Sunday 29 December 2013

Choice Cuts : Kyuss - Welcome To Sky Valley



Kyuss line – up for this recording was :

Josh Homme | Guitars
John Garcia | Vocals
Bass | Scott Reeder
Drums | Brant Bjork

Review :

Kyuss’ Welcome to Sky Valley was the eye opening album that introduced me to stoner rock, and as such, will always hold a special place in my heart, although many favour its predecessor, Blues for the Red Sun. The album simultaneously demonstrates both of the aspects of stoner rock that I love, with oppressively crushing, fuzzy, riffs like opener Gardenia’s ferocious introduction, featuring an inherent heaviness I have found nowhere else in metal music, balanced and offset perfectly with moments of psychedelic tranquillity, like the eerily slow and beautiful build-up of Space Cadet. For me, the album title was a literal ‘Welcome…’ to a new world of trippy, psychedelic heaviness, and I found the catchy riffs quickly becoming deeply ingrained in my mind, as well as creeping almost unconsciously into my guitar playing and becoming a huge influence for my own band, Overlord.

Although Welcome to Sky Valley was released in 1994, when the stoner rock movement was already well underway, its profound influence on the genre can still be heard in many of its most definitive records of the later 1990s, from Fu Manchu, to Monster Magnet, to Orange Goblin. Songs like ‘Demon Cleaner’ also provide glimpses of the more commercial, radio friendly direction that Josh Homme would take after the 1995 Kyuss breakup with Queens of the Stone Age, arguably the most prominent champions of stoner rock today.

Words and recommendation by : Tal Fineman

Album Details :

Welcome to Sky Valley is the third studio album Kyuss, originally released on June 28, 1994

Welcome to Sky Valley, track listing :


1).Gardenia  6:54
2). Asteroid 4:49
3). Supa Scoopa and Mighty Scoop 6:04
4). 100°2:29
5). Space Cadet 7:02
6). Demon Cleaner 5:19
7). Odyssey 4:19
8). Conan Troutman 2:12
9). N.O.( Across the River cover) 3:47
10). Whitewater 9:00


The album is arranged in three movements. The first three songs are movement I, the next three are movement II, and the last four are movement III. There is also a short hidden song on track 4.


Some copies of the German pressing came with a live-bonus-CD:


1. Gardenia (6:46)
2. Thumb (4:38)
3. Conan Troutman (2:18)
4. Freedom Run (7:54)


Blackfinger - S/T (Album Review)


Album Type : Full Length
Date Released :  30/1/2014
Label : The Church Within Records

Blackfinger- S/T , album track listing :

1. I am Jon
2. Yellowwood
3. Why God ?
4. On Tuesday Morning
5. As long As I`m With You
6. Here Comes The Rain
7. Keep Falling Down
8. My Many Colored Days
9. For one More Day
10. All the Leaves are Brown
11. Til Death Do Us Part

Bio :

Following his departure as long-time vocalist for Chicago doom legends TROUBLE in 2008, Eric Wagner promptly removed himself from the spotlight and began intently writing new material of a more personal nature. Those writing sessions would yield the musical inspiration for BLACKFINGER. Described adamantly as a “band” and not a “project”, BLACKFINGER began to take shape as a unit in 2009, with Wagner recruiting hometown friends Rico Bianchi and Doug Hakes on guitars, Ben Smith on bass, and Larry Piatz on drums. Over the course of the next four years, the group would meticulously craft and commit eleven tracks to tape. These tracks, with their many peaks and valleys of heaviness and melancholy, along with Wagner's signature vocals, would ultimately become the self titled debut album. “Blackfinger” will mark the singer’s first recorded output since TROUBLE's 2007 release "Simple Mind Condition".

Between 2010 and 2012, BLACKFINGER would find themselves playing a handful of high profile hometown shows in the Chicago area to great acclaim, and Dark Star Records would tease the crowds further with their release of the band’s “All The Leaves Are Brown” single. Add two triumphant appearances at Milwaukee’s Days Of The Doomed Fest I & II, and interest in BLACKFINGER quickly became a major buzz in the doom metal scene and beyond.

