GRUSOM - S/T (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: July 31st 2015

Label: Kozmik Artifactz Records

Grusom – S/T - Track Listing:

1. First Sermon

2. Come Closer

3. Evil

4. Cold Stone

5. The Journey

6. No Gods

7. Bleed For You

8. The Reaper

9. Grusome

Bio:

Just one month after releasing their demo on Bandcamp, Grusom signed with the German record label "Kozmik Artifactz Records" - November 2014. Jacob Bredahl from Dead Rat Studio did the recording of their debut album. Grusom wanted to keep the feel of the actual recording as true and authentic as possible. Jacob caught Grusom’s sound and soul by recording all music in one room at the same time. Grusom’s debut album is expected to hit the street and shelves sometime during July 2015 (vinyl, cd and digital).

Band Members:

Nicolaj Hoffmann Jul – vocals

Peter Pørtner - keys

Jakob Kaae - drums

Dennis Warburg – guitar

Thomas Ulrik – guitar

Søren Olesen - bass

Review:

Danish rockers Grusom have crafted an impressively dark debut for German record label Kozmik Artifactz. There’s a sinister Hammer Horror/satanic biker vibe underlying the album’s 9 tracks, providing Grusom a gloomy backdrop to present their fog-enshrouded blues-rock tales of creeping evil, Gothic horror and murder. While they may draw comparisons to the current scene of occult rockers with a similar ‘70s-inspired sound, they don’t particularly sound like any one of their peers.

Fans of Blood Ceremony, Graveyard, Danzig, The Doors and Steppenwolf will find common ground here. The album begins with “First Sermon”, a leslie-drenched instrumental organ prelude that showcases the brooding and densely melodic lead organ (and later, piano) of Peter Pørtner. From there on in, the tasteful dual guitars of Dennis Warburg and Thomas Ulrik expertly trade off melody and rhythm with Pørtner, never competing for space in the arrangement. Nicolaj Hoffman Jul’s impassioned and powerful vocals are a highlight throughout the record; he has a quality in his voice that breaks up nicely when he pushes it in the heavier moments, and every phrase is filled with haunted emotion.

For a band this young (forming in 2013, they signed in late 2014 from a 3 song DIY demo they’d just released) this is a very cohesive debut. Tracks 3, 8 and 9 come from the aforementioned demo, and are among the strongest songs on the record, but really there aren’t any misfires here. After several spins through I’m really digging the haunted, organ-soaked heavy blues vibe of this album as a whole. Well worth a listen/purchase.

Words by Bill Kole

Thanks To Richard at Sheltered Life PR for the promo. Grusom – S/T – album will be available to buy from Kozmik Artifactz Records on CD/Vinyl from July 31^st 2015.

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Kaleidobolt - S/T (Album Review)

Album Type: Full-length

Date Released: 15 May 2015

Label: Pink Tank Records

Kaleidobolt - S/T - Track Listing:

1.ROCKET TO THE MOON 06:38

2.MOMENTUM 07:34

3.INTO THE CREVICE 05:23

4.LISKODISKO 07:41

5.MOUNTAIN MAN 04:54

6.SHOWDOWN 09:51

Members:

Sampo &

Marco &

Valtteri

Review:

Here's a band that lives, breathes and worships everything 1970's Classic/Hard Rock. If these guys had access to a time machine they would permanently move to the 70s as their music is steeped in 70s style musical philosophy and theatrics. I'm talking about another groovy band from Finland called - Kaleidobolt. Their S/T debut album is a celebration of legendary bands past of present. Kaleidobolt play a style of classic/hard rock that includes vibes of Doom, Proto Rock, Krautrock and even Space Rock. It's a trippy and mesmerizing affair at Kaleidobolt offer an exciting 42 minute ride of thrills and spills. Or should that be of riffs and even greater riffs.

