ALBUM REVIEW: Bong, "Thought and Existence"

By: John Reppion

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 02/05/2018

Label: Ritual Productions

This is IMAX for the ears - rolling sound-waves as far as the third-eye can see - never boring, never repetitive, an ever evolving  journey through a riffed rift in time and space

“"Thought and Existence" CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). The Golden Fields

2). "Tlön Uqbar Orbis Tertius"

The Review:

"Thought and Existence" is something like the forty-fourth release from Newcastle's Bong and is officially their eighth full length studio record, which isn't bad going for a band that's been around for thirteen years. Trippy, heavy, hypnotic, psychedelic, euphoric, spacey, massive, awe inspiring, mythic... all good words which could be, and have been, used to describe Bong’s previous output (most recently 2015's epic "We Are, We Were, and We Will Have Been"), and all of which work equally well for this latest offering. I will probably use most of them again below.

"Thought and Existence" is thirty-six and a half minutes long and consists of two tracks: 

"The Golden Fields" opens with spacey gong-bath ambience and one of vocalist/bassist Dave Terry's spoken, sermon-like, poetic intros. Mike Vest's guitar drones swell, and swell, and swell and then Mike Smith's massive drums kick in. This is IMAX for the ears - rolling sound-waves as far as the third-eye can see - never boring, never repetitive, an ever evolving  journey through a riffed rift in time and space.  Smith's drums on "Tlön Uqbar Orbis Tertius" let us know that this is more of an overtly psych chapter; a second, more mesmerised, movement. Changes are subtle and unhurried, yet deeply effecting. Looping layers of drone which gradually grow in size and potency until your brain and body are vibrating at exactly the same fizzy-boned frequency. 

Bong are a band who can make a cover of Pink Floyd's "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" last half an hour and still be something that is an absolute pleasure to hear. 

"Thought and Existence" is a journey through sound, a genuine trip into and through the other-world the band conjures so expertly and effortlessly. Caution: Do Not Operate Heavy Machinery While Listening to Bong. Listening to "Thought and Existence" May Cause Out of Body Experience. Keep Out of Reach of Children.

“Thought and Existence” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: 11Paranoias - “Reliquary for a Dreamed of World”

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 28/10/2016

Label: Ritual Productions

What sets 11PARANOIAS apart from other bands operating in the realms of psychedelic heaviness is the otherworldly atmosphere they conjure. Every note is enshrouded in a hazy fog that lends their music a darkly unsettling feel.

“Reliquary for a Dreamed of World” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Peripheral Metamorphosis

2). Destroying Eyes

3). Avallanius

4). Mutus Lieber

5). Meditation on the Void

6). Phantom Pyramid

7). Milk of Amnesia

The Review:

11PARANOIAS are a rare example of a super group that are as good, and possibly even better, than their constituent parts. Featuring Mike Vest (Bong, Blown Out, etc.) on guitar, Adam Richardson (Ramesses) on bass/vocals and Nathan Perrier (Capricorns) on drums, the band fully deliver on their impeccable heavy credentials, as demonstrated on previous LP “Stealing Fire From Heaven”. Expectations of greatness weigh heavy on new LP “Reliquary for a Dreamed of World” and 11PARANOIAS rise to the occasion and then some.

Opener “Peripheral Metamorphosis” wastes no time in getting down to business as the band launch straight into a huge, treacly riff. This track acts as a satisfying reminder of all that makes 11PARANOIAS great; minimal punishing riffs that bludgeon the listener senseless whilst elevating their consciousness to a higher plain, striking a delicate balance between hypnotic repetition and organic progression. What sets 11PARANOIAS apart from other bands operating in the realms of psychedelic heaviness is the otherworldly atmosphere they conjure. Every note is enshrouded in a hazy fog that lends their music a darkly unsettling feel. The band also show a rare grasp of dynamics, sometimes falling away to a hushed, restrained quiet that makes their ferocious onslaught all the more terrifying when it arrives.

