Thursday 31 May 2012

ADRIFT FOR DAYS - FREE NEW SINGLE



The Lunar Maria cover art

Adrift For Days are a Sludge/Post-Rock/Post-Metal/Ambient/Fuzz-Rock/Hard To Categorize Band from Australia.

The members are:

Lachlan R. Doomsdale - guitars
Ron Prince - guitars
Matt Williams - bass
Mick Kaslik - vocals, drone flute, fx
Steve Kachoyan - drums
Michael Taverner - live sound

Most people know that Adrift For Days are one of my fave Aussie Sludge Noise Makers. Their debut album The Lunar Maria is one of the most jaw-dropping masterpieces your most likely ever to encounter.

I have featured them many times as Lachlan keeps sending me groovy brilliant free stuff to share with you. It could be an Aussie Drone Rock Compilation like I posted last week. His other great band Serious Beak.

Now he is offering Adrift For Days amazing new song "Back Of The Beyond" from their long awaited new album - Come Midnight.

Back Of The Beyond is a 10 minute epic that showcases the smoked out sludge fuzz sound that Adrift For Days are masters at. Anyway here are the details:

Dearest drone pals,

I offer unto you a free download of Adrift for Days brand new single "Back of the Beyond". Go check it out!



 


Australia's smoked-out, psychedelic doom-droners Adrift for Days are back! Two years after the release of their acclaimed debut "The Lunar Maria" comes "Come Midnight…", an ambitious 71-minute concept album that spans doom, drone, sludge, stoner metal, 70’s psychedelic rock, post-metal and post-rock influences.

"Come Midnight..." is an epic, drug-tinged, existential journey that draws on the traditions ofEarth, Neurosis, Boris, Pink Floyd and Rosetta. This is the perfect soundtrack for a nightmarish trek into the depths of your soul. For best results, listen while in the throes of a mescaline binge and lost in the pitiless freeze of the desert night air.

This is one release I can't wait for. I will be reviewing this album as soon as I get my hands on a copy which wont be too long. But check their previous album on the blog here.

Check this amazing band below:

Dead Branches - Band To Check Out


Lung Wings cover art

Dead Branches is a Hard Rock/Sludge/Stoner Rock Band from Welland, Ontario, Canda

The members are;

Josh Shoemaker
Shawn Allison

Dead Branches are a fucking top-notch Instrumental Hard-Rock/Sludge/Stoner Metal influenced by Thin Lizzy, Baroness and Mastodon. 

Shawn contacted me about his great new band as he is part of another great Sludge Metal band Sorceress who I featured last year.

Well Dead Branches is a hard-rocking kick-ass rock band and of the best instrumental rock bands I have had the pleasure to hear this year. Especially when influenced by three of my fave bands - Baroness, Thin Lizzy and Mastodon.

This feels like a supergroup jamming session of those great bands. It incorporates the hard-rocking riffs that Thin Lizzy made famous along with the Prog Sludge Riffs that Mastodon/Baroness bring. And it's a great blast that will have you hooked in no time at all.

Dead Branches have 3 songs available for Free Download from their BandCamp page but all individual. The tracks - "Sunken Eyes, Broken Teeth", "Jump Into The Well" and "Lung Wings" show what a great band Dead Branches are actually are.

If this is the start of Dead Branches I can't wait to hear what they sound like on a proper demo, EP or full length in the near future.

It's staggering that this is a two man band as it sounds like a four man band. They have so much power for a two man band.

All I can say is WOW and FUCKING WOW again. Head over to BandCamp and check out a great band with hopefully a bright future ahead of them.

What you get is about 13 mins of amazing hard-rocking Sludge/Stoner Metal vibes that will brighten up any day and leave a big smile on your face. Brilliant.

Great Work Guys. Count me as a fan now. Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below

RODHA

RAW cover art

RODHA are a Stoner/Sludge Metal Band From Hamburg, Germany.

The members are;

Mo - voc
Stephan - dr
Timo - git
Flo - bs

RODHA are another great Sludge/Stoner Metal band coming from Germany which have been featured on this blog recently.

RODHA play an intense blend of Hardcore, Sludge and Stoner Metal to heavy pounding and brutal effect to stand out from the crowd.

Influenced by great bands of each genre this is another band you can't pass up. Their new release - RAW - is a 5 song and 28 minute blast of great intense riffs.

This release will just blow you away. It never lets up from the word go and will have you begging for more when it's finally over. A fucking great release by a great band.

All of the tracks are equally great as each other. It really is hard to pick out a stand out track. Bliss and Thousand Headed Goddess will show you the true power of this awesome band.

Playing hard-hitting Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs with great vocals to match. The EP is expertly produced and you can hear every note played to hard-hitting ear-splitting perfection.

What is even better the band are offering this great release for free download from BandCamp. So head over their now before the free download links are all gone which wont be too long in my opinion.

Brilliant Stuff and Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

ENSKYE


ENSKYE is a Sludge/Post-Metal Band From Hudson Valley, New York, USA

The members are:

Vocals: Aaron Weseman
Guitar: Dan Pizappi
Bass: Cameron Burkhart
Drums: Phil Motl

ENSKYE are a brilliant Sludge/Post-Metal Band who play the same sort of great music as ISIS, Neurosis and Cult Of Luna.

They have recently released their amazing new album "Eosphorus​/​Quintessence" on BandCamp Pay Anything You Want Type Deal.

The album is a 5 song and 43 minute blast of hard-hitting Sludge/Post-Metal riffs that can rival any top-notch Sludge/Post-Metal outfit.

All I can say is download this brilliant album now. You won't be sorry. It's full of great riffs and sublime vocals to match. Standout tracks include "Soul Meets Sky (The Rise)" and "Infernus (The Fall)".

The band are brilliant musicians and prove it through out the course of this standout album. It really is that great. This is one album you must not pass-up. Believe me it really is that great.

A fucking brilliant album by a truly great band. Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

SKOMM




SKOMM is a 3 piece band from Fresno,CA, USA

Info about this band is very hard to find but they are an excellent Sludge/Post-Metal/Ambient/Shoegaze/What-The-Fuck-Ever-We-Hate-Being-Filed-Under-Genre Band.

All I can say if your into ISIS, Neurosis, Cult Of Luna and Noothgrush then your going to dig this great band. They are offering their first CD for free download. The brilliantly titled album is called -

"What We Dream Is Not What We Live. What We Live We Did Not Seek. The Path To Death Is Life"


Download From SoundCloud
Download From Mediafire

It's a 4 track and almost 42 minute of hard hitting Sludge/Post-Metal riffs. You need to play this loud as the production isn't the best. It's almost raw at times but it adds a unique sense of purpose to the band's music especially on the 19 minute epic - "Minimum Security(Constants)"

So if you want something raw, hard-hitting and to piss you off in equal measure then this is it. I found this to be a great listen but only if you have the heart to do it. Not everyone is going to like it. But SKOMM are a great band with some cool riffs to match their undeniable hard-hitting style of Sludge/Post-Metal.

Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

Facebook
SoundCloud

Tapes and CDs are available on order from skomm559@yahoo.com

Check The Guys In Action Below.


RAW BIRTH RECORDS



The next article is from a very cool guy called Nikolaj who is heavily involved with the Denmark Sludge/Stoner Metal scene. He wrote a fairly in-depth article about their local scene and his involvement with a great label called Raw Birth Records. And a great band called BOTTOM FEEDER

I have listened to Bottom Feeder and they are a great heavy sludge metal band to keep an eye out for.

Full of heavy distorted Sludge Metal riffs to awaken the soul to. It's only two tracks long but it does show a band with a great deal of promise.

Anyway Nikolaj is one busy dude. Read more in the article.

"My name is Nikolaj Jakobsen, and i contact you to see if you are interested in posting something about the sludge/doom scene in Copenhagen Denmark, which im involved in. 

3 -6 of may, the first edition of the new festival "Heavy Days In Doomtown" was held, and with great success.

1300 people attended over 4 day in 3 different venues with 30 bands performing. The festival was the first of its kind in europe since its 100% non commercial and volunteer run, and with a great international line-up.

