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



BASK - American Hollow (Album Review)

Album Type: Album

Date Released: July 29^th 2014

Label: Self Released

American Hollow - track listing:

01 High Mountain Pass 05:18

02 American Hollow 05:32

03 Land of the Sky 08:18

04 Shake the Soot From Your Boots 05:26

05 A Man's Worth 06:47

06 Endless Summer 08:55

Bio

With roots in americana, stoner metal and post-rock, Bask is turning out their own brand of doom. Psychedelic, heavy, and scenic songs weave through sections of driving riffs, thundering percussion, loose grooves and glimmering guitar. All topped with vocals that conjure spirits of old country crooners. That's all you need to know.

Band Members

Jesse. Scott. Ray. Zeb.

Review:

Bask are an unusual beast. Their Facebook description pretty much sums them up:

“With roots in Americana, Stoner Metal and Post-Rock, Bask is turning out their own brand of doom. Psychedelic, heavy, and scenic songs weave through sections of driving riffs, thundering percussion, loose grooves and glimmering guitar. All topped with vocals that conjure spirits of old country crooners.”

The vocals are a weird (and pretty cool) mix of old country twang and Neurosis style howling. There is something eerie about this album, it conjures up images of a slow boat making it's way along the Mississippi river, surrounded by a thick mist. That's enough picture painting, I'm rubbish at it.

What really impressed me was the way Bask build tension. I like a good build but some bands take it too far, adding tiny amounts of something for what feels like forever, until they actually get to the point. Bask do this without pissing me off.

The deft amalgamation of pickin' style and metal riffage is a testament to their musical influences and abilities. It's like John 5 decided playing shit music was no longer an option, started a Doom band and found a bunch of equally talented dudes to join him. The only track that was a little too country for me was 'A Man's Worth' (Track 5). I wanted more power, more of the heavy that Bask seem to be bloody good at laying down.

….And drums! The drummer is an animal! Some wonderful rhythmic work throughout. The entire band seem to be able to snake from one direction to another with little or no real effort. Maybe I'm writing this more as a guitarist than a music fan but tough shit.

As the album progresses it begins to lean more and more towards the bands Post-Rock influences, soaring guitars and a lot more emphasis on the cleaner tones (in both guitar and vocals). American Hollow definitely starts in a darker place than it ends up.

If I wasn't given this record to review I may have overlooked it, or not even realised it existed. I'm glad that didn't happen because it's an enjoyable ride, offering something different in a completely saturated little section of the underground metal scene. Bask are good at this, I suggest you get on this slow boat.

Check the Band from Links Below

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Bigcartel - You can buy Vinyl from here.

Written by Keeran Williams

Old Man Lizard - LONE WOLF vs BROWN BEAR - Album Review

Album Type:Album

Date Released: June 3^rd 2014

Label: Wicker Man Recordings

LONE WOLF vs BROWN BEAR - track listing:

1. Hippocastanum Warrior

2. Keiko's Last Smile

3. Return Of The Wildebeest

4. Wolves Wood

5. Rum Guts (Cetopsis Candirus)

6. Don't Piss In The River (Vandella Cirrhosa)

7. Beelzebeer Blues

8. Lone Wolf Vs. Brown Bear

9. Sea Of Witches

Bio:

In the last two years, Old Man Lizard's recorded output and live shows have attracted the attention of critics and music fans as well as record labels; and 2014 will see the release of their debut album (recorded with Slabdragger's Sam Thredder) on Ampullae Audio records, as well as a split with Earthmass on Big Riff Records. In addition to these two releases, Old Man Lizard are planning both UK and European tours this year - 2014 will be loud... Formed in Autumn 2011, Old Man Lizard wasted no time in recording and self-releasing a five track EP (http://oldmanlizard.bandcamp.com/album/old-man-lizard) showcasing their uniquely heavy and majestic sound.

