ALBUM REVIEW: King Buzzo with Trevor Dunn, "Gift of Sacrifice"

By: Peter Morsellino

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 14/08/2020

Label: Ipecac Recordings

“Gift of Sacrifice” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Mental Vomit

2). Housing, Luxury, Energy

3). I’m Glad I Could Help Out

4). Delayed Clarity

5). Junkie Jesus

6). Science in Modern American

7). Bird Animal

8). Mock She

9). Acoustic Junkie

The Review:

Taking a huge creative step from 2014's “This Machine Kills Artists”, Buzz Osbourne's latest work offers some high strangeness to the typically masterful songwriting of his King Buzzo solo releases.  Accompanied by Mr Bungle's bassist extraordinaire, Trevor Dunn, “Gift of Sacrifice” provides a delightfully unique listening experience. 

With Mr Dunn's acoustic bass adding a classy lilt to the King's dark moodiness, “Gift of Sacrifice” is one of the most imaginative albums that I've had the pleasure of listening to all year. From jazzed out jams to strange noise pieces, this album definitely leans more to the freaked out side of things. Wild strings fluctuate across the nine tracks adding to the mystique of the release.

I do have to admit that this one is going to be hit or miss for a lot of people. Upon first listen I just plain wasn't into it. I guess I just wasn't in the mood. But I gave it another go and I'm really glad that I did. In the right frame of mind, this can be an incredible musical journey; you just need to allow yourself to go there. A lot of tracks remind me of Tom Waits' “Mule Variations” album, with dark tones mingling with the jazz melodies to forge a satisfyingly creepy atmosphere. It’s a lot of things and none of them all at once.

My advice for this one would be to really set your mood in advance. Pour yourself a glass of wine, dim the lights and get cozy in your finest lounger. Maybe light a joint and really settle yourself in. Let the music take you for a ride. Let it slide on in to your ear holes and rejoice in the frantic chill that it exudes.  You're going to enjoy this one if you let yourself.

“Gift of Sacrifice” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp  

ALBUM REVIEW: Wino, "Forever Gone"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 26/06/2020

Label: Ripple Music

“Forever Gone” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Forever Gone

2). Taken

3). The Song Is At The Bottom Of The Bottle

4). No Wrong

5). Dark Ravine

6). Dead Yesterday

7). So Fine

8). Crystal Madonna

9). Lavender and Sage

10). Was, Is, and Shall Be

11). Isolation

The Review:

Wino is the rarest of beasts- an elder statesman of a metal genre who is still revered and hasn't faded into irrelevance. It's a testament to his skills as a song writer and his charisma or star quality, if you prefer, that is sadly lacking from the scene these days.

Whether it be his output with The Obsessed (uniformly excellent), Saint Vitus (ditto), Spirit Caravan (ditto), The Hidden Hand (ditto) one off involvements like Shrinebuilder, Place of Skulls and even Probot (again, ditto) Wino is always an engaging aural presence.

We are a decade on from his last acoustic solo album (not counting his records with Conny Ochs) and I listened to “Forever Gone” wondering what type of songs he would present this time. Pleasingly, this feels like a sequel to “Adrift”- Wino has retained the lovelorn and melancholic qualities of that record and they are presented just as starkly here.

Only two tracks feature a full band presentation, the rest are guitar and voice- with some extra instrumentation to compliment the stark arrangements here and there. The title track and the three tracks that follow are wistful and also dark. In fact, it's not until the seventh track, “So Fine” that there are any kind of uplifting vibes to be really heard. A hint at Wino's headspace may be found in the album's powerful closing statement- a cover of Joy Division's “Isolation”. Lyrically, the album is great throughout and Wino's ruminations on the world are worth the price of admission.

If Wino is in a lonely place of dreams where hours turn into years, as “Lavender and Sage” proclaims, then he is gifting us some great music. How many more records there will be we simply cannot know. It's crazy, but Wino started up The Obsessed in 1980. To put this into perspective, Lemmy started Motorhead in 1975, so only five years of activity split the two talismanic frontmen.