Line-up looked like this: Jex Thoth, Lord Vicar, Noothgrush, Coffins, Solstice, Aldebaran, Griftegård, Worship, Brutus, Ocean Chief, Black Oath, Kongh Suma, Bottom Feeder, Torchlight and many more!


Check it all out here: www.heavydaysindoomtown.com

Im also a part of running the Copenhagen label Raw Birth Records who ave just released Copenhagen sludge band Bottom Feeder´s first 7" EP.

Here is Bottom Feeder´s Bio:

Bottom Feeder was formed in 2010 by Nikolaj Jakobsen and Jonas Bjerg who both had played in punk and hardcore bands for a decade and wanted to tune it down a bit and go heavy and slow.

Influenced by riff masters like Iron Monkey, Buzz-oven, EHG and Noothgrush, Bottom Feeder is following the classic sludge feeling in their raw and bluesy riffs, the vocals are rasping and tormented and the lyrical and aestethic themes are influenced by human and spritual decay.

Bottom Feeder have been touring scandinavia with danish Doom band Torchlight, and in Germany with Union Of Sleep, and have just released their first 7" EP at the Heavy Days In Doomtown Festival, who sold over 100 copies after a crushing performance. 

Gigs comming up with Acid King 5th of June.

Bottom Feeder EP Tracklist

Side A: Divine Heritage 7:18
Side B: Out Of The Ashes 4:21

Bottom Feeder soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/bottomfeedersludge

RawBirthRecords Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raw-Birth-Records/200196850077157
RawBirthRecords Blog: http://rawbirthrecords.blogspot.com/
RawBirthRecords Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/rawbirthrecords

Cheers.

Nikolaj // RBR // HDDT"

DEATH DENIED


Death Denied is a Sludge/Stoner/Southern Metal Band From Poland

The members are

Tasior - gtr, voc
Vinc - bass, voc
Kiemzo - gtr
Wrona - dr

Vincent contacted me recently to check this band out. And I glad he did as Death Denied are a top-notch Southern Metal band heavily influenced from the legendary NOLA scene with bands such as Crowbar, Corrosion Of Conformity and the mighty Down.

They have a free EP - Appetite For Booze you can download from their Facebook Page. What you get is a 5 song 25 minute blast of superb Sludge/Stoner/Southern Metal tracks. Its brilliantly produced and you can hear every note played to perfection.

The first track "This Is How We Roll" will have you hooked in seconds with a great meaty riff the Legendary NOLA scene is famous for. These guys could actually be from NOLA instead of Poland.

Other great tracks follow - Sssnakes, Murky Waters. Blind and my fave track the 6 minute epic - "City Of Dust".

These guys are talented musicians and you can tell that by the music they are playing. This is an EP you will be listening to time and time again.

If your into the legendary NOLA Scene then you will be right at home here. Full of passionate Southern Metal riffs are waiting to be discovered. So what you waiting for. Get downloading. This is a cracking release from a great band I want to hear more of.

Lets see what they can do on a full length record. Awesome Stuff and Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

PRESSOR

[EP] Grave Full of Weed cover art

PRESSOR are a Sludge/Stoner Metal Band from Russia

The members are:

Slow Stan
Alco Tony
Old Ell
Сalm Nick

PRESSOR are a kick ass loud as fuck Sludge/Stoner Metal band from Russia which seem to be popping up all over the place. I have heard a few and frankly they have been rubbish. But PRESSOR are an exception to the rule.

These guys just fucking rule. Their new EP - Grave Full Of Weed is full of nasty distorted Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs with great vocals to match.

The EP is 5 tracks and about 35 mins long with a few epic tracks thrown in for great measure. If your into bands like Bongzilla and WeedEater then your going to dig this. So get checking these hugely talented filthy Sludge Rockers now.

It might not be the most sophisticated thing in the world but these guys do know how to play long drawn out distorted dirty Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs to get your teeth stuck into.

You can download this now from BandCamp Pay Anything You Want Type Deal. 

Awesome Band and Awesome Tunes. Highly Recommended. Get Checking Them Now!!!

Check This Great Band Below


Check Out A Full Concert of These Guys In Action. Brilliant Stuff.


ODYSSEY - ABYSMAL DESPAIR REVIEW




Odyssey are a 3 Piece Stoner/Noise/Sludge Rock Band from Sweden

The members are:

Witold Östensson
Jesper Karlsson
Jonas Pedersen

Odyssey are a hard-rocking power trio who play an excellent blend of Stoner, Noise, and Sludge Rock with a great lo-fi garage vibe to their music.

These guys were featured on the blog back in March 2012 when I featured their excellent new single – “Wicked Witch”. The article got a very good response and struck a chord with many of you.

Well Odyssey have just released their superb debut album – “Abysmal Despair”. An 8 song and 39 minute of down and dirty Stoner/Noise/Sludge Rock riffs that will have you head-banging in no time at all.

Odyssey are getting a great reputation amongst us Stoner Rockers and it’s not hard to see why. This album just rocks in a very big way. It might not be the most sophisticated album you will hear this year. But it does have some of the most hard-rocking riffs to rival any great band.

The album gets down to business with the 4:41 minute opener – Pyramids which blends Stoner, Noise and Garage Rock with a Sludge Rock vibe that will kick your senses into touch. The track has a fantastic underlying bass guitar driving this song through.

Next up is probably the most Stoner Rock song of them all and probably my fave track – “Wicked Witch” – I love this song when I heard it back in March 2012. It shows what these guys do best. Playing high-energy lo-fi Stoner Rock riffs that will have you pumping your fists in the air in no time at all.

The vocals have a great straight to the point edge to them. There are no Hardcore based growls in sight at all. Just passionate vocals that are carried off with conviction and purpose.

“Abysmal Despair” is up next. This is a 5 minute blast of top-notch Sludge/Stoner Rock carnage. It gets extremely loud at times and showcases once again why I think very highly of these talented rockers.

Great vocals, lyrics and a sublime Sludge/Noise/Garage/Stoner Rock mish-mash of sounds that is near impossible to ignore now.

“Keloma” is the 4th track that Odyssey perform next. And by now the guys should have your full attention. It’s more of the same musical vibes they have already laid down but with added Punk Rock aggression thrown in for good measure.

Up next for your attention - “No Fucking Way” which has probably the best riff on this album around the 5 minute mark. A cool fuzz driven stoner rock riff that would go down a storm on the live stage.

The last 3 tracks “Wolfspit And Witches Breath”, “This Ship Is Sinkin” and “Darked” is where the album goes into heavy territory and possibly the best part of this superb album. This is where the band up their game and it pays off brilliantly. As the songs are full of distorted riffs with great vocals to match.

A brilliant end to an amazing album. Odyssey take the listener on a rollercoaster journey of thrills and spills and it pays off big time. This is a band that keep you on the edge of your seat with their take on all things Stoner Rock.

People might say it’s not the best produced album they have heard. But I feel the lo-fi stripped back garage rock vibe suits the band brilliantly well. It highlights what a proper band Odyssey are. Relying on true talent and not studio professional wizardry the mainstream pop monstrosities that is around at the moment.

As you can tell I am a massive fan of this band and I hope this is the sign of great things to come from this amazing power-trio. The world of Stoner/Sludge Rock needs bands like Odyssey. And proves once again that Sweden is one of the best countries flying the flag for Stoner Rock.

I feel Odyssey will be a band we will still be talking about in the years to come. “Abysmal Despair” shows that Odyssey are on the road to greatness. Give it a couple of more releases then these guys could become the next breakout act everyone will be wanting to see.

Brilliant. I urge you to buy this album now. You won’t be sorry. This is a band you need in your life right now.

Highly Recommended. Abysmal Despair is available on Transubstans Records/Record Heaven and from all good stockists now.

