doesn't really take enough time (sometimes) to fully envelop the listener. Their main stand-out is also their main crutch. Horn of The Rhino walks a fine line.

I don't have much more to say about Horn of the Rhino or their album Weight Of Coronation that hasn't been said. It's decent doom metal, but it's not great. They dance around different sub-genres and styles, but never letting any of them evolve into what it could be. I'm not in a real rush to hear Rhino's other albums, but at the same time I won't shy away from them, they are just a band that is good for a listen, but not something I'm ever going to love. Facts are facts.

MySpace

Album Review: The 1-10's - Fighting for a Golden Age

As also seen on The Klepto's Guide:

Another day, another new band to the scene. I know almost nothing about The 1-10's and there isn't a lot of info about them on the web, which I blame Google's inability to properly search 'The 1-10's.' The only reliable thing I can find, besides other reviews of their debut album, Fighting for a Golden Age, and the like, is their BandCamp page (where you can buy the LP or get 3 singles for free), so this is what I am going off of. The claim to be compared to "Alice in Chains, Wolfmother, and Queens of the Stone Age," and being "labeled as an 'angrier Mumford and Sons,'" whatever that means. Honestly their description does nothing to describe the act's sound, and honestly, I'm not sure if I could do any better.

You see, based solely on the music, the group is an interesting blending of numerous styles and influences. Although clearly in the stoner bracket, there is a southern rock feel throughout, with some sections breaking more into blues and even a bit punky at times. "Run From Your Master" is a straight-forward stoner rocker, "Bad Day" is all blues rock, while "Eye for an Eye" sounds more like it should be coming from an alternative folk band then anything claiming to be metal. With this cacophony of sound and style there is a continual thought that occupies my head; the singer from The 1-10's sounds like the singer from The Black Crowes has joined a stoner rock band. I keep waiting for them to break out into a punk-version of "Hard To Handle." It's weird, I know, but I can't shake the feeling within every song that is played.

Taken by itself, each song is pretty good, and I could really see some sort of re-playability with them, but if you focus on the big picture, Fighting for a Golden Age is just a little bit too scattered for my tastes. I'm sure they would be sweet to see live (they claim so anyway), but I would only see them as an opening act (or if the tickets were dirt cheap), not as the headliner. I just can't imagine too much time spent on this act.

Bandcamp

Album Review: Black Spiders - Sons of The North

As also seen on The Klepto's Guide:

After the impressive showing of the three previous releases (all EPs) by Black Spiders I knew that their debut LP was going to be something special - boy was I right. Where the EPs, St. Peter, Cinco Hombres (Diez Cojones), and No Goats In The Omen, all set the stage for the band's style and skill, Sons of The North framed it all and put it up to hang in a museum.
Two of the songs, "St. Peter" and "Just Like A Woman,"  were previously released, but these are some of the strongest songs of the album, so I can see why they would choose to put them on Sons of The North. While this was my first time hearing the record I found myself humming the tune to "St. Peter" to myself as I lay in bed. Even now, a solid 24 hours later, I can still vaguely make out some of the lyrics - in my world of music immersion, that is some staying power! I have all year, but I am in a rush to hear some of these tracks again.

You can tell that this group is British, as there are some hidden reminiscent of the British Invasion that can be squeezed out of the sound. It's another thing that's hard to explain, but it had that edge of British garage rock that was very prevalent in the 70s. This is not a complaint at all, actually I think it adds to the overall sound of the group and their music, paying a homage to your homeland (no matter how slight) is something of importance to me. Plus being half-British, I like seeing my countrymen making something of a stand for themselves. Also, the singer reminds me a bit of Priestess; I can't tell if it's his actual vocals or just how he sound or if it's style of delivery, but there was more than one time that the idea popped into my head. Something worth noting.

I'm telling you, Sons of The North is joining The Grand Astoria's new album as a favorite of the year. So far I've had nothing but stellar music pop up and I hope the trend continues. Besides a bit of lagging sound at the end of the album, this release is straight and dirty stoner rock 'n roll all the way. Something to look forward to by anyone who is a fan of the genre, British garage rock, or just jamming tunes. I for one can not wait for the next release by Black Spiders, but until then I know Sons of The North will be getting a heavy rotation on my sound system, and I suggest the same for you.

MySpace/Official/Facebook

Album Review: The Grand Astoria - Omnipresence (With Free Download)

As also seen on The Klepto's Guide:

The folks of the stoner/doom rocking band The Grand Astoria have been kind enough to send me a copy of their band new album, Omnipresence, launching today. And while The Soda Shop beat me to it, you came to hear what The Klepto has to say, and I will not let you down, so here it goes.

Now that I've heard their first two albums, I'm a little better versed in this group, and my first impressions of the album is that this is a bit of a different record. It's got more varied sounds and influences, many of which are much blatantly mixed into the music. The first track, "Doomsday Party," is a rock 'n roller, closer to something The Atomic Bitchwax would release, while the next song. "Hungry & Foolish," is a grooving straight-forward stoner song. The third song, "Mania Grandiosa," sounds straight off of a Black Sabbath album, think "Jack the Stripper/Fairies Wear Boots" off of Paranoid and you would have a perfect idea of the sound of the song (mostly in the beginning and with the vocals throughout, but you get the idea). Then the next song, the instrumental "Omni-absence," is a return to the previously known style of the band. The rest of Omnipresence jumps around all of these styles until track 7, "The Song of Hope," which is downright funk, fucking weird. The album is all over, but it works, it really works. It's the right measure of eclecticness and bitchin' music that makes it sound amazing.