In August of 2013, fans of Eric and BLACKFINGER were put on notice that it would not be much longer before the debut record would be unleashed. BLACKFINGER signed a worldwide deal with Germany’s prestigious The Church Within Records, home to several of the most revered bands in the genre. While Dark Star Records will continue to handle all digital versions, the full length CD and limited edition vinyl promise to be out on The Church Within Records before the end of 2013. The story of BLACKFINGER has only just begun…

The Band :

Eric Wagner | Vocals
Rico Bianchi | Guitar
Doug hakes | Guitar
Larry Piatz | Drums
Ben Smith | Bass

Review :

Well, Trouble are hugely influential- no doubt about that. One of the original doom bands, they combined a Priest-esque twin guitar attack with the mournful vocals of Eric Wagner and used slow to good effect, along with archetypal “fast bits” that had not been seen since Sabbath. Trouble may have parted company with Wagner, but Wagner here is on top form and provides an expansive vocal performance on this, Blackfinger's debut.

First track “I am Jon” sets the scene and immediately, you can surmise that this is less Psalm 9 and more perhaps more Manic Frustration. Grooves abound- not twin guitar bite. The pace is relaxed, the riffing kind of like Fu Manchu crossed with Sabbath. In short: brilliant! “Yellowgod” continues the classic rock/metal goodness as a very enjoyable album begins to take shape. Keep listening, as your attention will be richly rewarded...

“Why God” may irk some who resented Trouble's religious themes without even listening to the track, but fuck it- the title is a worthy question to ask and any sub textual debate does not bother me.
“On Tuesday Morning” is mellow stuff and delves even deeper into classic 70's sounds; loud quiet dynamics and very relaxed drumming create a superb groove over which Wagner delivers a great performance.

Piano opens “As long as I'm with you” and features somewhat morose and nostalgic lyrics. The double tracking of the vocals is an effective production trick and the song, although technically a “ballad”, never feels insincere or cheesy. Weirdly, there is a Type O Negative like quality to this; gothic, wry, uplifting and mournful all at the same time. It carries the essence of true doom without ever getting musically noisy. Stunning.

“Here comes The Rain” drops a heavy riff straight away and the lumbering groove is back. A southern touch is at work here in the riffs and even vocals (think Pepper-era COC, maybe). There is also a cowbell (at last!). A bass and drum break shifts the pace and the track takes off into unchartered (thus far on the album) jam territory.

“Keep Falling Down” is acoustic led with Wagner's measured vocal. Te track is mellow and dreamy and is again imbued with classic rock while maintaining a doomy feel. “My Many Colored Days” (American spelling used): killer riff. Heavy sounds and vibes combine well here before the band take their foot off the gas (this is a high torque engine rather than a fast one, if that makes sense!) with “For One More Day” a track filled with regret and lovely vocal melodies.

“All The Leaves Are Brown” picks up the pace and ups the heaviness. A very insistent groove takes hold and you realise that this is a very, very good band. In fact, at this point I realised that the album was nearly done and, on first listen, I really didn't want it to end. I'll be honest; I expected either a Trouble re-tread/xerox or a decent but none stand out classic doom record. My expectations have been confounded. This is really classy stuff- right up there with anything Victor Griffin or even Wino has done.

“Til Death Do Us Part” closes this excellent record with grooves and panache. I cannot recommend this highly enough. The album, as I describe it here, may sound rooted in the 70's and classic rock/proto-metal- but there is much more to it than that. There are hooks, great performances and so on, but there is also the intangible “vibe”. I can't define it, but there is something unusual at work here. Give it a go and you may well think the same. For all those who underestimated this release: You bastards are gonna pay!