11PARANOIAS marked themselves out previously by their inclusion of weirder elements that stretch beyond the standard boundaries of doom. “Reliquary for a Dreamed of World” sees them fully embrace these influences with incredible results. Monstrous, sixteen-minute highlight “Destroying Eyes” begins with their characteristic leaden riffs but as the track progresses the tempo slowly picks up until the track blossoms into a high octane stoner punk explosion. Relentless filthy baselines drive the track to ever-higher levels of intensity, a glorious racket that sounds like the Stooges jamming with Acid Mothers Temple as Yob set the controls for the heart of the sun. “Phantom Pyramid” sees the band embrace extended periods of clean guitars to create an ominously intoxicating two chord slow burn that eventually erupts into molten distortion. This track sees them move away from doom to a more psychedelic rock sound although still crushingly heavy, like an iron-clad Bardo Pond. This bleeds seamlessly into the storming finale of “Milk of Amnesia”. Based mostly upon one churning riff of almost garage-rock simplicity, the band throws everything they have into a four minute adrenaline rush of primal ferocity. Its impact is all the more devastating in contrast to the longer, drawn out songs that precede and its unexpected immediacy makes for a brilliant end to the album.

“Reliquary for a dreamed Of World” is an incredible release from 11PARANOIAS. It sees the band raise their already impressive game to another plane with a cosmic onslaught on the senses that makes all other psychedelic doom bands sound like Oasis in comparison. This is the album that should make the band member’s other achievements irrelevant; what matters is that they were involved in the creation of this monumental record.

“Reliquary for a Dreamed of World” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Zaum - "Eidolon"

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 24/10/2016
Label: I Hate Records

“What makes Zaum’s music so intoxicating is the sheer density of their sound. Layers of synths, sitars, flutes and who knows what else, build up to create a foundation of all-encompassing drone for the bands epic compositions.  Prepare to be transported to a higher realm.”

 

“Eidolon” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Influence of the Magi

2). The Enlightenment

The Review:

“Eidolon” is a term from ancient Greek literature that refers to a spirit-image of a living or dead person. It is an appropriate title for Zaum’s new album given the ageless, haunted soundscapes contained within.

Few bands can touch the New Brunswick doom duo in terms of sheer hypnotic atmosphere. “Eidolon” sees them raise their game once more with two 20 minute behemoths, “Influence of the Magi” and “The Enlightenment” that build on their impressive previous releases. Imagine the relentless riff onslaught of Om circa “Conference of the Birds” combined with the wider sonic palette of their later work and blown up to symphonic scale. This will give you a good impression of Zaum’s mind-expanding, heavy grandeur.

What makes Zaum’s music so intoxicating is the sheer density of their sound. Layers of synths, sitars, flutes and who knows what else, build up to create a foundation of all-encompassing drone for the bands epic compositions. Chris Lewis’ drumming provides a solid backbone for these mammoth voyages into the beyond but Kyle McDonald’s bass is the key ingredient to Zaum’s success. From spacious, ghostly chords to crushing distorted riffs, he utilises an arsenal of effects to give the impression of the band being a mighty legion rather than a mere duo. There is a wide spectrum of vocals on display here too, switching from spectral chants to throaty roars and everything in between to meet the demands of these complex journeys.

“Eidolon” is another transcendent release from Zaum that sees them go further down their singular path into the heavy unknown. Prepare to be transported to a higher realm.

“Eidolon” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

FFO: Om, Bong, Sleep, Earth

Dark Buddha Rising - 'Inversum' (Album Review)

By: Mike Wilcox

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 25/09/2015

Label: Neurot Recordings

While it would be kind of nice to be able to pull up a specific riff, to play a certain part for that certain someone, Dark Buddha Rising make you earn those riffs.  By the end of it you’re transported into their world.  And you aren’t the least bit sorry about it.  This album is like a dark communion with the earth and now that you’ve had a taste you can’t wait for more…

“Inversum” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). ESO

2). EXO

The Review:

Dark Buddha Rising make me feel like I’m in some sort of deprivation tank when I’m listening to their newest album, “Inversum”.  Over the duration of the twenty four minutes that is the album’s first track, “ESO”, the listener goes from drone to sludge to a harrowing stoner vibe that Black Sabbath fans will instantly pick up…and when the stark vocals come in, almost chanting in this dark ritualistic atmosphere, this seductive vibe, you are brought to the epitome of Stoner Metal.  With a structure that allows room for building organic material and adding to it as the overall momentum grows, “ESO” takes you through what would be an entire album’s worth of music to many.  The track leads you out in a rather unique way.  There’s some doom drone, that’s to be expected.  It’s good.  If Electric Wizard re-did the cult classic Heavy Metal it would probably sound something like this.  The guitars and effects are then utilized to create a static wash, a repeating and harsh echoing sound, and you’re suddenly dropped into this undeniably Melvins-esque jam with the last three or so minutes sounding like some sort of long lost White Zombie one off.  It’s fantastic.