Check This Great Band Below

Facebook
Blog

MIAVA - Band To Check Out

The Fall of Public man cover art

MIAVA (Maria Isn't A Virgin Anymore) is an Experimental Stoner Rock/Post-Metal Band from Belgium

The members

Guitars - Jelle Reynaert
Guitars - Brecht Vanvyaene
Bass - Thijs Vangheluwe
Drums - Jelle Tommeleyn

MIAVA aka Maria Isn't A Virgin Anymore - play a great blend of Stoner Rock and Post-Metal that not many bands do or succeed at. But these hugely talented rockers pull it off big-time.

These guys can be described as Karma To Burn jamming with TOOL. For a young band they deliver their share of high voltage Stoner-Rock/Post-Metal riffs.

Their latest EP – The Fall Of Public Man is a 5 song and 28 minute blast of top-notch riffs from start to finish. The guys are going to release their debut full length very soon and if it’s anything like this then we are in for something special.

The EP is a perfect balancing act of sublime Stoner Rock riffs blended with the intensity of hard-hitting Post-Metal carnage.

These guys have come up with a winning blend of Rock/Metal that will have you hooked in no time at all. Especially on tracks “Amnesia” and “Silencer”. Full of great riffs that will have you hooked in no time.

I have to thank Blog Viewer – Dave (From New Zealand) for pointing this great band in my direction as I have never heard of them. But thanks to Dave’s recommendation this is another band I will be looking forward to when their debut full length hits.

I am not going to do a song by song review. You need to check these guys out for yourself. If you’re into TOOL, Karma To Burn, Pelican and Russian Circles then get checking these guys now. They could become one of your fave new bands.

The band are amazing musicians who know how to play a well mean hard-hitting riff. It’s purely instrumental and stands one of the best instrumental records I have heard this year.

I can’t recommend these guys highly enough. If you want to check these guys out for yourself then head over to legendary blog – StonerRobixxx for all your download needs. As the band have kindly endorsed his download links to hold the album.

If you like what your hear then please consider buying some merch from the guys from the links below.

Highly Recommended. Bring on their debut full length.

Check This Great Band from the links below:

Facebook
BandCamp

Thursday 24 May 2012

YOU FUCKING RIPPER - FREE AUSSIE TUNES

Drone from the Underside of the Earth: a free compilation of Australian stoner, sludge, doom and drone

Here is a compilation of some of the best Sludge/Stoner/Doom Metal Bands that Australia has to offer.

Lachlan Dale of brilliant Aussie Rockers - Adrift For Days and Serious Beak emailed me the following recently.

"Drone from the Underside of the Earth is a FREE digital compilation featuring Australia's best stoner, sludge, doom and drone bands, featuring the likes of Space Bong, Hydromedusa, Adrift for Days, Looking Glass, In Trenches, No Anchor, Drowing Horse, Sons of the Ionian Sea, Summonus, DEAD, Futility, Clagg and many more.

Drone from the Underside of the Earth is available now for free download through Art As Catharsis Records.

I've spent a lot of hours on this project this year. I really wanted to draw attention to some our country's awesome fuzzy, droney, drug-addled groups, that perhaps don't get the attention they deserve - especially outside of Australia - because the reality is we can boast some of the most unique and varied slow music of any country.

So I set off with intent to pull together some of my favourite artists in Australia's stoner, sludge, doom and drone scenes in order to get more people to discover great Australian underground music. But I was a little naive of quite how long it would take me!

The hard work paid off in the end. Drone form the Underside of the Earth features a selection of 26 tracks. This is a rare, eye-opening peek into Australia's rich underground music scene. At 3-and-a-half hours in length it's quite a ride, but I sincerely hope that you at least discover a few new bands as a result of this work.

Download the compilation now."


All I can say to Dale and co they have down a brilliant job of putting this great compilation together. It features some great bands that have been featured on this blog.

So head over now and get checking this great Free release. If you like what you hear then check out the relevant bands.

Some great band to be discovered such as Adrift For Days, No Anchor, Hydromedusa, NOUS, Space Bong and many more.

I could complain and ask where is AVER. One of my fave Space-Rock/Grunge/Stoner Rock bands from Australia that were featured here in 2011. Anyway beggars can't be choosers. So get downloading this great release now.

Keep up the excellent work Lachlan who is seriously becoming one of my fave musicians at the moment. Hugely Talented Guy who deserves every success. (Plus I can't wait for my copy of Adrift For Days latest epic album - Come Midnight to be released soon.)

Anyway enjoy.

WORT

WORT'S N'All! cover art

WORT are a Doom/Sludge Metal band from Huddersfield/Manchester, UK

The members are:

Mike Collins
Phil Wheldon
Parmahn Azad

WORT are an excellent upcoming Doom/Sludge Metal band from the UK who have just released their excellent debut EP - WORT'S N'ALL. A 4 song filthy as fuck sludge filled monster.

Influenced by bands such as EyeHateGod, Cough and other loud, down-tempo Sludge Bruisers of that ilk.

Its not the best produced demo ever but it shows a band with a great premise if they keep writing the same dirge filled riffage. Especially on tracks like The Hills Have Fungeye and Bog Eye.

What you get is great riffs with bleak vocals to match. Plus this fucka is free on  BandCamp right now. So head over and get some WORT in your life. Superb Stuff.

Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:


Check This Great band in action from the excellent "The Hills Have Fungeye".


(WANING)

Broken Path cover art

(WANING) are a Psych Doom/Sludge Metal Band from Sacramento, CA, USA

The members are:

Susan Hunt
Jim Willig
Benjamin Carpineta
Ian Black

(WANING) are a great Psych/Doom/Sludge Metal Band influenced by many great bands but adding their own   spin on things. They play some truly haunting Doom/Sludge Metal riffs with a great psych edge.

This bio should give you more info on this great band:

"(waning) began life as a dark ambient duo consisting of Susan Huntand Jim Willig. After many CDr releases, the duo found strict ambient music to be limiting, and added drummer Scott De Medeiros, with whom they recorded Always Ending. The band continues with new members Benjamin Carpineta and Ian Black. (waning)’s sound has expanded, tying together strains of doom, post-punk, and shoegaze

Our music is strongly influenced by bands such as Jesu, Neurosis, Isis, Melvins, The Cure, and Slowdive, among others. We recently released our new EP, "Broken Path" for a "name your own price" download on bandcamp"

Well I have listened to their new EP - Broken Path. It's a 4 track and 26 minute trek of great psych doom/sludge metal riffs. It's a bit under-produced and the drums could do with a bit more oomph to them. 

But other than that this is a great release that shows a band that could potentially release some great records in the future.

The vocals are a great mix of Hardcore Based Sludge Metal mixed with Susan's more softer heavenly clean like vocals and it works superbly well.

The band show their most creative talents on the 10:21 minute epic "Queen Of Bees". A great song by a great band who show why they have a lot of offer in their respective genres.

If your a fan of the bands mentioned previously then your going to dig this great band. They play loud and heavy great Doom/Sludge Metal with hints of Post-Metal with a sublime psych edge.

So headover to  BandCamp right now and get downloading. You won't be sorry.

Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:


LA MAR

La Mar cover art

La Mar are an Experimental/Post-Rock/Post-Metal Band from Caracas, Venezuela

The members are:

Angel Negrín
Pedro Deniz
Fernando Mendoza
Fernando J. Rodríguez:

La Mar are a truly superb Experimental/Post-Rock/Post-Metal band that really do bring something unique to the field. Their new S/T album is masterpiece of Post-Rock/Post-Metal riffs mixed with some excellent haunting experimental rock vibes you wouldn't normally expect with genres like this.

The album is popping up on all the other great blogs and it's not hard to see why. La Mar are a band with a lot of things to say even though the music is mostly instrumental.

La Mar are masters at blending the different genres together into something quite unique and refreshing. This is an album you will be listening to time and time again like I have the past week or so.

La Mar are all brilliant musicians and prove it time and time again on this superb album. Especially on tracks like "Anchors" , "There Goes Life", "Under The Weather" and "Tides".

The album has its fair share of epic tracks. Ranging from 6 mins to 9 mins in length. This album is very multi-layered so it might take you a couple of listens to get the full effect. But believe me its a journey worth taking.

This album is highly recommended by myself. And showcases a great band to look out for. Brilliant Stuff.