Words by : Richard Maw

You can buy it here from 31/1/2014

For more information :


Lurk - Kaldera (Album Review)



Album Type : Full Length
Date Released : 24/1/2014
Label : Doomentia Records

Kaldera, album track listing :

1. Below Flesh
2. Lorn
3. Ritual
4. 6 Feet, 6 Years
5. Sag Serene
6. Rest Unitaries
7. Cutting
8. Kaldera


Bio :

The four individuals hidden behind that ugly and ferocious monster known as LURK don’t like tags. Not only because it’d make them look as if they were actually looking at other bands for inspiration but also because it’d limit them. Sure thing, the words ‘dark’ and ‘fucking heavy’ are the most common words uttered with both admiration and fear about them, closely followed by ‘doom’, ‘sludge’ and whatever else suggest a form of music that takes a special pride in crushing its listeners until nothing is left but a vulgar mass of mangled flesh. But even more than their self-titled debut album released two years ago on both TOTALRUST (CD version) and SVART (LP version), their new creation ‘Kaldera’ dares taking another step into the unknown…

As they’re saying themselves, over the last two years, strengthened by multiple shows in their native Finland and around their home base of Tampere, they have developed into “a more complex beast, collecting more shades into our palette. The shifting, raw and at times very spontaneous manifestation of musical ideas is still the key, accompanying the determined and slow, crushing sounds of our doom.” Hell, there’s even shades of melody to be found in those dark ruins dedicated to humanity's failure. But first and foremost, what those eight tracks will prove with a hammer is how bloody catchy LURK has become.

Even if they might evoke to some a CROWBAR LP played at the half of its normal speed or maybe the depressing rumblings of ZATOKREV, those are just almost random points as LURK sound like no-one...but LURK. Enter ‘Kaldera’ at your own peril

Review :

Since reviewing the Lurk debut last year, it seems that the band has only gone from strength to strength. Finland is a dark place for much of the year and these Finns seem to have taken that to heart and imbued their music with a certain style of despair.

Doom, Sludge and a little black/death... all those elements are present again; this time with an even more expansive sound. The grooves of  “Below Flesh” are massive and ominous. The sound is thick and weighty. “Lorn” follows with glacial clean guitars and murky bass to start. The mix is murky in the best way for the style and the drums loosely hold the track together with some stylish. I noted the Crowbar influence in the first record, I believe- it is present again here and very welcome it is too.

Some keen dynamics keep things interesting before the gloom of  “Ritual” rears its doom filled head. Loud/quiet dynamics work well here with some serious and sombre guitar lines evoking despair effectively before a more weighty riff takes hold. The song-writing is well honed and shows how the band has tightened since their first record. Even in the seven minutes plus on this track, the band sound focused and unified.

“6 feet, 6 years” has strings, atmospherics and ideas in abundance- again, the sound is expansive and expanded from their first full length and the band seems to be spreading their wings and soaring higher and higher. 

“Sag Serene” sets up quite a groove from the off with gnarly bass and drums combining to lay a bedrock for the quite excellent riff that follows. The vocals are again a highlight- Kirk Windstein and LG Petrov are seemingly combined in one throat that delivers Lurk's message with power.

“Rest Unitaries” uses sinister tones and notation in its intro that sets up a track of creeping paranoia that builds to confusion and rage. “Cutting” features another powerhouse of a riff and delivers the album's shortest and sharpest shock. The track lurches with power and efficiency over its three and a bit minutes of playing time.
  
The title track is saved for last and, sure enough, “Kaldera” is worth the wait. The band flex their muscles over the nine mutes and eleven seconds that finish the record. The riffing is excellent- using weight, dynamics and creepy note patterns to get the point across.

I thoroughly recommend this album for anyone who has ever had any interest in Crowbar, Dragged Into Sunlight, Eyehategod or any of the best sludge/doom/blackened etc. bands that you can name. Atmospheric and creepy and also very, very heavy- Lurk have delivered a superb second album and one that you must hear in 2014... or as soon as you can.