Opening track - Rocket To The Moon - lays down the groundwork for the rest of the album to follow and it's a majestic tale of 70s inspired riffs with a hint of Blues running through its veins. The vocals are pitched at the right level to stand on their own accord as Kaleidobolt are in full confident mood. If you're a fan of The Vintage Caravan then you're going to dig these guys a great deal. They have a whole lot in common with each other though Kaleidobolt's music is more DIY based as the music feels it's been recorded on true analogue equipment.

Second track - Momentum - is a fast paced number where the band decides to add a distinct Surf Rock approach and it's a refreshing sound that's rather inventive especially when Kaleidobolt venture into Space Rock surroundings. The song has a dreamlike quality that puts you into a hypnotic trance; well until the band add a heavier thrashier style of guitars towards the end of the song. I wasn't expecting that at all. Well played Kaleidobolt, well played.

Third track - Into The Crevice - starts off with an acoustic guitar solo before a psychedelic rock explosion breathes life into the song for one heavy and loud experience. People may think this isn't the most original of sounds but Kaleidobolt are more about the sonic experience as its one heck of an exciting album to listen to. Fourth track - Liskodisko – opens up with a jazz based battle between the band members and it's an exciting premise with beautifully played instrumental work for everyone to hear and feel. Kaleidobolt return to their normal approach of heavy psych riffs as this turns into one of the albums finest and exciting tracks.

The 2nd half of the album follows the same path as the first though Kaleidobolt have more than enough talent to surprise you with a sublime riff that you wouldn't expect especially on the final epic track - Showdown. Though before Showdown, the band unleash all their anger and fury on the albums heaviest track - Mountain Man. I hope the band include that style of music on future releases as it really suits their sound.

We now come onto Showdown, a glorious 10 minute psychedelic kraut-rock/stoner/space rock extravaganza. As the band leave you with a lasting impression that they are here to stay for the foreseeable future. Kaleidobolt’s debut album is a blistering effort that will win many fans within the Hard Rock domain. Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Jan at Pink Tank Records for the promo. Kaleidobolt S/T debut album is available to buy now on DD. Vinyl Record will be released through our good pals Pink Tank Records around July/August 2015.

Words by Steve Howe

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The Exploding Eyes Orchestra - I (Album Review)

Album Type: Album

Date Released: 12^th June 2015

Label: Svart Records

'I' track Listing:

01 The Smoke

02 Crazy Heart

03 My Father The Wolf

04 Drawing Down The West

05 Two-Zero 13

06 Black Hound

07 Farewell to All-In-One

Bio:

What started as a pastime for Jess and the Ancient Ones guitarist and songwriter Thomas Corpse has morphed into an actual band: The Exploding Eyes Orchestra. With a lineup consisting of five out of seven Jess and the Ancient Ones members, the band's debut album, simply titled I, will hit the streets on June 12th.

According to Thomas Corpse, the idea behind the new combo was to find an outlet for material which the prolific songwriter found incompatible with the Jess and the Ancient Ones concept. The album is culled from lengthy recording sessions held in Kuopio, Finland in the winter of 2013 and 2014, and these sessions also produced another album's worth of excellent material, which will see the light of day on the next release, II, in the spring of 2016. Despite the relaxed nature of the sessions, these are not jam-based improvisational tracks but strong, carefully planned compositions. The music is laid back and soulful, influenced by classic rock, with powerful female vocals.

What else the future might bring to The Exploding Eyes Orchestra is difficult to foretell, and Corpse likes to consider the band as a loose collective unit which doesn't necessarily follow the traditional route of rock bands (even though they do play live and release albums) but is not a therapy session either.

Review:

If the wait for a new LP from Finland’s Jess and the Ancient Ones is getting you down, “I” by The Exploding Eyes Orchestra is here to ease your pain. Boasting a line-up that is 5/7 of Jess and the Ancient Ones and sharing a guitarist and songwriter in Thomas Corpse, there are many similarities between the Exploding Eyes Orchestra and their sister band but they still possess an identity of their own.