What is even better you can download this excellent album for free right now from their official website.

So do yourself a favour head over there now and get this band in your collection now. You won't regret it. Awesome Stuff.

Check This Great Band Below:

I THE UNLORD

praise the most dead cover art

I THE UNLORD are a Hardcore/Sludge Metal Band From Münster/Leipzig, Germany

The members are:

Rene
Tobi
Tom
Kövi
Chris

I THE UNLORD are a brilliantly heavy as fuck Hardcore/Sludge Metal Band you need to hear right now. They play heavy loud Hardocre/Sludge Metal influenced by great bands past and present.

Their bio should tell you more about this great  band:

"I The Unlord was formed in June 2008 by Tobias Buck (Neaera), Benjamin Kövener (The Ghost Dance Movement, Bersarin Quartett) and Rene Wichmann. Influenced by Heavyweights such as Crowbar, Disembodied, Morbid Angel and The Acacia Strain the band created its own downtuned and brutal mix of new-school hardcore, sludge and death-metal.

A few month later the band recorded and self-released their first demo. In February 2009 Tom Huschka joined the band taking over bass duties. Since then I The Unlord shared stages with Heaven Shall Burn, Disembodied, Maroon, Misery Speaks, Der Weg einer Freiheit and Burnt by the sun.

Next step in the band`s history was the recording of their first full-length in 2011. Praise the most dead - the bands debut-album will be out on vinyl (and download) in march 2012 as a self-release."


Well Sludge Rockers this great band's debut album "Praise The Most Dead" is finally here. It's a 10 song and 42 minute blast of top-notch Hardcore/Sludge Metal carnage.

It's heavy from the word go and will have you head-banging in no time at all. If your a fan of the bands mentioned above then get checking this brilliant album now. It seriously is a loud heavy affair that will have you pushing the repeat button in no time at all.

All of the tracks are simply sublime. And shows another great band coming from our German brothers. Germany are on a roll with DeZafra Ridge, Union Of Sleep and Wolves Carry My Name. Now add I THE UNLORD to that list.

The album is brilliantly produced and would be a welcome addition to anyone's record collection. With the band giving this away for free on BandCamp you have no excuse.

These guys mean business and the album shows off their talent to perfection. Their songs are Fucking Loud, Heavy and Angry the way all great Sludge Metal should be. So get checking now.

Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

Get the Vinyl Version a titheunlord@gmx.de

UNDERSMILE - NARWHAL REVIEW


Undersmile 'Narwhal' Artwork

Undersmile are a Sludge/Doom/Drone Metal Band from Oxford, UK.

The members are:

Tom McKibbin - Drums
Olly Corona-Brown - Bass
Hel Sterne - Vocals and Lead Guitars
Taz Corona-Brown - Vocals and Guitars

Undersmile are a brilliant Sludge/Doom Metal band who mix elements of Sludge, Stoner, Doom and Drone to full unsettling maximum effect. They are led by two of the best female vocalists Hel and Taz in UK Sludge/Doom Metal has to offer.

We at Sludgelord are huge fans of this extremely talented band. I have featured them twice with their previous debut EP and the split EP with Caretaker. Well Undersmile are back with their long-awaited debut album – Narwhal.

A 10-song and almost 80 minute epic of pummelling and long drawn out Sludge/Doom/Drone riffs. This release is heavy from the start. And I mean – HEAVY. Nothing will prepare you for this unsettling and unflinching portrayal of long drawn out Sludge/Doom/Drone Metal mixed with haunting ambient soundscapes.

I must say the production is amazing. This is the best Undersmile have ever sounded. Every note is played to down-tempo bleak perfection.

If you have heard Undersmile’s other releases then nothing will be prepare you for this. The heavy loud drawn out riffs their famous for are still there but they have added a creepy ambient drone metal feel to their music. This is a band that has taken their music upto the next level. At times this is brutally creepy to listen to.

They have added a very creepy occult overtone to their music. And at 80 mins in length you’re in for quite a ride. The album has 5 tracks that run past the 8 minute mark. The longest “Myra” is on a for an epic 16 minutes plus.

First up is the 12 minute epic – Lockjaw which sets the scene in what’s in store. Full of filthy low-tuned down-tempo instruments with haunting vocals to match. There is nothing wrong with your stereo. Give it a minute or so when this monolithic beast springs to life. This is proper Sludge/Doom Metal to awaken the soul to.

The riffs are slow, epic and have a life of their own with haunting vocals to match. Torture has never sounded so good. A great start to this amazing album.

This is where you can tell Undersmile have left the trappings of their previous releases behind. This is a band reborn. The old Undersmile are gone. This is Undersmile in full flight and the band we have been waiting for.

Milk is up next and continues the same path of loud and heavy destruction that Lockjaw laid down before it. Undersmile are a band controlling their own path and destiny. Even I wouldn’t be brave enough to tell this band to speed up. Nor do I want to. It’s the more better for it. It’s possibly one of the bleakest releases ever to be released by a UK Sludge Metal Band.

Funayeri is a great 2 minute slow-paced quiet track compared to the previous 2 epic tracks. But this is more of a break before the usual business of heavy pummelling soul-destroying riffage kicks off again.

Berk is the next happy-go-lucky 13 minute epic this band will take your soul through the darkness of despair. Full of more low-tuned down-tempo riffage but this adds a few great riffs to proceedings. The bass playing is just perfect on this track. It adds a sense of calm to proceedings. But only for a short while before a few fast paced riffs start showing up.

Does this mean the old Undersmile is coming to join the party. Not really. There are glimpses but this is the demonic version of Undersmile that is in full proper control.

The album’s short tracks are great tracks such as Cortege and The Unthinkable. These are just moments for the listener to catch your breath. Cortege does feature some truly haunting vocals that add a lot of weight like their epic counterparts.

The album’s defining track is the 16:34 minute epic “Myra”. This has the feel of Mastodon (Leviathan era) jamming with Electric Wizard. The track start with a slow pounding progressive sludge riff before the chaos starts again with more outstanding vocals of these talented rockers.

This track is Undersmile’s best work to date. It immediately draws you in with the full creativity and imagination of the band’s talents on show. Every band member plays an equal role in performing a haunting masterpiece of Sludge/Drone/Doom Metal that will sound brilliantly epic and loud on stage

Before The Unthinkable are two epic tracks – Mandrill and Verdirgis that run for about 7 to 8 mins each. Both of these like their earlier counterparts are drawn out dirge driven Sludge/Doom/Drone Metal you should now be accustomed to. If not they will soon have you in their grasp. Both unrelenting pieces that feature haunting emotional vocals and riffs you wont hear anywhere else.

After the two minute rest with “The Unthinkable” it’s back to one big last epic. As if you haven’t already gone through the motions – Undersmile unleash another 12 minute classic. Qaanaaq - This is last hurrah before this astonishing debut reaches its unforgettable and possibly unforgivable climax. Things get very loud indeed. Possibly the loudest track out of the entire album. You know what to expect by now but this does not mean its predictable. Far from it. Undersmile still have a few tricks up their sleeve.

I don’t know if this is a concept album of sorts but it does feel like it has a story to tell. One I am not going to go to much into if it has. As to be honest after almost multiple listens I still don’t know. It’s simply a journey you have to make yourself and make your own conclusion. What we can all agree is what a brilliant loud and epic journey it is.

Undersmile have channelled the aggression of SLEEP with the bleakness and low-tuned riffs of Electric Wizard but still putting their own unheavenly spin on things.

Narwhal could be their career defining masterpiece which is quite rare for a full-length debut release. I honestly don’t think Undersmile can top this great release. I hope they can as this will be considered their own benchmark to beat.

Undersmile have not only released their definitive album of their careers, they have also released one of the definitive masterpieces of UK Sludge/Doom/Extreme Metal that will be considered a landmark classic for many years to come.

You can buy Narwhal from all good stockists now.

