BandCamp Album Of The Week: Wolf Counsel - Vol 1. (Album Review)

Album Type: Album

Date Released: 30^th January 2015 – Digital/27^th February 2015 - Vinyl

Label: Self Released

Vol. 1 – Track Listing

1.The Gathering 00:30

2.Visions 07:13

3.Battles 07:02

4.Seeking Myself To Live 05:05

5.Wolf Counsel 05:03

6.Passages 06:07

7.She 04:58

8.Now Is Here 05:51

9.Uneven Twins 04:49

Bio:

WOLF COUNSEL came into existence in 2014 when an archetypal music-possessed veteran bassist/vocalist/songwriter merged his enthusiasm for Bass-oriented music and a great appreciation of heavy riffs into a new band. Primarily rooted in the style of late 70s and 80s prototype DOOM their sound quickly developed a very heavy signature drawing influences from classic Metal, early 90s DOOM, Sludge and Stoner sounds.

Even before WOLF COUNSEL the original creator always had a deep interest in the arts of uncompromising spiritual self-development and strong philosophic views in order to evade this mundane simplistic world. These views and ways are strongly reflected in their lyrical and stylistic obsession.

Members

Bass, Vocals, Rhythm Guitars, Drums, Music, Lyrics by Ralf Winzer Garcia

Lead/Solo Guitars by Tom Kuzmic and Andreas Reinhart

Drums (Live) by Reto Crola

Review:

Wolf Counsel's debut album is one I've been tracking for a few months now ever since the band posted a couple of tracks online from their debut album – Vol 1. Wolf Counsel play an intriguing style of Psychedelic Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal with hints of classic 70s Hard Rock for one loud and crazy journey.

The album opens up with a 30 second song called - Gathering - which is a soundclip of a pack of wolves either in distress as it's very disturbing to hear and makes you feel very uneasy. The band then eventually opens with the storming 2nd track - Visions - that Wolf Counsel play to their full advantage of noise and scary moods. Coming off as a trippy hybrid of Black Sabbath, Monster Magnet and Saint Vitus. The vocals are steeped in warped crazy doom and gloom theatrics that have a strange and hypnotic feel to them. Lead vocalist – Ralf – sounds like a spaced out and tripper version of Dave Wyndorf channelling Ozzy Osbourne at times.

The music crackles with violent and sinister energy. 3rd track - Battles is song firmly rooted in Psychedelic Doom Metal with hints of modern Sludge/Stoner Metal grooves that carries on the unsettling feel of the album. Its one crazy addictive ride that proves Wolf Counsel is definitely worth your time. For the Fourth track - Seeking Myself To Live - the band venture into Thin Lizzy dual guitar worship with traces of sublime 70s Hard Rock. Add some crazy Ozzy inspired vocals then you have one of the standout tracks on the album. This song is fuelled by the riffs and vibes of the legendary 70s Hard Rock scene.

It's the perfect combination of modern Doom/Stoner Metal matched against classic retro-rock theatrics. Time to get your horns and air guitars to the ready as this song is primed for dangerous excitement of the highest order. 5th track - Wolf Counsel - is a darker affair especially with the lyrical content as it ventures further into the world of occult rock. The album is now in full confident swing with the band comfortable playing the odd progressive musical note here and there even if the mood doesn't call for it.

The 2nd half of the album more than matches the first half as Wolf Counsel venture into seedier doom/stoner metal territory to entice you with. It's an addictive and wild ride where the fuzzy theatrics of songs such as Passages and Uneven Twins - show you Wolf Counsel are brimming full of confidence through out the album. And why not? - As they've created a heavy pounding beast that will hopefully find them an appreciative audience within the Doom/Sludge/Stoner metal community.

The album is available on Buy Now Download from Bandcamp now. The Vinyl Record is due for release on February 27th 2015. Do yourself a favour and check this album out now. You won't regret it. This is my BandCamp Album Of The Week.

Words by Steve Howe

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Bandcamp Album Of The Week: Ketamine - 25.807² (Album Review).