Complete with beautiful artwork from Michael Dicken (http://cargocollective.com/michaeldicken), the EP quickly gathered attention and critical praise leading to a slew of invitations to play venues all over the country - from converted churches to the legendary Underworld, London.

In their short time as a band, Old Man Lizard have shared stages with seminal bands Dead Meadow, Arabrot, and Honky to name just a few, and have already been booked to play alongside heavyweights Conan and Dopethrone this year. Made up of Jack Newnham (also of Meadows - Superfi Records, Head of Crom Records), Gav Senior, and Dan Beales; Old Man Lizard are a power trio in the same vein as Cream or Blue Cheer, but the influences of contemporary bands from Taint to Yawning Man set Old Man Lizard apart from the often crowded and unvaried sludge and stoner scenes. Not content to retread the same old tired ground, Old Man Lizard make exciting and original heavy music without compromising the art of the riff.

The Band Members

Jack Newnham - guitar and vocals

Gav Senior - bass

Dan Beales - drums

Review:

I have been waiting a very long time for this album. And I am pleased to say it's been worth the fucking wait. I originally became aware of Old Man Lizard back in Feb 2012 when I featured their excellent debut EP. It was a stunning blend of Stoner, Sludge, Doom metal riffs.

Well it's time for their debut album – Lone Wolf vs Brown Bear – a highly dangerous and volatile mix of Sludge, Doom, Stoner, Blues and Country music. Now don't let the Country aspect put you off as you will be missing out on something special here.

Old Man Lizard call their music – Stoner Noir/Country-Sludge. Their music is more of a crazy bastardized offspring of TAINT, Torche, Kyuss and Baroness. Now if that doesn't get your attention nothing will.

First track - Hippocastanum Warrior – starts with a fuzzy based slow-paced riff before exploding into life with some heavy pounding vibes being played for maximum effect. The vocals have a crazy psychedelic vibe to them before the band play a soothing country based riff with the doomy sludge/stoner metal riffs unleashing a violent tornado for maximum effect. Hell yeah, I am starting to feel the crazy as hell vibe that Old Man Lizard have running through out the album.

2^nd track – Keiko's Last Smile – carries on the distorted crazy riffs once again as Old Man Lizard play one of the albums standout tracks with mega conviction. The vocals add a sense of danger as they fuse Baroness and TAINT style riffs to the mix for one wild ride. The drumming is the main standout here as Dan beats the hell out of the drum skins to show who is BOSS!!!

3^rd Track – Return Of The Wilderbeest – is more of a bluesy hard rock number with a punk rock groove being thrown in as well. You can tell by now that the band play by their own rules and they don't give a fuck what anyone thinks. Just sit back and enjoy the ride as it's going to be exciting, loud and noisy as hell.

The album has a distinctive rustic DIY feel to it as the album feels it was recorded outside in the great Alaskan wilderness never mind inside a studio. If you were disappointed by Baroness last album – Yellow & Green and waiting for the loud epic riffs which don't really appear. Well that's what Old Man Lizard have delivered. An album that Baroness should of made but failed to do so. As Old Man Lizard expertly combine different elements for one insane ride you won't soon forget about.

Old Man Lizard make you feel you are stranded in the great outdoors watching the fight that is going to take place on the excellent album cover. The albums last track – Sea Of Witches – is the standout track as it's a pure blues-sludge-stoner metal onslaught of intense riffs which shows you what the band is all about. There is a fantastic hidden track towards the end which earns the bands Country/Rustic tag. It may not be quite Deliverance but it's a superb banjo track to end the album on.

Lone Wolf vs Brown Bear is a brilliant album. Plain and Simple.

Thanks to Old Man Lizard and Hans at Wicker Man Recordings for sending me a promo to review. Lone Wolf vs Brown Bear will be available to buy on CD/DD from June 3^rd 2014.

Check The Band From Links Below

Facebook

BandCamp

Written by Steve Howe