As “EXO” opens into something reminiscent of a David Lynch soundscape, the listener is quickly escorted into thick rhythmic pounding met with a two note ominous drone and a surreal manipulation of guitar effects casting a haze over the entire mix…and then you realize that there are seventeen minutes left of this (also) twenty four minute long track…this is just the beginning…  The floor gives way to the sonic stoner hearted riff that follows.  A unique attribute of Dark Buddha Rising’s “Inversum” is that the tracks are actually not terribly complicated- there are something like five different notes used in “EXO”…or damn near close to it- but stretched so far out, filled with complimenting instrumental sounds, that you lose sight and feeling of the fact that it’s a single track.  That’s the beauty of their drone.  While it would be kind of nice to be able to pull up a specific riff, to play a certain part for that certain someone, Dark Buddha Rising make you earn those riffs.  By the end of it you’re transported into their world.  And you aren’t the least bit sorry about it.  This album is like a dark communion with the earth and now that you’ve had a taste you can’t wait for more…

‘Inversum’ is available here

FFO: Saturnalia Temple, Bong, Horse Latitudes, Loinen

Band info: facebook | bandcamp

Bong - ’We Are, We Were And We Will Have Been’ (Album Review)

By: Joosep Nilk

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 26/05/2015

Label: Ritual Productions

In the form of their seventh full-length, Bong are offering an alluring amalgam where they’ve shedded their usual abysmal heaviness in exchange for a slightly more mild, yet still fathomless venture into unscathed spheres.

’We Are, We Were And We Will Have Been’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Time Regained

2). Find  Your Own Gods

The Review:

Having previous released six full-length releases where the average track’s running-time I would assume falls somewhere in the 15 minute-range, Bong are obviously not seeking to win general acclamation. They seem to reside in an untouched mythical land of their own where patience and attentiveness have yet to be rendered lost arts. If allowed a simile, Bong’s craft might be called a rift, and a massive one at that, opening to something otherworldy and casting light on what was previously not evident, to be allowed a look into something larger than itself. They are true masters of aural weaving and once you sit down amidst their all-encompassing tone it’s difficult to not feel soothed by it.

A shared title of both a Proust novel and the opener of Bong’s seventh outing, with ’Time Regained’ Bong waste none and immediately set down the drone, which is no less than tremendous. Building onto the ominious eruption and setting into a measured drumming pattern, it steadily builds towards the towering proclamation that you’ll meet amidst the hum, as the voice declares ’We are giants in time’. None of it is to terrorize or intimidate but to simply lay claim to the separate paradigm of which they are indisputable kings. Meditative, propulsive drone through not only instruments but also voice! Apt kings indeed.

Whereas the first track was more of a statement of intent, the slightly lengthier second outing delves further into the chasm. Carrying the title of ’Find Your Own Gods’, after the poetic decree that professes the necessity of seeking out genuine truths on one’s own, it begins forebodingly with the guitar-licks glistening and giving off the audible equivalent of glancing at a near-still gleaming water surface. Then the drumming comes in, first in the form of bongo hits, deliberately sparse and tribal sounding, as if embarking on some naval voyage. The sitar and synths bring along a certain sense of profundity, as if Bong’s vessel was seeking to reach the very breaches of infinity. That sense is indeed most fitting when you revisit the utterance heard prior and also consider the choice of album title. The sounds come billowing, at times intensifying and receding, guiding into a serene momentum. Flowing in accord with the glacial pace it set out with, they gradually invade the recesses of your mind and erode all redundant thoughts. As the cymbals come in alongside the bongos, the resonance has grown way denser and concepts have long lost any clear and discernable meaning. Not that any notions were crucial here to begin with.