Album Type: Album

Date Released: 31^st Dec 2014

Label: Self Released

25.807² – Track Listing

1.Chameleon-Food Chain-Golden Boy 14:41

2.Hurricane Head 09:30

3.Instrumental 03:03

4.Quitter 05:04

5.Untitled-Halfass 11:39

Bio

Ketamine features members of Ludicra, Augurs, Sangre Amado, Sad Sack, Traitors Return to Earth among others and was recorded by legendary Fillmore SF sound man Nathan Harlow and remixed and mastered by FOH Newpot Columbus Brian Simakis. It gives a glimpse of what we were doing in 1996 in San Francisco, when nobody wanted to sound like anybody and the audiences craved diversity. This was the fertile ground that allowed for Ketamine to share the stage with the likes of Acid King, Abcess, Noothgrush, Spilth, Dystopia and may other amazing bands.

I think the lyrics and vocal delivery by Oliver Lodge is simply amazing. His influences were bands like The Swans, the stooges, G.G. Allen, Daniel Johnston and a slew of the most tortured souls you can imagine along with an obscure collection of cassette tapes and 7" singles. Talent beyond belief. Some of the lyrics were written by Blaise Beinvenue, his former Sad Sack bandmate.

Members

Kevin Masters- guitars

Claude Kraemer – drums

Jesika Christ - bass, samples

Oliver Lodge - vocals

past:

Blaise Blenvenue - vocals

Joe Dusty Malanaik - Guitars

Review:

Our good friend – Kevin Masters – from one of my fave Doom/Sludge Metal bands – Traitors Return To Earth – asked me to check out his former band – Ketamine. If you reed his excellent bio on the band it will tell you what to expect. Ketamine play an unflinching and unforgiving blend of Sludge and Doom Metal.

It' s hard to believe that 25.807² or 666 as Kevin has told me the album is called, was actually recorded in 1996 as it sounds fresh and exciting 19 years later. The album is immense from start to finish. Wait until you experience the 14 minute epic opening track - Chameleon-Food Chain-Golden Boy - as Ketamine outline their dangerous intent from the start. The vocals have a dangerous quality to them as Oliver sings about some pretty disturbing topics.

With the band being from San Francisco you can detect the violent decaying sounds of Noise Rock that still plays a major part within the San Francisco music scene to this present day. Ketamine may not be to everyone's taste but if you want to hear what San Francisco sounded like back in 1996 then this album feels like a buried time capsule being discovered by today's musical audience. It's a filthy ridden blast of intense vocals and rhythms that will hopefully find a new fan-base amongst today's Sludge/Doom Metal crowd.

Tracks such as Hurricane Head and Untitled-Halfass are the main standout tracks as Ketamine seriously didn't give a fuck what people thought about them back in the day. It's a shame this album was never released as Ketamine could have been serious players amongst the Sludge Metal/Noise Rock scene back in the day. Though the members have gone onto form other great bands, it's great to see where their musical journey evolved from.

My final thoughts on 25.807² is that the album is a downright unpleasant and noisy experience you all should witness. It's still as exciting as fresh today as it was recorded back in 1996. Don't pass this album by. It's a blast from start to finish and why it's my choice for Sludgelord BandCamp Album Of The Week.

Check it out as you can download on BandCamp Buy Now Download.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Kevin Masters for the tip and info about Ketamine.

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Bandcamp Album Of The Week: Bison Machine - Hoarfrost