You'll certainly wade through dark and murky waters as you listen through this album, but as you might expect, there are hidden depths that are worth investing the time to find here. A natural and worthy successor to “Adrift”, full of sombre reflection and eloquent musings.

“Forever Gone” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

Ricky Warwick - “When Patsy Cline Was Crazy (And Guy Mitchell Sang The Blues) / Hearts On Trees” (Album Review)

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length x2

Date Released: 26/02/2016

Label: Nuclear Blast

Some of the writing is rather tender, some rock out (with a small “r”) but all of it is high quality. If you fancy a change from listening to droning sludge, negative black metal, or you just cannot stop listening to Motorhead after Lemmy's passing then this album could be a welcome relief.  The production is great; superbly played and sung with great melodies and most of all great songs.  Such song writers need your support, so why not try these records out and catch him live with whoever he is playing with. You won't regret it!

“When Patsy Cline Was Crazy (And Guy Mitchell Sang The Blues) / Hearts On Trees”

CD//DD//LP track listing:

01. The Road To Damascus Street (4:13)

02. Celebrating Sinking (4:02)

03. When Patsy Cline Was Crazy (4:24)

04. Toffee Town (3:33)

05. That's Where The Story Ends (3:51)

06. Johnny Ringo's Last Ride (3:34)

07. Gold Along The Cariboo (3:58)

08. Son Of The Wind (3:04)

09. If You're Not Going To Leave Me (3:07)

10. Yesteryear (3:34)

11. Presbyterian Homesick Blues (3:41)

12. Tank McCullough Saturdays (3:45)

13. Psycho (2:51)

14. Hearts On Trees (3:46)

15. Said Samson to Goliath (5:35)

16. Way Too Cold For Snow (3:33)

17. Schwaben Redoubt (3:25)

18. The Year Of Living Dangerously (3:58)

19. Disasters (2:59)

20. 82 (2:47)

The Review:

Not exactly the usual Sludgelord fare.... but this double album release is well worth your attention. Let's be clear: this is not metal. It is not punk. However, Ricky Warwick's links to both of those genres are inextricable. Warwick started his career in New Model Army and then went on to form and have great success with The Almighty (who morphed with the times from G 'n' R to Therapy? to The Clash and so on).

Since 2003, Warwick has been a solo artist of the singer/songwriter variety; think somewhere between Steve Earle and Bruce Springsteen but by way of Belfast and you are in the right ball park. He also fronts Black Star Riders, of course, and has made two storming records with them.

This double album sees Warwick in full on rock mode for ten tracks and then acoustic mode for the latter disc. I prefer the acoustic half, but that is just me. The production is great; superbly played and sung with great melodies and most of all great songs. The nostalgic likes of the electric disc's title track and the acoustic half's “Tank McCullough Saturdays” tap a rich vein of Belfast tales, harking back to the seventies. Warwick co-writes on a few of the tracks here, writes solo on others and does a very mean “Psycho” with no writing input from him. Andy Cairns of Therapy? (another Belfast boy) pops up on “Celebrating Sinking” (great title) while “Johnny Ringo's Last Ride” has tall tales of tough guys in Northern Ireland, also with a string punk styling in the presentation. The likes of the acoustic half's title track “Hearts on Trees” is kind of Irish inflected Americana, while two cranes speak to each other on “Said Samson and Goliath” at the docks.

Some of the writing is rather tender, some rock out (with a small “r”) but all of it is high quality. If you fancy a change from listening to droning sludge, negative black metal, or you just cannot stop listening to Motorhead after Lemmy's passing then this album could be a welcome relief. The two discs come as a pair; Warwick is a prolific and consistent songwriter. I am a huge fan; I still rank “Crank” by The Almighty as one of the best records from my youth (and, well, in general, really) and saw Warwick play to around seven people in Leeds in 2003 at the New Roscoe when he was starting out on the comeback trail. Pleasingly, I last saw him at Sheffield Arena supporting Whitesnake and Def Leppard just before Christmas last year. He is an engaging and charismatic performer in either setting. I can tell you that his live show is superb and he comes across as a down to earth and likeable bloke. Such song writers need your support, so why not try these records out and catch him live with whoever he is playing with. You won't regret it!