You would be hard pressed to identify any discernible difference between the two bands from opener “The Smoke”, five minutes of thumping organ fuelled heavy rock with more than a hint of Deep Purple. “Drawing Down The West” is another track which could be from either bands stable while “Two-Zero 13” occupies similar territory to “The Smoke” but with added aggression and dirt which gives it a welcome grunge feel. However, over the course of the rest of the album the two bands styles begin to diverge and The Exploding Eyes Orchestra begin to establish their individuality.

“Crazy Heart” and “My Father The Wolf” are both solid nuggets of pure classic rock gold shorn of any metal elements whatsoever. This is no bad thing though, particularly if you are partial to a bit of Fleetwood Mac and 70’s Bruce Springsteen. I feel the band really come into their own during these two tracks and this is the sound they need to explore and expand further in future releases.

The remaining two tracks bring the album to a close in an odd yet captivating fashion. “Black Hound” establishes an eerie atmosphere with slide guitar and harmonica before a menacing bass riff that wouldn’t be out of place on “Songs for the Deaf” lumbers into view, heralding a dark bluesy stomp. “Farewell All-In-One” brings proceedings to a close with the most progressive track on the album. It begins life as a 50s style ballad, all crooning and expansive reverbed twang and slowly develops to an epic instrumental finale that is only a mellotron away from prime prog territory and even brings to mind some of Grails’ more serene moments.

This is an excellent debut from The Exploding Eyes Orchestra that will satisfy fans of the members’ previous work and win them new admirers both from within the metal community and further afield. You won’t have to wait long for another dose either as “II” was recorded during the same sessions and will be with us this time next year.

Words by: Charlie Butler

Thanks To Nathan at Svart Records for the album promo. I will be released on CD/DD/Vinyl from Svart Records from June 12th 2015.

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The Witching Hour - An Interview with Virginia from Psychedelic Witchcraft

Today's guest is currently riding the crest of a wave within the Doom/Stoner Metal scene with their brilliant and acclaimed new EP – Black Magic Man. I originally thought that this EP was recorded by an actual band, hence my surprise when I found out it was the work of one highly talented individual.

I said this about Black Magic Man:

“I've been listening to Psychedelic Witchcraft's debut EP – Black Magic Man – for some time now. It's a 70s style Classic, Hard Rock. Retro Rock. Doom Metal and Occult Rock kind of thing.

This EP is kicking up a real buzz within the Doom/Stoner Metal community and it's not hard to see why. It's a stunning release from a band/solo artist that I want to hear more from. Virginia/Mia has proven she has the talent and drive to go a long way with Psychedelic Witchcraft. Check it out. Excellent and Highly Recommended.”

Psychedelic Witchcraft even made it onto the May 2015 Monthly Doom Charts List coming in at No 20. A real surprise to even Psychedelic Witchcraft themselves. Though that's how highly thought the band are within the Doom/Stoner Metal community.

I had to get an interview with the hugely talented lady behind Psychedelic Witchcraft. And I'm happy to present my interview with Virginia Monti aka – the genius behind Psychedelic Witchcraft.

Hi Virginia, How are things with you today. Thanks for doing this interview.

Thanks to you guys for making this I am honoured.

We are mainly here to talk about your new musical project – Psychedelic Witchcraft. Can you tell our readers how this project came about?

Yes. Well it was manly a joke at first. I was alone and it was a pretty bad period for me because I had to move from Milan to Florence, it was also the end of a long relationship with my X boyfriend. I felt I needed something that was only mine and that made me feel better about the all situation and myself.

So one day I had this song ready called "Angela"I called some friends of mine and I said "Guys I want to record this song can you help me?".They did and we played in my living room Angela and post it online. I was pretty shocked when I saw all the feedbacks that I had. So yeah that's how it started basically 3 months ago now.

You’ve released your debut EP – Black Magic Man. Can you tell people what to expect from this album.

Uh well I don't know ahahaaha . Yesterday I was with some friends and I was seeing them playing, they are in a doom metal band called "Fangs of the Molossus" and I really love their stuff and I asked my myself... Well this is doom metal - it's Heavy and cool I am not like this ahahahhaah and it's so cool to have the metal community supporting me even thought I am not very heavy.