In the form of their seventh full-length, Bong are offering an alluring amalgam where they’ve shedded their usual abysmal heaviness in exchange for a slightly more mild, yet still fathomless venture into unscathed spheres. The compositions sound so muffled and timeworn but it seems completely appropriate when delving into matter so permanent. It’s more of a mini-album compared to Bong’s usual colossal outings, but it’s surely one capable of cleansing one’s being of the inessential, thus being no mere digression but a necessary turn to reclaim that which is actual and substantial. Cosmic doom at its best.

’We Are, We Were And We Will Have Been’ is available here

Band info: Facebook | Bandcamp

BONG - Stoner Rock - Album Review

Album Type:Full Length

Date Released: 25th January 2014

Label: Ritual Productions

Stoner Rock, album track listing:

1.Polaris

2.Out Of The Aeons

Album Info:

BONG have summoned the tones of the elder gods with their epic new genre-defining album, ‘Stoner Rock‘, their fourth full-length release on Ritual Productions.

BONG are the ultimate drone-lords of the cosmos and with ‘Stoner Rock‘ have rewritten the commandments of a genre as they explain:

“It is a tongue-in-cheek dig at our usual classification as stoner rock and what the term has come to represent. The idea is to create our own definition of ‘stoner rock’ by creating an album so utterly stoned and repetitive to be a million miles away from the usual definition.”…they continue…”Those who know Bong already will get both the humour and the philosophical redefinition… those who don’t know us will either get it when they listen or will never understand BONG at all.”

Review:

So we have a new album by seminal Drone/Ambient/Doom Metal overlords – Bong. Stoner Rock. Wait a minute. Hold the phone. Stoner Rock.

So Bong’s press release says this is their interpretation of a Stoner Rock album as they have been called a Stoner Rock band in the past. What.. – Who called Bong a Stoner Rock band. They are anything but. Have they heard their previous releases especially their excellent last album.

Bong, Stoner Rock. Seriously. WOW. Maybe I am getting old or out of touch with the genres. As Bong’s new album – Stoner Rock – is anything but Stoner Rock. It is a 73-minute sonic odyssey full of fast-paced Stoner Rock riffs that will get your heart racing.

Seriously – No – This is BONG people. When does Bong play fast-paced riffs. This is Bong playing slow-paced music full of heavy atmospherics, which is what they do best. The album features 2 songs both running for around 36 mins each.

First track – Polaris – is a36-minute musical odyssey into the drone-based minds of this highly creative musical collective. It embraces drone-based atmospherics with subtle hints of Doom Metal. Bong are playing tricks with your mind as they include drone/doom based riff trickery here as they make you a part of their magical drone-based wonderland. It is a journey you will not soon forget as Bong blend doom/drone noises with no Stoner Rock riff or vibe in sight. This is the soundtrack to another world waiting to be awakening from its long peaceful slumber. Hypnotic Doom/Drone Metal at it’s best.

You may think nothing much is happening on this track but you will be wrong as Bong are masters at making the smallest of noises and riffs sound absolutely huge. And boy do they impress here. The band are on fine form through out with each band member playing their part in bring the world of Stoner Rock to life.

Second track – Out Of the Aeons – starts off with a pulsating Drone/Doom Riff, which lasts almost the entire song. Drums and guitars barely move out of first gear while still maintaining a majestic presence before Bong start adding ambient-based tribal noises into their sound. This track is a concept piece about making contact with an sentinel being or that sentinel being contacting humanity as Bong include a cool spoken verse featuring out of this world lyrics which sorts of embrace the vibe that a lot of Stoner Rock bands play on.

Stoner Rock is another brilliant release from these visionary rockers and only enhances their reputation as being one of the worlds leading Doom/Drone Metal bands. Stoner Rock may not appeal to all but, for long-time fans like myself – this is the perfect soundtrack for who worship at the place of Bong. And there is no better place to be right now.

An incredible album that only Bong can deliver. Now lets see what happens if we start calling Bong a Pop Band.

Brilliant. End Of.

Stoner Rock will be available to buy on CD/Double Vinyl from Ritual Productions now and Double Vinyl will be released Feb/Mar 2014.

Brilliant and Highly Recommended.

Written by Steve Howe

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