“When Patsy Cline Was Crazy and Hearts on Trees” is available now

Band info: rickywarwick

Conny Ochs - "Future Fables" (Album Review)

By: Victor Van Ommen

Album Type: Full-Length

Date Released: 26/02/2016

Label: Exile On Mainstream

This record has the potential to speak to many of us heavy rock fans despite its level of sentiment and sparse use of instrumentation. There’s passion and well-placed emotion that resonates through these songs. They’re deliciously fragile because of it. If that’s your thing; if you can appreciate singers baring their soul with nothing more than an acoustic guitar as accompaniment, then this one’s for you.

“Future Fables” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Hole

2. Piece Of Heaven

3. Killer

4. Spin

5. Wake Up

6. Empire

7. Golden Future

8. Slide

9. No Easy Way

10. Fools

11. Strange Alchemy

12. Make Some Room

The Review:

On “Future Fables,” we have Conny Ochs and his guitar taking a seat next to us on the couch. That’s how close and personal these twelve tracks feel. He has the capability to hush the crowd and demand attention without needing to stomp on a distortion pedal or rip his vocal chords to ribbons. 

There’s nothing psychedelic here and if it’s heavy you’re looking for then you’ll find it in the mood and not the tones. “Piece of Heaven” plays out to a familiar song structure – interchangeable verses and choruses – and uses a full band to do this. “Fools” does the opposite by employing its verses to set the stage for the chorus, and does this successfully with just two guitars and powerful vocals. Ochs’ best qualities come out in “Killer,” a song with finger snapping, light drumming and a bluesy walk around the guitar. Though the song threatens to break out in the chorus, it never does and that’s one of its strengths. “Spin” uses beautiful vocal harmonies to call the listener to “put your hard rock music on,” which hints at Ochs’ underlying influence.

Despite his hard rock soul, these are gentle songs that are soft to the touch and therefore inviting. It’s only once the listener allows himself to be enveloped by Ochs’ voice, lyrics, and overall presence that the melancholy rises to the surface. This puts Ochs firmly into the category “singer-songwriter” but he’s able to stray from the drek that the mainstream pushes our way and thus avoids sounding like a limp dick resting up against your ear. Instead, Ochs flexes his muscles by using his acoustic guitar to tame the beast that is an emotionally wrought songwriter.

This record has the potential to speak to many of us heavy rock fans despite its level of sentiment and sparse use of instrumentation. There’s passion and well-placed emotion that resonates through these songs. They’re deliciously fragile because of it. If that’s your thing; if you can appreciate singers baring their soul with nothing more than an acoustic guitar as accompaniment, then this one’s for you.

“Future Fables” is available here

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

Moonbow - "Volto del Demone" (Album Review)

By: Victor Van Ommen

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 28/08/2015

Label: Independent

Moonbow has stepped away from the comfort of distortion and have turned to a stripped down, semi-acoustic affair that digs deep into the well of emotion.  The word ‘stoner’ can’t be applied to this record, that’s for sure, but keep in mind who is behind this record because the heavy, the loud, and the passion is still here, just presented differently.

‘Volto del Demone’ LP track listing:

1) Devils Floor
2) Take me Home
3) Volto del Demone
4) The Wait
5) Memories Ahead
6) Mission 35
7) One Way to Die
8) Face of the Demon (Featuring Hank 3)

Moonbow is

Matt Bischoff | Vocals
David McElfresh | Guitars, Fiddle, Vocals, Mandolin, Steel Guitar
Ryan McAllister | Bass
Steve Earle | Drums

The Review:

It would make sense to start this off by saying the new Moonbow album comes plowing through like a bull in a china shop. After all, behind the kit sits Steve Earle from Hermano and the bass duties are bestowed upon Ryan McAllister from Valley of the Sun, so a full-fledged record in the red would be a reasonable thing to expect.