So I don't know I just wrote what I feel and I don't know if people can expect me to be doom or heavy or metal ...I think they can definitely expect a 70' sound and some occult experience and behind all this just myself .I have put everything that I like and all myself in this EP so I hope that people feel this too.

Why did you choose the name for – Black Magic Man – for the EP? Any specific meaning.

Ahhahaha - Well I decide to call the EP like the song "Black Magic Man" because it's about the man that inspired me to make the EP for real. I wrote that song very quickly because I was so angry. I remember I was sitting in my chair with the guitar playing the main riff and didn't know exactly what I was looking for this song. Then I said to myself...Why don't you talk about the man that you loved and left you all alone?

So I did it hahahaah. Black Magic Man it's my X boyfriend it was pretty an evil guy he was so negative about everything and about the world. He thought I had no talent at all and didn't want me to do this thing... So maybe it's not the answer that many want to read but this is the truth.. I wrote the song for him and for all the people that try to push you down and think you are not capable of anything.

For me those people are Black Magic people in that sense … so yeah... and they also do black magic stuff trust me hahahaha. But again at the same time he inspired me so much so I dedicate the EP to him, a really black magic man.

Was this a hard EP to write and record for?

No it was magic really... when everything started and people reacted to the song Angela , I had only that song so I didn't know what to do. I took like a week just for myself all alone and I wrote all the EP in a week. I dedicate myself to it it was an intense week of me, songs and guitars, it was pretty fun. Then I recorded in Rome in a studio of a friend of mine, I didn't have so much money so we recorded in 2 days and we played from 6 o'clock in the morning till late at night it was very intense and then it was done. It was magical like if someone was guiding me towards this thing.

Has the overall response to the EP surprised you at all. As it seems the Doom/Stoner Metal community has taken to Psychedelic Witchcraft in a big way.

It surprised me and I am STILL in shocked!!! - Really I told you before I don't know if I fit or not in the metal scene because my songs are not so heavy but I am so glad that the metal community supported me like this because metal and hard rock are my favorite genres since I was a young kid.

So for me was really amazing. Especially because this is happening so fast... I told you I am still in shocked and feel blessed by the Gods everyday - ahahahaaha

Did you write all the music and lyrics yourself or did you have help from your friends and colleagues.

I wrote everything by myself. All the riffs and all the melody and of course the lyrics. I like writing I am not a very good guitar player but I use the guitar to write it's just a lot easier and I love to do it. All my life I have been writing and reading a lot, not only songs but in general I like to write and express myself, especially when I am stoked in a situation and my mind it's exploding for too much thinking I feel that writing down stuff makes you feel better and makes something good out of a bad situation...if this make any sense.

Did you record and play the instruments yourself. Or did you have help with certain instruments.

I needed help of course because even if I wrote everything I needed someone that played the main guitar and the drums, and I was trying to make a real band as well, I have never planned to be a solo artist and I did suffered for this if I have to be honest. I asked some friends or at least I thought they were friends to help me recording the songs and if they wanted to make the band with me.

I had help for the main guitar and the drums, bass was played by the guy that played the main guitar in the EP I played the guitar as well. It was cool they are good musicians they just played my songs did it right and it was it. I try to convince them to make the band with me but they didn't want to ... they said that my music was not interesting at all and they didn't want to play in a band that put Satan and Witches in their songs. So I said OK that's fine I will be alone.

Which bands and artists influenced you a musician. Any specific band or album that stands out.

YES A LOT. OK - First one that changed my life was when I listened at 8 years old to Led Zeppelin II my father gave it to me and that was it!!! I was into rock music. Then growing up I loved Jefferson Airplane and Black Sabbath,Shocking Blue .Lots of Blues like Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters. and so many others...

But OK let's talk about record that I like more a part from this artists because about them I like everything, but I can say definitely Coven "witchcraft destroys minds and reaps souls" then Leaf Hound "Growers of Mushrooms", Free "Fire and Water", Buffalo "Volcanic Rock", and "Cheap Thrills" by Janis. Yeah, those for me are big inspirations too.