Words by : Richard Maw

You can pre-order here

For more information :


Godhunter / Anakim Split 7" (Review)



Album Type : Split 7”
Date Released : 10/12/2013
Label : The Compound/Battleground Records

Godhunter / Anakim Split 7”, track listing :

1). Godhunter – Vulture’s Wake
2). Anakim – The Whimper of the Whipped Dog

Bio :

Following a steady surplus of independently-disbursed EPs and split releases since their 2009 origin, Tucson-based sludge thugs,GODHUNTER, unload a new split 7” with local crew, ANAKIM, as a prelude to their impending debut LP.

The GODHUNTER/ANAKIM 7” was mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege, and bears handcrafted artwork by Shona Crawford/Megaspore Studio. Pressed on blue wax in a one-time run of 300 copies, the split is available for preorders now exclusively through Earsplit Distro, a joint release between Earsplit’s label, The Compound, and GODHUNTER’s own Battleground Records.

In related news, GODHUNTER has put the final touches on their impending debut LP, City Of Dust, which will be released in the first quarter of 2014. Another cooperative release between Battleground/The Compound, City Of Dust will be released digitally and on CD early in the year followed by a massive LP edition shortly afterwards; full details on this epic chalice of brutality will be declared in the final days of this year.

Review :

I’ve never reviewed a split 7” before, apart from one unfortunate incident at a tattoo and piercing convention… but whereas that was mildly disconcerting, this particular 7” in question contains two tracks, from Tuscon’s Godhunter and Anakim.  They have thrown two mighty tracks out into the world, full of doom, fuzz and boisterous riffery.  If it’s heavy you want, these bands from Tuscon have got what you need. 

First up is Godhunter, a five-piece sludge/stoner outfit whose track ‘Vulture’s Wake’ is a grunting, growling metal beast, its rage barely kept in check, always seeming to be just one chord away from pure sonic barbarity.  It’s a song that chugs like a jet-black steam train, dark plumes of smoke belching up into the air as it hurtles along its dastardly musical trajectory.  ‘Vulture’s Wake’ is a song draped in black and flying high in the stoner stratosphere.  A perfect way to get acquainted with Godhunter’s brand of sonic filth. 

Then we have Anakim.  This four-piece brings us ‘The Whimper of Whipped Dogs’, over five minutes of doom-drenched horror music that insidiously slinks into your ears with a muted guitar intro, adding a layer of foggy tension which leads to drums and a doleful solo.  Ed Slocum’s vocals bark out with a wolfish menace and, when things get heavy, the get really heavy.  Like listening to Black Sabbath on a stormy day, Anakim’s ‘The Whimper of Whipped Dogs’ is brooding, atmospheric and gripping. 

This split 7” is a great way to get introduced to two startlingly good sludge bands, who will no doubt be going on to create some really amazing, filthy music in the (hopefully) near future.  Until then, check this out and get your speakers nice and dirty. 

Words by : Chris Markwell

You can buy it here

For more information :


Richard Maw - Top 25 Album of 2013

25. Autopsy- The Headless Ritual



No one does DM quite like Autopsy. This was a brilliant return. If I ahd listened more extensively, I have no doubt it would climb higher.


24. Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats- Mind Control


Excellent follow up to Blood Lust- no creepy atmospherics this time, but worthy nonetheless.


23. Forest Swords- Engravings


Pagan themed electronica. Evocative of the woods and the earth.

22. Pentagram Chile- The Malefice


Feral and old school metal. Incredible live, too.


21. Satanic Dystopia- Double Denim Shotgun Massacre


Blackened horror from the Northern Wastelands. Horrible.


20. Avatarium- S/T


Classy and haunting doom with a folk twist. Unusual and hypnotising. A bit of a late entry into the albums of the year list- its stature may grow, I suspect.


19. Monster Magnet- Last Patrol



A real grower of an album. Psychedelic and sprawling, the best in a  long time from Wyndorf. I f I had more time to listen to it, it would most likely climb a lot higher in the list.


18. Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds- Push The Sky Away


Another excellent record from a man who is much cooler than you. Uncategorisable stuff and all the better for that.