Album Type: Album

Date Released: 17^th November 2014

Label: Self Released

Hoarfrost – Track Listing

1.Cosmic Ark 04:01

2.Old Moon 06:32

3.Gamekeeper's Thumb 07:17

4.Viking Hand 03:53 video

5.Speed of Darkness 05:56

6.Giant's Coffin 08:52

Bio

CONCEIVED IN A SINGLE FAMILY WIGWAM ON THE FAR EASTERN REACHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT, AND THRUST FROM THE BIRTH CANAL IN A DUSTY BASEMENT IN HAMTRAMCK, BISON MACHINE GIVETH AND BISON MACHINE TAKETH AWAY; NO PRISONERS; NO ONE SURVIVES. LIVE SHOWS ARE THINGS OF WONDERMENT. VOLUME, BLUES, SATURATION. THAT IS THE PREVAILING ETHOS. HAMTRAMCK'S OWN ROCK SPECTACLE, HEAVY AND MELODIC. THINGS ARE BROKEN, BLOOD IS SPILLED, CLOTHES AND LOIN CLOTHS ARE RENT FROM BODIES, ANTLER AND HIDES ARE PREVALENT. PICTURE A SMALL CHILD RAISED ON THE DELTA BLUES SINCE BIRTH, THEN FORCE FED ZEPPELIN AND SABBATH TIL THEY COULD NO LONGER MOVE, THEN BEATEN AND WHIPPED WITH KYUSS, PENTAGRAM, EARTHLESS, DEAD MEADOW, WILLIE AND WAYLON, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, AND THIN LIZZY, UNTIL ONE DAY, THE CHILD REARS ITS UGLY BRUISED AND MISSHAPEN HEAD PERCHED UPON ITS GRIZZLED, MUSCULAR, ACROMEGALIC BODY RIPPLING WITH VIRILITY, SHRUGS OFF IT'S CHAINS, AND RUNS DOWN JOS CAMPAU NAKED, RIDING A SABERTOOTH TIGER. THIS IS THE MUSIC THAT POOR SOUL WOULD BE SINGING.

BISON MACHINE

AND NO ONE SURVIVES.

Members

Vocals: Tom Stec

Guitar: John deVries

Bass: Anthony Franchina

Drums: Breck Crandell

Review:

We are trying out a new feature at Sludgelord – BandCamp Album Of The Week. Where we showcase what we think is the best album on BandCamp on a weekly basis. So lets get started with our first choice – BISON MACHINE.

We are huge fans of Bison Machine here at Sludgelord HQ. We have featured them twice before on the blog and now the guys return with their new album – Hoarfrost. This album is a different beast compared to their earlier releases as the band return with a heavy Stoner/Fuzz/Desert/Hard Rock offering that's gonna leave the Stoner Rock community begging for more.

Can you remember a time when Queens Of The Stone Age used to write classic Stoner Rock/Hard Rock song with albums like Rated R and Songs For The Deaf before they went too commercial. Well Bison Machine take that early QOTSA Stoner Rock energy and combine it with FUZZ, Hard Rock and good time Desert Rock vibes. They still have their own identity as the band offer cosmic spacey riffs as well. The album opens up with – Cosmic Ark – a track full of passionate riffs and vocals that sees Bison Machine in confident mood exploring some interesting ideas not seen on their earlier releases.

Second track – Old Moon – is the albums standout track as Bison Machine throw everything at you to survive from. Vocalist Tom is on fine form through out as Bison Machine venture into psych rock territory. It's a heavy trippy journey with Bison Machine not leaving anything to chance. The emotionally charged riffs has a 70's Hard-Rock vibe that will leave you in a hypnotic trance.

Third track – Gamekeeper's Thumb – is another standout track which sees Bison Machine in a more reflective mood. It's a song full of sadness and heartbreak that will leave you emotionally drained. Wait until the epic riffs kick in as Bison Machine unleash some classic space rock/stoner rock riffs to impress you with once again. John on guitar duties lays down some incredible licks here as things get very heavy indeed around the 4^th minute mark.

Fourth Track – Viking Hand – is the albums more straightforward stoner rock song as it's harks back to the classic age of Stoner Rock where the band played for the love of the music. And that's what you get with Viking Hand. Bison Machine playing the music they love and to the bands that inspired them. It has excellent fast-paced riffs and impressive vocals from Tom yet again.

Now do you get the picture of how great this album really is. I don't want to spoil anything else for you. If you're new to the world of Bison Machine then you're in for a treat. These guys will become your favourite new band. That's how good they are. I have been a fan for a few years now and they never disappoint me. Hoarfrost has the potential to be one of the best Stoner Rock debut albums of 2015. 

And that's why it's my BandCamp Album Of The Week. Hoarfrost is a must have album. Headover to BandCamp and download this now. Donate if you can as these guys are going places. Self-Released Vinyl version due out in Spring 2015 as well as a German pressing through Bilocation Records in Berlin.

Brilliant. End Of.

Words by Steve Howe

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