Check This Great Band Below:

Facebook
BandCamp
http://undersmiledoom.blogspot.co.uk/
http://undersmile.bigcartel.com/

Sunday 20 May 2012

OWL


Owl EP cover art

OWL is a Hard Rock/Stoner Metal Band from Oakland, USA.

The members are:

Alex Baechle, Axell Baechle, Clint Baechle, Melanie Burkett

I have to thank Clint for emailing about his great band. He sent me an excellent email about his brilliant band which I am going to publish now. Makes my job a lot easier as well. Plus they are using a brilliant label from my hometown of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.

""San Francisco Bay Area retro metallers Owl are set to release theirdebut single "Stone Loner" on ebruary 17. Across the two sides of the record you will find primitive Zeppellin-esque bashings, bouts of Thin Lizzy/Maiden style dual guitar isms, and even a frightening journey into the realm of galactic terror! The band consists of three brothers (the youngest one still only 17) who have been playing together since late 2009. 

A popular demo tape was released in 2010, and the lineup was soon completed with the addition of bass player Melanie Burkett. The "Stone Loner Single" is a joint release between the band's own Magick Hermit imprint and Tombs In The Valley Productions from Newcastle, UK."
And here's what Maximum Rock 'n' Roll had to say about the demo tape:

"This band seems to have come to fruition out of the NWOBHM lovin' sect within the Oakland, CA crust metal scene. OWL consists of three brothers and an unrelated girl, in cluding members of ACTS OF SEDITION and STORMCROW. Their guitarist who is truly impressive with those crazy solos - not to be missed live. I heard a rumor that this tape was recorded when he was... thirteen years old? I call bullshit, but if it's true, he's like a witching hour miracle. The recording has a vintage raw sound, and captures the band's late 70's, early 80's British influence. Same recording quality and vibe of the remastered PENTAGRAM demos or what witchcraft was going for by using only vintage gear. I think these guys might like HAWKWIND? Anyway, this is one of those tapes you flip over and over for days and get the riffs stuck in your head. Beautifully executed and well worth the $4 asking price." (Amelia)


Well you now know what to expect from this great band. NWOBHM mixed with Doom and Stoner Metal with a great retro style vibe. True there are a lot of bands doing this sort of music as well. But OWL are probably one of the best bands I have heard doing this.

They are receiving a lot of praise for their music and it's not hard to see why. It's do damn fucking great. All I can say. Head over to their BandCamp Page and check out all their music for yourself.

Clint and the other members of this brilliant band have sent me Mediafire Links to download their brilliant music. My fave song is "Stone Loner" from their new S/T EP as it incorporates some of my favourite artists when I was growing up. And it shows what a great band OWL actually are.


You can buy all your physical needs from BandCamp

Check This Great Band Below:



DeZafra Ridge

❂DeZafra Ridge s/t cover art

DeZafra Ridge is a Doom/Sludge/Post-Metal band from Leipzig, Germany.

The members are:

D.N.
M.W.
M.R.
S.L.
A.O.

DeZafra Ridge are a brilliant Sludge/Post-Metal Band who blend Sludge, Doom, Hardcore and Post-Metal to spell-binding effect. They are another outstanding band coming Germany like Wolves Carry My Name, Union Of Sleep amongst many others featured on this blog.

Here is a bio for this great band.

"Leipzig, November 2011 – While the onset of winter approaches, DeZafra Ridge make their debut with a four-track EP: a gloomy composition of down-tempo sludge strokes, rolling guitar riffs and expansive melodies, overlaid with strong shouting vocals.

The five-piece band from Leipzig, Germany, creates in this release a dark, cold atmosphere of both stillstand and progress, slicing heavy fog while delving into spiritual abyss. Inspired by ancient Mythology and contemporary culture as well as personal experience and introspection, the music accompanies the lyrics by a [homogeneous] fusion of different [varieties of] metal genres, in a monotonous, hypnotic manner."

The band's S/T debut EP is a 4 song and 40 minute blast of hard-hitting Sludge/Post-Metal riffs that has a haunting ambient creepy feel to their music. These guys could be perfect touring partners for Canadian Sludge Bruisers - Alaskan.

They both play the same blend of top-notch Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal riffs to amaze you with time and time again.

DeZafra Ridge debut release is a brilliant monumental release. It showcases the band's talents at writing and performing amazing Sludge/Post-Metal riffs with great vocals to match.

These guys take their time in cranking up the atmosphere to maximum volume. Once they do it's very hard to resist. Especially on tracks like "Temerity Of Owls" and "Innocent Hibernation". These guys don't do short tracks they play epic lengthy tracks to chill the soul to.

This is music for the jaded pissed off at the world person in us all. We all get like that when things never go right. You feel the whole world is against you. 

Heck I felt like this most of this week. But DeZafra Ridge lifted me out that mood fucking brilliantly. They have the talent of other top-notch Sludge/Post-Metal bands of snapping you out of that dark cloud. As the pummeling riffs put everything into perspective. And put you in a euphoric state of being.

A testament to the band's talent of making highly emotional thinking man's metal. It's a fucking amazing release from a truly great band and one I am truly thankful for we have in the world of Sludge/Post-Metal.

The release is brilliantly produced and you can hear every note played to loud angry perfection. 

DeZafra Ridge are an amazing band that Germany should be proud of. These guys are going to be one of the big-hitters in the next few years.

You can buy this release from all sorts of various formats from their BandCamp Page. But guys have very kindly given me a link to download this amazing album for free from Mediafire and I thank them for it.

All I say in return - If you like what you hear. Head over to BandCamp and buy some merch or leave a comment on Facebook. The guys will totally appreciate it.

Fucking Brilliant and Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:
Mediafire - Link for Download - Kindly Provided By The Band.

Sun Preachers


Faces of ashes cover art

Sun Preachers are a Hard Rock/Psych-Rock/Stoner Rock Band from Bordeaux, France

The members are:

Nicolas Eymerich: vocals
Joel Riffard: guitar
Quentin Aberne: bass
Boris Senon: drums
Nicolas Armendariz: keyboards

Sun Preachers play a sublime blend of Hard Rock/Psych Rock/Stoner Rock that takes influence from many great bands past and present such as Thin Lizzy, Sabbath and Clutch amongst others.

Their bio should tell you what you need to know.

"Founded in 2006 in Bordeaux, France, the band plays a kind of mix of the 70's hard rock cult and more obscure bands, from Black Sabbath and Captain Beefheart to Sir Lord Baltimore and Edgar Broughton Band. After the recording of a first unreleased demo, "Beauty of Perversion" in 2009, the band is releasing a brand new album, "Faces of Ashes" in may 2012.

The band is looking for a label, so the album is only available under mp3/FLAC files."


So what you have here is "Faces Of Ashes." - A 5 track blast and 35 minutes of hard rocking kick-ass stoner rock riffs to get your teeth stuck into.

This is some of the most catchiest rock I have heard this year. Vocalist Nicolas has vocals reminiscent of Phil Lynott in his prime. And this what give the album its edge. It has a sort of human frailty to them. But he can screech out the high notes when he wants to.

This is an album that will have you rocking in no time at all. This album feels like a brilliant greatest hits set rather than their first proper full length album.

If you into the above bands then your going to love this. This is 5 tracks of pure hard rock fury that blends all of the genres superbly well. Especially on tracks like "In the church of blind drunks, the preacher is one eyed man" and "Mountain queen and dirty white man".

The guys are currently trying to raise funds to release this on Vinyl. I hope they succeed as it's a perfect record for Vinyl. As this is a perfect homage to their heroes past and present. But this release still showcases   a band with a great modern feel for all things ROCK!!!!

You can download this brilliant release for free from  BandCamp right now!!! - So get over there and do it. You won't be sorry that you did.

Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

Blogspot
BandCamp


GOD'S OWN PROTOTYPE

Fall apart, every time you feel like... cover art

God's Own Prototype are a Post-Rock/Ambient/Post-Metal Band from Poland.

The members are:

Artur - guitar
Irek - guitar
Wojtek - bass
Tomek - drums
Irek emailed me about his band asking me to check them out. Well I loved the name of the band and so I did. What I got was something rather special indeed.