But before any more assumptions are made about “Volto del Demone,” Moonbow’s second album, let me lay it on the line; Moonbow has stepped away from the comfort of distortion and have turned to a stripped down, semi-acoustic affair that digs deep into the well of emotion. With the addition of a fiddle to the fold and a guest spot for Hank III on “Face the Demon,” it would even be tempting to say that Moonbow has gone country. And though there are certainly country elements here, like how the pluck-strum rhythm of the title track owes its inspiration to the outlaws of the west, this isn’t straight up country, it’s more than that.

The word ‘stoner’ can’t be applied to this record, that’s for sure, but keep in mind who is behind this record because the heavy, the loud, and the passion is still here, just presented differently.

 ‘Volto del Demone’ is available here

Band info: facebook | bandcamp



Steve Von Till - 'A Life Unto Itself' (Album Review)

By: Chris Bull

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 12/05/2015

Label: Neurot Recordings

‘This album is about discovery. This album is both darkness and light. This album is a spirit animal that accompanies you on your own journey into your psyche. Album of the year may be an understatement; it could be an overstatement, whatever it is to you, to me, I have found God. His name is Steve Von Till.’

‘A Life Unto Itself’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. In Your Wings
2. A Life Unto Itself
3. A Language Of Blood
4. Night Of The Moon
5. Birch Bark Box
6. Chasing Ghosts
7. Known But Not Named

The Review:

'A Life Unto Itself' is the latest solo offering from Neurosis vocalist/guitarist and demigod Steve Von Till. This is a slightly more ethereal album than some of his other work but this is Steve Von fucking Till, he can rarely do wrong!

'In Your Wings' welcomes us in with its hypnotic ambience and simple guitar picking and Steve's voice, accompanied by some reverb, sets the tone for what is to come.  The title track, undoubtedly influenced by Townes Van Zandt with its lap steel overtones and occasional subtle overdriven guitar is simply beautiful. Steve's weighty voice carries the track and all the elements compliment each other to create a musical awakening.

Fans of Steve's previous solo offerings may notice the slight change stylistically; while the "one man, six strings" approach of 2008's 'A Grave Is A Grim Horse' album is still the back bone, 'A Life Unto Itself' expands with nods towards Americana and psychedelia with its use of varied textures provided by effects pedals and synths as documented on 'A Language Of Blood' with it's swirling, delayed guitars and slow building organ and my personal favourite 'Night Of The Moon' which starts with an intro strikingly familiar to fans of The Who (or CSI Miami). Steve's raspy yet ethereal vocals resonating and the subtle overdriven guitar sound carry the track to territories normally reserved for Neurosis albums.

'Birch Bark Box' and it's melancholic guitar and vocal pattern could be from a Johnny Cash tribute album and 'Chasing Ghosts' with its synth swirls and dreamy piano conjures up images of dilapidated log cabins and abandoned farm houses observed through old photographs. Final track 'Known But Not Named' finds Steve as a shaman performing a cleansing ritual after your journey through the spirit world. It's a brilliant closer, epic and haunting melodies, soulful yet earthy vocals and an air of spirituality that no one other than Mr Von Till himself can exude.

This album is about discovery. This album is both darkness and light. This album is a spirit animal that accompanies you on your own journey into your psyche. Album of the year may be an understatement; it could be an overstatement, whatever it is to you, to me, I have found God. His name is Steve Von Till.

‘A Life Unto Itself’ is available here

Artist info: Official | Facebook

Wino & Conny Ochs - 'Freedom Conspiracy' (Album Review)

Album Type: Full-Length

Date Released: 27/3/2015

Label: Exile on Mainstream

Freedom Conspiracy CD//DD//LP track listing:

01 Drain
02 Sound Of Blue
03 Foundation Chaos
04 Crystal Madonna
05 Shards
06 Time Out Black Out
07 Timeless Spirit
08 Freedom Conspiracy
09 Dirt Floor
10 Heavy Heart
11 Forever Gone
12 Invisible Bullets
13 The Great Destroyer

Review

The partnership between Wino and German singer songwriter Conny Ochs has proved fruitful indeed. With “Heavy Kingdom” a couple of years ago, the duo fused their own styles together. This follow up is an even more confident beast. ‘Drain’ hits the right notes with its melancholy and hooks and even a percussion overdub. ‘Sound of Blue’ is not exactly as you would expect it to sound- wistful, yes, but not entirely desperate or without hope. Lovely guitar interplay on this one and Wino sings well as usual, capably backed by Ochs.