17. Monkey3 -The 5th Sun


Excellent instrumental stoner goodness from Switzerland.


16. Deicide- In The Minds of Evil


The strongest record in a while from Glen's not so merry men. Death metal, as it was and always should be.


15. Motorhead- Aftershock



A cracking return from the best rock n roll band in the world. Motorhead have influenced everybody and remain the gold standard of integrity in music. If this wasn't “only” the latest in Motorhead's incredible catalogue it would feature a lot higher in this list. Fact: they have never made a bad album. The real deal in every way. We will miss them when they are gone.

14. Death Angel- The Dream Calls For Blood


Rip roaring thrash from a somewhat overlooked band. If you haven't heard it... do yourself a favour and argue for them in the “great thrash pub debate” (Why is it only four bands in the big four? Why aren't Testament included? Is German thrash better than the Bay Area stuff? Who actually likes Joey Belladonna's vocals? Overkill- surely the most consistent of the lot?!).


13. Skeletonwitch- Serpents Unleashed


Great thrash with a blackened twist. Straight ahead, short and sweet.


12. True Widow- Circumambulation



Trippy and dreamy, this is an album to put on and relax to or while you're taking a long look in the mirror (soul searching, not cocaine).


11. Victor Griffin's In-Graved- S/T


Doom legend makes classic 70's style rock record. Some cracking stiff on here. Even the Jethro Tull cover works well. A fine follow up to the Place of Skulls catalogue.


10. The Fall Of Every Season- Amends


One man proggy doom project that blew me away when I first heard it. Sprawling and cold sounding.


9. Sepultura- The Mediator Between The Head and Hands Must Be The Heart


Once one of metal's leading lights, the band's star has dimmed in the last 15 years, but they have made consistently great music for over a decade. What a shame that some won’t give them a chance. Forward thinking and unique, one of my favourite bands of all time.


8. Icons Of Brutality- Between Glory and Despair


Excellent Dutch death. This is how it should be done. Raw and vicious.


7. Immolation- Kingdom of Conspiracy


Brutal songs, blasts and production. This is thoroughly modern death metal.


6. Hail Of Bullets- III The Rommel Chronicles


Historical biography collides with ripping death-doom. Eeeurggghhh!


5. Hypocrisy- End Of Disclosure


Superlative Swe-death. Extra terrestrial themed and with brilliant playing, songs and RIFFS! I loved this album as soon as I heard it.


4. Alter Bridge- Fortress



Melodic hard rock/metal that is dark, American and thoroughly modern. Their best record so far and, no doubt, a gateway for young fans to one day move on to more extreme fare. 

3. Rotting Christ- Kata Ton Daimona Eaytoy


I have listened to this countless times. Not black, not goth, not thrash, not death, not trad, but combines the best of those genres... Very different and very cool. What an album.


2. Carcass- Surgical Steel


Stunning record. Is it their best?! Possibly. Some of the passages are simply breath taking. If there is one death metal album from 2013 you should buy, it is this. I said buy- not download/steal (spotify). Support the people who enrich your life.


1.Clutch- Earth Rocker


What can be said? A more complete album is hard to find- across the decades the list would be relatively short. I genuinely think this will become an all time classic. Rock music at its best. Songs, personality, musicianship; the record has it all in spades. I haven't heard an album of its type that is this good in years. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone.


The list above reflects how much I have listened to albums, enjoyment etc. As usual, it is by no means definitive but the top ten is locked down.


There are several albums that deserve honourable mentions too- indeed, on another day they may have made the list. Sadly, I have not had enough time to really immerse myself in some of these. I do the following a disservice that I hope to rectify: Grave Miasma- Odori Sepulcrurum, Spitiual Beggars- Earth Blues, Zombification- At The Graves of Eternal, Trouble- The Distortion Field, Agrimonia- Rites Of Separation, Howl- Bloodlines, Secrets of The Sky- To Sail Black Waters, Age of Taurus- Desperate Souls Of Tortured Times, Down Among The Dead Men, Procession- To Reap Heavens Apart, Tombstones- Red Skies and Dead Eyes. All great bands with albums that deserve more of my attention for sure.