God's Own Prototype are an Experimental Post-Rock/Ambient/Post-Metal band taking influence from ISIS, Russian Circles and Pelican but adding an eerie atmosphere to their music.

They have just released their brilliant debut EP - "Fall apart, every time you feel like​.​.​." - A 7 song and 25 minute thrill ride showcasing this band's talents to highly outstanding effect.

It's a purely instrumental affair but these guys hold your attention to final seconds. Check out superb tracks - "Reframing", "Distance/Transpose" and my fave track "Effluence".

These guys are master musicians and know how to play a brilliant Post-Metal riff that fully demands your attention when listening to it.

The EP is expertly produced and played by all involved. And will have you coming back for more.

These guys surely do have a bright future ahead of them. I can't wait to see what they come up with next. File this under "Download This Now" as the band are offering it for Pay-Anything-You-Want-Type Deal on BandCamp. So get over there now. You know what to do.

Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

ARC OF ASCENT - THE HIGHER KEY REVIEW

The Higher Key cover art

Arc of Ascent are a Space Rock/Doom/Stoner Metal band from Hamilton, New Zealand.

The members are:

Craig Williamson - Bass/Vocals
John Strange - Drums
Sandy Schaare - Guitar

Arc of Ascent play a truly psychedelic, spacey blend of Doom/Stoner Metal that will take you to verges of outer space in no time. They play some very trippy heavy fuzz based Doom/Stoner Metal riffs.

They released an excellent debut album "Circle Of The Sun" in 2010 which was acclaimed across the Stoner Metal landscape.

Well two years later the guys are back with their brilliant follow up- The Higher Key. A 6 song and 43 minute psych journey of extraordinary psych-space-rock-doom-stoner metal riffs. 

This has been receiving rave reviews from blogs such as Doommantia and Temple Of Perdition. And it's not hard to see why. I had to see what all the fuss is about. Boy am glad I did check this amazing stoner metal astronauts as this album totally blew me away.

You will be amazed by the high quota of top-notch riffs. The way Arc of Ascent blend Space Rocks with modern Doom/Stoner Metal riffs is a joy to behold.

Opening Track "The Celestial Altar" gets right down to business in showcasing this great band's talents. Playing heavy loud bombastic Space Rock/Stoner Metal riffs with Craig's sublime vocals leading this intergalactic trio with mch gutso.

Next up is "Land Of Tides" which has elements of Monster Magnet and The Sword at their most psychedelic. But these guys have a much more original vision. The lyrics are absolutely bonkers but match the song perfectly well. By now this album should have you rocking now.

This is probably one of the best bands I have heard from New Zealand in a long, long time. 

"Search For Liberation" starts off with a riff that Dave Wyndorf would be proud to call his own. This 8:16 minute epic then goes all very spacey with some great earthly angelic vocals to match. But give it time the loud riffage soon kicks in. This is an song telling a hugely entertaining story.

All I can say is The Higher Key is the album that The Sword should of set out to make when making their Space Rock opus - Warp Riders.  Arc of Ascent shows how it should be done. The story, lyrics and riffs are all brilliantly created to portray a journey like no other you have heard this year.

This is an album for all us spaced-out Psych-Rock-Doom-Stoners to get lost in time and time again. This is only 3 tracks in. The other 3 tracks are fucking brilliant as well and contain the same top-notch psych out there Space/Stoner Metal riffs you will fall instantly in love with.

Especially Redemption and the 9:14 minute epic "Through The Rays Of Infinity" that takes what has came before it and blasts the volume upto 11. A classic psych spaced out masterpiece. Fucking Awesome.

The 43 minutes just flies by. You don't know what you have just listened to but you know this is one journey you want to take over and over again. This album has been on constant repeat on my MP3 player. I have been listening to it for at least a day for the past two weeks.

It's seriously a brilliant album you need to hunt down right now. The production is superb. You can hear every spaced out sublime Doom/Stoner Metal riffs to heavy loud perfection.

All I can say is get buying this brilliant album now from  BandCamp right now. This is a fucking masterpiece. Enough Said. 

Check This Great Band Below:


Check Out " Through The Rays Of Infinity ". A brilliant track from an amazing band.

Wednesday 16 May 2012

PIKE (THE BAND) INTERVIEW


To Cross the Great Divide Cover Art

Hi all. Well my next victims of hard-hitting Sludge Metal Investigations and Interviews are with brilliant Sludge/Stoner/Ppst-Metal Noise Makers – PIKE. Who's debut album “To Cross The Great Divide” has became my fave full length record of 2012.

I kindly asked Alex and the gang if I could interview them. They said Yes. So lets see what they have to say  

Q1 – First of all thanks for agreeing to this. Can you describe how your band came about or maybe a brief bio 

No problems, thank you for thinking of us! Pike came to be about four years ago, in the beginning of 2008. The band i played in at the time, a punk rock-outfit, were just splitting up and Alvin and Erik had just quit the band they were in, the fuzzrockers Menhiir. 

So basically we decided to start a band. Well, actually they had already decided to continue playing together and since I was out of a band and they needed bass and vocals, we decided to join forces. We didn't have a goal or anything, we just wanted to play some really heavy music and then it's just rolled on from there.

And so, it's really fun to be playing with my brother who is one of the absolutely best drummers I've played with, and one of the best I've heard actually. And Erik is an amazing guitarist, just brilliant. It's really great to be playing with two of your best friends and to be able to create something so enormous together. I'm really proud of us and of what we've accomplished so far.


Q2 – How would you describe your sound as you float between many genres such as Sludge, Doom, Stoner, Post-Metal. But you do it brilliantly well

That's probably the most difficult question to answer because, as you say, we kinda float in the middle of all the genres you mentioned. I usually just call it doom or sludge, because if someone asks and you answer "metal" most people think it's like Iron Maiden-metal, or Metallica-metal. If they're not into the whole scene of course. But yeah, doom or sludge I would say, if I would have to label it.

Q3 – Your debut full length is an amazing album. What is the inspiration for this album. I felt it was like a battle against the elements or a battle for survival at times. (I could be wrong but am happy to be told otherwise)

Thank you, we're glad you and hopefully a few others like it. The inspiration for this album has come from different places, literature, history and what not. And a lot of it is just from life, death and everything in-between. Some songs just come from an idea or an image that pops up in the mind, like At the End of Existence. 

That whole song is basically the dying breath of a person, the moment this person siezes to be. The soul leaving the body. And like I mentioned litterature, Ned Land is based on the character from Jules Vernes masterpiece 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and depicts Neds final journey and how he never makes it to shore again.

We never had a theme or a concept in mind for this album, but when we had these songs ready and we were ready to record them, we saw that all of them dealt with death in one way or another. And that's where the title comes from too, as a way to tie it all together. Someone crossing over, crossing the great divide. Basically the title is To Die. And it's a really cool title that we like a lot and I'm proud we came up with it.


Q4 – Who are your musical influences. Any artist that stands out for you.

We all have a lot of different influences and listen to a lot of different music, and have different favourite bands. If you look at my record collection you'll find everything from Bob Dylan to black metal, including mainstream pop, hip-hop and.. Yeah, there's a lot of different stuff going on for each of us. But some bands that we can all agree on is Slayer, Kyuss, Motörhead and of course Black Sabbath. Without Sabbath there wouldn't be a Pike.
Of course there are more bands and influences but it would be too long a list for you to publish.

Q5 – Sweden has a great international reputation for producing great bands in whatever genre. Seems to be like a musical mecca for bands to come from. What is your country's secret (My Faves are Truckfighters, Signo Rojo, Graveyard and Ghost)

I don't know if there is a secret.. Maybe it's all the darkness we have throughout the year? I really don't know. But I agree that it is quite impressive for such a small country to produce so many good bands and artists, not only in the metal-genre.

Q6 – Have you toured with any of the bands listed above or any other famous bands

No, we haven't toured with any of those guys. Actually we have yet to do our first, proper tour. We have played with Kongh a bunch of times, and they've become good friends to us. We've done gigs with Skraeckoedlan, Asteroid and El Gordo as well. 