I think the change in the style of naming their albums helps one to visualize this change in sound. With their first two albums being self-titled, you can sort of know what to expect. You liked The Grand Astoria (album)? Then you're going to love The Grand Astoria II. With naming their third album something different, I think they are subconsciously letting their changes in style be known, however slight. Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but this is why I make the big bucks.

Anyway, I know the year just started (a whopping 12 hours ago), but Omnipresence is already a solid contender for the 'Best of 2011.' It's eccentric mix of styles throughout the album keep it fresh for the entire hour (almost). Obviously I'll have to give it another listen or four before next December, but this is a great way to start the year off.

MySpace/FaceBook

And yes, I did say "Free Download" in the banner! These amazing Russian musicians have decided to distribute their album for 100% free across the web! I was emailed directly from Камиль Шараподинов (he(??) says his name is Kamille, so you translate the rest for me) and given the download code and instructed to distribute it to the masses. So this is for you folks!

DOWNLOAD - Sendspace

DOWNLOAD - MediaFire

The Klepto's Top 20 of 2010

These are in no order, except alphabetical. Top 5 in bold.
See the full list and mini-reviews/comments of each at The Klepto's Guide

The List
Airbourne - No Guts. No Glory. 
Amplifier - The Octopus
Barn Burner - Bangers (See Review)
Crippled Black Phoenix - I, Vigilante
Dax Riggs - Say Goodnight To The World
Fireball Ministry - Fireball Ministry (See Review)
Grand Magus - Hammer of The North
High On Fire - Snakes For The Divine
Holy Grail - Crisis In Utopia (See Review)
Jorn - Dio
Monster Magnet - Mastermind (See Review)
The Ocean - Heliocentric (See Review)
Quest For Fire - Lights From Paradise
Rocketchief - Rise of The Machine
Samsara Blues Experiment - Long Distance Trip (See Review)
sHEAVY - Disfigurine
The Soulbreaker Company - Itaca
Stonebride - Summon The Waves
Titan - Sweet Dreams (See Review)
Wino - Adrift

Honorable Mentions
Agalloch - Marrow of The Spirit
Electric Wizard - Black Masses
Jefferson Colby - Octopus 
Ice Dragon - The Burl, The Earth, The Aether
Sahara Surfer - Spacetrip On A Paper Plane   
 

CD Review: Ufomammut - Eve

As seen on The Klepto's Guide:

Ok, I am now just getting the message that countless others before me have realized: Ufomammut is awesome! Their style of doom is a great rendition of the genre. Slow and menacing, heavy but minimal, with long songs (well, song) and few words, Eve is a powerhouse of an album.

Eve is the only album I have heard by Ufomammut so far, so while their Wikipedia page has them listed as 'experimental,' I only know them as doom, and perhaps a bit sludge, but only in the rare section. Eve is a massive tale; one almost 45-minute song, split (on some versions) into six sections/tracks, with each part bringing it's own little flourishes to the song. Because of the complexities in reviewing an album of this caliber (it is almost impossible to tell where one section ends and another begins), I cannot really give a decent - or long - review. Just know that Eve is an excellent display of new doom, with a splash of stoner, sludge, and psychedelia thrown in for flavor. There is supposedly a message in there somewhere, and I missed it, but it really doesn't matter. The music carries on where the lyrics fall short. I really want to hear more from Ufomammut, and because I have all of their discography (five more albums), I can have that chance.

...but not until the new year.

Official/MySpace/>Facebook

CD Review: The Ocean - Anthropocentric

As seen on The Klepto's Guide:

After my write-up of the superb Heliocentric, I was expecting something sonically akin to it with The Ocean's next release with mixed success. Anthropocentric, the second full-length release by the band, follows it's predecessor... sort of. While Heliocentric was a venture into the unknown, merging sounds and thoughts together in creative ways, Anthropocentric is more angry sounding, focusing more on the NWOAHM influences then anything else. While they do try to mix in songs into the mix, most notably "The Grand Inquisitor III: A Tiny Grain of Faith" which is beautifully haunting, they are just few and far between. While the album is still good - a really good collection of head-banging material - it isn't what I wanted following the wet-dream that is Heliocentric.
By no means is this a bad album, I find myself jamming out to several of the songs, with no 'bad' songs to speak of, just a mix of 'good' and 'ok.' It's just missing the flare of the previous release. I'm sure if I had heard the albums in reverse order I would think it was a build up to greatness. But as it stands, the group hit it's peak, and are now on the way down the other side. Still high above the clouds of mediocrity, but no longer at the peak of awesomeness.
Another quick article about a band I apparently don't know enough about. I'm going to give the rest of their discography a listen through, to better understand the group. Although from what I've read, the previous works sound more like the quintessential post-metal of which I am not a huge fan.

Website/MySpace