Saturday 28 December 2013

MIST - Demo 2013


Demo 2013 cover art 

Mist is a Doom Metal Band from Ljubljana, Slovenia

The members are:

- Lead vocals : Nina Spruk
- Rhythm guitar & backing vocals: Ema Babošek
- Lead guitar : Nina Grizonič
- Bass : Neža Pečan
- Drums : Mihaela Žitko

Mist is a Doom Metal Band starting to receive a whole truckload of praise from the Doom Metal Scene for their excellent Demo release. So it's my turn to fall under their magical doom based spell.

Influenced by bands such as Black Sabbath, Pentagram, Candlemass, Coven, Saint Vitus - Mist have a style all of their own. Dark, brooding and creepy based riffs will make you a fan from the start. Even though the Demo is two tracks and 8 minutes long, it's more than enough time to become a fan of this excellent band.

Mist have already supported Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats and this demo release proves that they have a very bright future indeed. They have written some superb riffs and lyrics to rock out to. Lead Vocalist - Nina - definitely has something about her. She is on fine form through out. It helps that Nina is backed up by a great band of musicians who know how to play a great Doom based riff.

This is Occult/Doom Metal of the highest order. Mist have the potential to be something special in the years to come. I can't wait to see what they do next.

Demo 2013 is available to buy on BandCamp Buy Now Download. So get downloading now. You won't regret it. There is also a Physical CD being sold as well.

The New High Priestesses of Doom Metal have truly arrived. Awesome Stuff.

Check The Band From Links Below

Check Mist live in action from their recent support slot with Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats


No Trust - Unfound

Unfound cover art 

No Trust is a Heavy Metal/Death Metal/Sludge Metal band from East Bay, CA, USA

The members are:

Zach Guzman
Ben Guzman

"No Trust is a metal band from The East Bay California formed in 2010 by brothers Ben Guzman on guitar and vocals, and Zach Guzman on drums. They create a massive sound as a two piece, keeping an aggressive approach and always focusing on the power of the groove. 2013 brings the release of Unfound, their first full length effort."

The above description intrigued me regarding No Trust. They create a massive sound as a two piece - well I am happy to report that No Trust are indeed very LOUD indeed. And they have written an excellent well thought out hard-hitting album packed full of blazing riffs.

Sure the album is a bit under produced but you can't deny how talented No Trust actually are. If you like your Sludge Metal with plenty of Heavy Metal and Death Metal vibes then Unfound is the album for you.

And can these guys play. They feel like a 5 Piece Band instead of a duo. The albums first two tracks - Common Thread and Darkness Reaches - gets this album off to a great start. Hard-hitting riffs with brutal vocals to match. Ben is a man possessed on Guitar and Vocals. And his brother - Zach - is like an out of control madman on the drums. These guys know how to write a mean fucked up tune with plenty of menace and bite to scare the hell out of you.

If you're a fan of early Mastodon then you have to check these guys out as No Trust play Progressive Sludge Metal that Mastodon are well known for. But these are no mere copycats. No Trust add more hard-hitting vibes mainly from their Death Metal influences coming to the party.

3rd Track - Bottom Feeder - is another one lean mean hard-hitting bastard of a track. The riffs may be down-tuned at first but you can sense the danger lurking in the background and once the band turn evil there is no turning back. Definitely one of the albums standout tracks.

If you like the first 3 tracks then no doubt you're going to love the rest of the album like I did. Unfound is an unflinching portrayal of Progressive Sludge Metal you won't easily forget. Other standout tracks to check out are - A King - A Rose, Purging All and Of Sound Mind.

Unfound is an excellent album for all you prog sludge metal fans to check out. The album is available on Buy Now Download from BandCamp. So if you want something dark and violent then this is the album for you.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Check The Band From Links Below

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