‘Foundation Chaos’ is different again; it boasts nimble double tracking regarding the vocals and weaved guitars. ‘Crystal Madonna’ has an almost familiar guitar refrain- sounding very much like something from Wino's excellent “Adrift” record from a few years back. There are some excellent lyrics here too (story telling and more abstract imagery).

‘Shards’ has a bluesy start, what with its slide guitar, but Ochs takes a melancholy lead vocal that takes the track down a more doleful path than the intro indicates. It is a finely crafted track and highlights the song writing that has gone into this record- stripped of volume and production, the songs have to stand up in the format they are presented. Fortunately, they do and do so admirably. Yes, there is light and shade to the production (electric guitar here, percussion there...) but really, the music does the talking.

‘Time Out Blackout’ is another Ochs showcase, while ‘Timeless Spirit’ is catchy and mellow. The title track has Wino taking the lead and a memorable main riff pressing the refrain into your ear. ‘Dirt Floor’ is almost gospel in its delivery and over the course of its 2mins 22secs is thoroughly charming.

‘Heavy Heart’ goes for a full band arrangement (bass drums, the lot) and adds some further colour. ‘Forever Gone’ is maudlin and effective before Ochs returns to centre stage for ‘Invisible Bullets’. ‘The Great Destroyer’ finishes off this sophomore collaboration with a confident display of song writing and vocal and guitar support.

Overall, I enjoyed this record even more than the debut from this pair of troubadours. I think that it may be a song or two too long, but it is a fine record, filled with light and dark and even some surprises. If you are a fan of either man's work its essential listening.

Words by: Richard Maw

‘Freedom Consipracy’ is available here

For more information:

http://www.mainstreamrecords.de/artists/wino-and-conny-ochs | https://www.facebook.com/ScottWeinrich | https://twitter.com/scottweinrich

https://soundcloud.com/earsplit/sets/wino-conny-ochs-freedom | http://www.connyochs.com/cms/website.php?id=/index.htm

The Sludgelord News: STEVE VON TILL Reveals The Title Track From His New Solo Album, A Life Unto Itself, Set For North American Release Via Neurot Recordings

[photo by Niela Von Till]

Following recent announcements of a new record from Neurosis front man STEVE VON TILL's titled, ‘A Life Unto Itself’ and his first since 2008’s ‘A Grave Is a Grim Horse’, today The Quietus, have unveiled the title track unto the world and you can listen at THIS LOCATION.

‘A Life Unto Itself’ will be STEVE VON TILL’s fourth solo album to date, with his  impassioned and weather beaten vocal and sparse acoustic guitar providing the  foundation to his solo material, however on this new record it is said to demonstrate and impart a wider variety of sonic textures. 

STEVE VON TILL has been ably assisted by viola master Eyvind Kang, who has previously worked with Mr. Bungle and Secret Chiefs 3, pedal steel wizard J. Kardong and percussionist Pat Schowe.  Engineering and production were handled by Randall Dunn, with whom he recorded and mixed the album at Avast! Recording Co. in Seattle.

Steve Von Till offered this insight into the record "When you make a big life decision and then you hear a raven's call out in the sky, it wasn't chance-it was an affirmation, it was meant for you, even if that might seem ridiculous in a conventional sense," VON TILL offers by way of example. "When you hear a melody and it takes you back a thousand years to a memory you're not even sure you were a part of. When folklore and history become ways of how you see the world, it allows things to become more mystical and take on deeper meaning. When you're walking through ordinary, mundane situations, you have this frame of reference that takes on great personal significance beyond surviving the day-to-day: It's surviving the day-to-day with meaning."

The album's track listing and cover artwork by Aaron Turner have also been released.  More information about the record will be available over the forthcoming weeks. 