And Ozo from Truckfighters produced our two demos (Beneath Death Valley (2008), Beyond the Surface (2009), both out of print, but we're hoping to re-issue them on vinyl sometime in the future) and they were also recorded in their studio in Örebro, Sweden.



Q7 – Is Pike a full time job. Or do you all have respective jobs, families etc that make Pike more of a hobby than anything else

No, Pike is not a full time job. If we wanted to make money we couldn't play the kind of stuff that we play. We do it because we love to do it, and because we have to do it. There never was a choice. 

When we first started playing together we all felt that this was it. I've never had the same feeling playing with other people as I have when I'm playing with Erik and Alvin.

I study at the University in Uppsala and Erik study at the university in Växjö, and Alvin have a job back home in Kungsör. So we're really spread out, wich makes it difficult for us to rehearse as much as we would like to, but we've never viewed Pike as a hobby. Pike is Pike.

Q8 – Do you get a lot of gigs or is it a case of where and whenever in your own hometown or other cities in Sweden.

As I mentioned earlier, we can't rehearse as often as we'd like to so we don't play a lot of shows right now. We did play a release party for the album on april 6th, and had a blast. So we'll see if we can do some one-offs this summer perhaps. But when we're done with our academic work the plan is to start hitting the road, in Sweden and Europe.

Q9 – How has the reaction been like to your music. National and International. Any good or bad experiences.

The reaction has been mostly good, I'd have to say. But it's a bit difficult at times when you this type of thing. People don't always get what were doing. Our first demo, Beneath Death Valley, got great reviews both in Sweden and internationally. 

But our follow-up Beyond the Surface, on which we started to stretch out the songs and went a bit more psychedelic, wasn't as well-received, at leats not in Sweden. It did great internationally, but in Sweden people just didn't seem to get it. They thought we were just smoking weed and recording 15-minute riffs without any thought behind it, wich wasn't the case at all. But the album has been well- received so far, and we're very pleased with that since we're very proud of what we have created.

Q10 – Your artwork for your new album really sets the mood for the overall tone for the album. Like a caged animal waiting to be released back into the wild. What influenced it.

Yes, I agree, it really fits the album perfectly. I'm not really shue what influenced. The idea came from som photos Erik had taken on a fishing trip and then played around with in Photoshop or something. But what influenced it?

 I don't know really, we just wanted that "feeling". And nature has always been interesting to us with all it's mysteries and we felt that we could get the right tone and feel if we went for some forest on the cover.

But it was a long process to get to where we ended up with it. When we settled with Mattias Lokgård to do the artwork, he immediately got what we were looking for in the artwork and he nailed it basically. Really great guy who has done a lot of art for us.




Q11 – I have to ask this question as it's really popular. Where do you stand on blogs and websites sharing your music. (As stated before. I never do on Sludgelord without the band;s permission. I bought the album out right from BandCamp)

I think it is a great way to get your music out there, and it is always good to have collaborations like that with different sites and whatnot, to get a bit of momentum going. But it has to be done right, and in complete understanding.

To have an album posted for free download for a limited time, or to have a song or two available for free is great marketing and something you could do in cooperation with a blog or site or on your BandCamp and whatnot. It's a way for the bands to let people know they exist, and a way for people to discover new music. But I wouldn't want to give away my work for free, all the time.


Q12 – What about the crackdown on various blogs and websites being shutdown by certain companies and authorities.

I'm not sure I've heard anything about that, so I can't give you a great answer there I'm afraid. But if they're sharing music illegally, then I can see why they're getting shut down.


Q13 – You recorded the album in one week in Jan 2011 (according to BandCamp anyway). Why the long delay in getting this superb album released.

Yeah, we had a week booked in the studio in january 2011, but it actually only took four days to get the recording done. The long delay is due to a lot of different reasons. First, we had the mixing and mstaering done, and this took a little bit longer than expected.

But the real reason is because we didn't get a label to release the album. That is what took the longest, so finally we decided that we would do it ourselves, so I started Death Valley Records.

And the artwork dragged on for ages as well, as we didn't really see eye to eye with the first artist we had on board. And Mattias Lokgård took a bit convincing, since he's usually really busy with his university-studies. And when we finally got all the pieces together, a year had passed since the recording.

Q14 – What are the future plans for PIKE. Any international touring plans or just usual plans.

The future plans for Pike is to continue to do what we do. We rehearse when we can, when we're all in the same place. We hope to do a one-off show or two during the remainder of the year. But not touring until our studies are finished, as we just can't fit a tour into our schedules as long as we're at the universities.

Music-wise we're working on new songs continously, but a new album is probably a year, maybe two, away. We're hoping to re-issue our demos on vinyl since they're out of print, and there's hopefully some merchandise in the works as well.

Q15 – Why The Name PIKE

The name Pike comes from the fish. That band is named after the fish. Erik and Alvin are both avid fishermen, and the pike is their favourite fish, and mine. And we thought it would be fitting to name our band after it since the pike is an evil, sinister fish. Even though we all love Sleep and High on Fire we didn't realize that Matt Pike is named Pike. 

But that was a pretty fun coincidence. Son, once and for all: Yes, we are named after the fish.

Q16 - Thanks for you time and answering the questions so honestly. All the best and I hope it all goes well for you in the future.

Thank you Steve, keep up the good work your doing. And keep spreading the gospel of Pike!

So Thanks To Alex and the rest of the PIKE crew. Check them out. Their album is still available from BandCamp and its fucking brilliant.

Check These Great Rockers Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

WRECK AND REFERENCE ARE BACK!!!

No Youth cover art

Wreck And Reference are a Drone/Doom/Experimental/Noise/Post-Metal Band from Howling Waste, California, USA.

Wreck And Reference are not an easy band to categorize. Nor are they an easy band to listen to. They released a brilliant debut release "Black Cassette" to huge acclaim early in 2011. I reviewed it here on the blog.

Well these weird hugely talented Noise-Rockers are back with their most diverse and challenging work to date. NO YOUTH.

A 10 song blast of out there Sludge/Noise/Glitch/Drone/Doom/Post-Metal/Experimental Weirdness. But believe me its fucking brilliant.

I can't put into words how weird and brilliantly creative this record is. You have to hear it for yourself. But be prepared for one of the craziest listens you will have heard all year.

Standout tracks include "Spectrum", "Cannot", "Obedience" and "Winter". The way this band goes through one genre to the next and mix it up like its been ripped through an Extreme Metal Blender is simple amazing to listen to at times.

This won't be everyone's taste but if you have the courage to listen to this superb release you will be rewarded with a brilliant album to check out time and time again.

Probably one of the best and most insane experimental records I have had the pleasure to listen to this year.

You can download this from BandCamp Pay Anything You Want Type Deal. So get downloading now.

Highly Recommended. 

Check This Great Band Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

ALASKAN/CO-PILOT SPLIT


split w/ Co-pilot cover art

ALASKAN and CO-PILOT are two brilliant Sludge/Post-Metal Bands who have released an awesome Split-Recording S/T Album.

ALASKAN are from Ontario, Canada.
Co-Pilot are from Houston, Texas, USA.

ALASKAN are current faves of mine who have been on this blog before here and here. So when these guys emailed about their amazing new split release with Co-Pilot then I am going to take notice. I should of noticed this sooner since Topon Das is involved once again. He is one of my fave producers and artist and mastermind behind legendary grindcore bruisers - FUCK THE FACTS.

But back to this great release. It's a 20 minute monster. Each band contributing brilliant 10 minute epic tracks to rock your fragile little world. Overall it's a 20 minute thrill ride you will never forget.

Full of passionate Sludge/Post-Metal riffs which both bands are masters at.

Co-Pilot's track - The Bering Sea is purely Instrumental but its one the heaviest instrumental tracks I heave heard this year. Beautifully composed and structured. This is a colossal song from a band I didn't know much about.

ALASKAN are one of my fave Post-Metal Bands around at the moment. Their two albums are still some of my faves I have discovered through running this blog. Well they don't disappoint on their side of things.

Euthanize is a 9:36 minute epic of heavy pounding atmospheric Sludge riffs that ALASKAN have became famous for. It slowly builds into a loud wall of noise before the usual business of sublime Post-Metal riffs kick in. Then your already hooked.

This is a great split-release and shows two bands at the top of their game. This is a release to enjoy as one full release as these two bands fit together perfectly. They are both amazing musicians and it shows fully on this superb release.

All I can say is download this amazing release now. As it's available on BandCamp right now on Pay Anything You Want Type Deal. You can buy the Vinyl from the links on the page as well.

So get downloading this brilliant blast of Sludge/Post-Metal from the links below. You won't regret it. Highly Recommended.

purchase LP here:
http://dwyerrecords.bigcartel.com/product/alaskan-co-pilot-split-lp
or
http://thetreatyoakcollective.bandcamp.com/

listen:
http://thetreatyoakcollective.bandcamp.com/
http://alaskan.bandcamp.com/
http://co-pilot.bandcamp.com/

DISASTROID - Band To Check Out


DISASTROID is a Hard Rock/Grunge/Stoner Rock Band From San Francisco, USA

The Members are:

Enver Koneya: Guitar/Vocals
Travis Williams: Bass
Braden McGaw: Drums
Robot : Horrible crying

I have to thank Alex for sending me about this great band. As they are a fucking kick-ass Grunge/Stoner Rock Band that you need to check out.

Their excellent bio should tell you what you need to know.

"From time to time one stumbles on a record that simply kicks ass. Disastroid's upcoming LP "Money and Guilt" is no exception. This rock epic takes the listener on a ride through a minefield of tempo changes, metric modulation, and other surprises that turn your guts. By and large it employs the best that rock has to offer while showcasing refined musicianship and purpose.

Huge guitar tone, heavy riffs, driving rhythms, and melodic vocals are the salient components of Disastroid's music. While their sound can be reminiscent to some of the heroes of 90's rock (Melvins, Rollins Band, Jesus Lizard, Soundgarden, etc.), the band has a hard time labeling their work. As frontman Enver Koneya points out "We have no real formula... we just make music that pleases ourselves. It just so happens that others like the sound as well."

Enver assembled Disastroid in San Francisco from spare parts he found on Craigslist. After recording an EP on his own Travis Williams jumped on board taking over the bass chair. Travis has had great influence on the direction of the group and over the past three years he and Enver have prolifically written and recorded three albums, most recently with Braden McGaw on drums.

Since their inception Disatroid has been busy. In addition to recording the group has been gaining fans steadily as they perform along the west coast. They've also managed to amass a devoted following in their home base of San Francisco, a city which tends to be oriented toward the clinically critical and the cynically hipster. They were recently featured in Thrasher Magazine and have accumulated tons of local and national attention. On Disastroid’s horizon is a tour to the Pacific Northwest to support of the release of "Money and Guilt".


Their new album "Money And Guilt" will be released on June 19th 2012. But the band have kindly given me two songs for you all to download right now.

"Low"
"Money and Guilt"

Download both of these excellent tracks as they show what this band does brilliantly well.

Mixing Grunge/Stoner Rock Riffs to perfection. Awesome Stuff.

If your looking for a brilliant hard-rocking Stoner Rock/Grunge Rock band then check these guys. Fucking Awesome.

If your into SoundGarden, KYUSS, Fu Manchu and DOZER then you will be in Stoner Rock Heaven.

Check This Great Band Below:

Website

XOZO


Farsight cover art

XOZO is a Sludge/Stoner/Hardcore Metal Band from Arnold, MD, USA

The members are:

Ben Price: Vocals, Drums, Guitar
Joe Jacklin: Guitar
Billy Carnes: Bass, Vocals

XOZO play a great blend of Sludge, Hardcore and Stoner Metal to loud and crushing effect. Taking influence from the whole Sludge, Hardcore, Stoner Metal spectrum, XOZO are a band forging their own identity in the world of Hard Rock/Metal.

They have just released their excellent debut album – Farsight. A 10 song and 38 minute blast of hard-hitting riffs you will instantly fall for like I did. The band call this a double EP but I think its best classed as an album.

Two of the members are from the excellent Sludge Metal Band – At The Graves who are very highly thought here at Sludgelord.

"Xozo. Pronounced "chozo." Featuring Joseph Jacklin on guitar (At the Graves, Revolta), Ben Price on drums/vocals (At the Graves, Revolta, Midnight Eye) and Billy Carnes on bass/vocals (Disassemble, Dry Clouds, The Lottery" 

But this band is a different beast altogether. Where At The Graves were all about spending time building upto a loud and heavy atmosphere. XOZO is just heavy full stop. There are no quiet interludes just pure loud Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs from start to finish.

Just strap yourselves in and be prepared to listen to top-notch tracks such as Clarity, Regress, Spires and Quark Star. Some cool titles in that mix.

The album is brilliantly produced which should have you rocking out in no time at all. Everything is loud and perfectly clear from start to finish which should have you coming back for more.

The Physical version of this excellent album isn’t released till June 2012 but you can get your Digital Copy now on BandCamp Pay Anything You Want Type Deal. This wont be around for long as it’s already showing on the top blogs.

So get some XOZO in your life. You won’t regret it. A great album by a great band and highly recommended. Enough Said.

Check This Great Band Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

Burning Man

Ronin cover art

Burning Man is a Sludge/Hardcore/Stoner Metal Band from Viana do Castelo, Portugal

The members are:

André Gonçalves - Vocals
João Parente - Guitar
Afonso Barros - Guitar
Jorge Pinto - Bass
José Ribeiro - Drums 

Burning Man play a fast paced blend of Hardcore/Sludge/Stoner Metal that is full of loud and angry passionate riffs. If you’re into Baroness, Red Fang and Mastodon then you’re going to dig these guys straight away. As they play the same type of music that those great bands play. In a slightly less progressive style.

Burning Man has just released their superb latest release – Ronin. A 6 song 20 minute blast of top notch modern Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs to get stuck into.

There are no epic tracks just quick and sublime short tracks that get the job done and it’s the better for it. They have a great hardcore vibe to their music which gives their music an extra angrier and leaner outlook when compared to other bands.

The album is played at breakneck speed that will leave you breathless at times.

The production is excellent. Everything is played loud and clear from start to finish. So no complaints from e.

All in all this is a breathtaking release to listen to at tines which really does take your breath away. I can’t recommend this album highly enough. Full of passionate riffs and vocals to match. Burning Man are here to stay.

You can download this awesome release for free from BandCamp right now. So get downloading now.

Highly Recommended.

Check This Excellent Band Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

ALEPH NULL


Aleph Null is a Sludge/Stoner Metal band from Germany

Aleph Null play an intense blend of Sludge/Stoner Metal with an influence of Grunge and NOLA type vibes.

They have just released their superb new EP – Dale. A 6 song and 38 minutes of hard-hitting Sludge/Stoner Metal riffage. Influenced by great bands past and present but adding a much welcome Grunge/NOLA type style to proceedings.

Aleph Null know how to rock out from start to finish. And rock out they do. The EP is full of standout Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs you will easily lose yourself in.

If your into Down, Corrosion Of Conformity, Alice In Chains and Soundgarden then you will have to check this great release now. All of the 6 tracks are brilliant examples on how to mix Sludge/Stoner Metal with grunge and pounding NOLA riffage.

Especially on tracks “Kill The Colossus” and “Protogrammer”.

Aleph Null are another outstanding band coming from Germany. They follow their fellow bands such as Wolves Carry My Name in releasing brilliant albums you can listen to time and time again. And this is no exception.

The band are currently giving this away on BandCamp and Dropbox. So get over there now and start downloading now. Aleph Null are a band you need to hear right now.

It’s simply another top-class Sludge/Stoner Metal album from a band that deserves as much publicity they can possibly get. So they can release more excellent releases like this. So do yourself a favour. Get checking them now!!!

Brilliant Stuff and Highly Recommended.

Check This Great Band Below:

Facebook
BandCamp

Check This Excellent Video of the guys in action.