‘A Life Unto Itself’ Ttrack Listing:

1. In Your Wings

2. A Life Unto Itself

3. A Language Of Blood

4. Night Of The Moon

5. Birch Bark Box

6. Chasing Ghosts

7. Known But Not Named

Release Dates:

GER: May 8th
UK/EU: May 11th
US: May 12th

Source: Earsplit PR

Posted by: Aaron Pickford

For more information:

http://www.vontill.org 

http://www.neurotrecordings.com/home.php 

http://www.facebook.com/neurotrecordings 

The Sludgelord News: STEVE VON TILL REVEALS DETAILS OF AN ASTONISHING NEW SOLO ALBUM, A LIFE UNTO ITSELF, UPCOMING ON NEUROT RECORDINGS IN MAY

(photo credit: Niela Von Till)

  The title doesn't quite say it all, but it says some of it: A Life Unto Itself is as much the name of Steve Von Till's fourth solo album as it is the perfect description for the 25-plus years he's spent forging, with his brothers, the incomparable musical force that is Neurosis—not to mention the numerous sonic tapestries he's woven with Tribes Of Neurot and under his alter ego Harvestman. You can hear that rich musical history, and all the life experience that goes with it, on his new solo album A Life Unto Itself – and this album goes deeper still.

  Where Steve Von Till's previous solo recordings took on a more traditional approach with a respectful nod toward American and European folk music, A Life Unto Itself expands and ventures into compelling uncharted territory for its maker. Steve Von Till's weathered, distinctive voice and sparse acoustic guitar provides a foundation, but a much wider variety of sonic textures are presented here. Bold and ambitious arrangements weave vintage synth, sublime strings, percussion, and electric guitars in and out of these unique and expansive songs as Steve Von Till's raspy whisper dives deeply inward and speaks genuinely of visions, memories, and self-reflection in a way that feels both seasoned and exposed.

A Life Unto Itself is a powerful and evocative collection of beautiful Celtic balladry, haunting folk songs, dark psychedelia and expansive Americana, transporting one to the very heart and soul of its creator. If you allow yourself to fully submit to it, abandoning all preconceptions, the rewards can be magnificent.

  More information and audible insights will be available in the coming weeks, in the meantime, please get in touch if you'd like any more info.

http://www.neurotrecordings.com/home.php

http://www.vontill.org/

http://www.facebook.com/neurotrecordings

Source: Rarely Unable

Red Fang - TeamRock​.​com presents...Absolute Music Bunker Session EP (Review)

Album Type: EP

Date Released: 22/7/2014

Label: Self Released

TeamRock​.​com presents an Absolute Music Bunker Session with Red Fang - Track listing:

1.Failure (Acoustic) 04:38

2.Human Herd (Acoustic) 03:44

3.Malverde (Acoustic) 03:51

4.Failure (Album Version) 04:57

5.Human Herd (Album Version) 03:51

6.Malverde (Album Version) 04:02

Info:

Acoustic tracks recorded live in March 2014 at the Team Rock studios in London, UK. “Failure” originally appears on the 2013 album ‘Whales and Leeches.’ “Human Herd” and “Malverde” originally appear on the 2011 album 'Murder the Mountains.'

The Band:

Bryan Giles - Guitar/Vocals

Aaron Beam - Bass/Vocals

David Sullivan - Guitar

John Sherman - Drums

Review

Red Fang have had an incredible 12 months with their latest album 'Whales and Leeches'. It has been acclaimed by fans and critics alike as one of 2013 finest Stoner Metal/Hard Rock albums. I had the pleasure of interviewing the band on their recent UK Tour.

Red Fang have released a Free EP of 3 acoustic tracks recorded in 2014 at Team Rock Studios in London. Plus the guys have included the 3 original album tracks as well. Look it's a free EP by Red Fang. What more could you want. Headover to BandCamp and download this now.

It's still a great release even if there aren't any new tracks. It's still great to hear 3 Red Fang classic tracks played acoustically which they don't do very often. Enjoy!!!

Words by: Steve Howe

For more information:

Official
Facebook

BandCamp