What is your musical setup when recording in the studio or playing live. Is it an advanced or basic setup?

Well I have been singing since I was a kid and I learned to play the guitar 2 years ago because I had problem with my voice and I couldn't sing for months so I decided to learn guitar. I am 24 years old so I don't have so much experience. I played live many times in jam sessions and with other projects that I had in the past and also as a songwriter by myself with the acoustic guitar. But it was my first time recording a real record. never done before and I am still learning so much stuff along this way ...so I will say it's a basic setup, yeah …

Black Magic Man is being released on 10inch Vinyl by Taxi Driver Records later in the year. How did you become involved with Taxi Driver Records.

It was pretty fun ....I didn't know them and I didn't know they were following me on Instagram. They were the First one that contacted me and did a proposal for the EP even if anything was out they just only listened to Angela and believed in me since the beginning. I wasn't sure about it because I didn't know anything about labels and 3 months ago I didn't even wanted a label I was not searching for it.

After months I had a few records label proposals in my mail but I was all alone and didn't have a band so I decide it was too big for me to handle. So I wrote back to Taxi Driver, they are Italian and really nice guys and they offered me a nice deal that I could handle so I decide for the moment was the best option for me.

Italy has a well deserved reputation within the Sludge/Stoner Metal world for providing us with great bands to check out. Ufomammut, Zippo and Doomraiser amongst others. How is the Sludge/Stoner Metal scene perceived in Italy?

Uh, well I think it's growing a lot really Italy is rising again and I think this it's so cool. But at the same time it's very difficult to play because there isn't really a heavy psych stoner movement and there aren't so much clubs to play in. So I think it's growing and I am hoping that it will get bigger and easier to play soon.

I am hoping this because there are A LOT of good musicians out there and good bands that need to stand out. But again I am a Loner honestly ahahaa - I am always alone in my home playing and singing and I am new to all this stuff so.I am not good for answering this question ahahahaah

Which bands/albums are you currently enjoying at the moment? Any you like to recommend to our readers.

Oh yeah a lot !!! I am really enjoying new ones like there is a band called Rifflord - fucking awesome record - love them,

Mothership - new record - love them as well and some really new and emerging one like White Coven demo they are very cool, Sara, she has got a wonderful voice, better then mine honestly ahahahha and Wucan - EP pretty cool love her voice too.

I honestly I am stocked in the 70's I listen to new stuff but then I return back to my roots. I am listening to Deep Purple right now if you want to know ahahahahah uh you know another band that I am listening to, but you know them of course ...stoner version of Deep purple...new Demon Eye Record ...another awesome one of this month.

Can you tell us what the long term plans for Psychedelic WItchcraft, Future tours or albums? Can you see Psychedelic WItchcraft becoming a full time band with actual band members? Or do you see it as a studio project at the moment.

I am trying to make a real band since the beginning I want to go out and play be on tour and make this thing grow and happen. I have musicians right now, I didn't post it officially because they are learning my songs and I already wrote the full length so they are learning also the new songs. I am really hoping this line up could work so I can go out and play and be a real band.

I don't care if I have to wrote all the material or other stuff I want just to play that's it. So plans for Psychedelic Witchcraft ? record the full Length and playing live as much as possible. Those are my main goals...

What other musical projects are you currently involved with.

I have another band I wrote material also for this other project but I don't know it's anything official yet so we will see what the future will bring .For the moment I have Psychedelic Witchcraft and it's my baby I want Psychedelic Witchcraft to work honestly...

Finally do you have anything to say to your fans and our readers?

Well yes.. THANK YOU GUYS I know I said this a lot but is the truth!! - You make it real for me and if I am here answering this questions and if I had some attention it's only because OF YOU. Because you supported me and shared online my music since the beginning.... Thank you and I will be never thankful enough!!

May the Gods blessed you all and the ancients spirits guides you through the journey of Life !hope to meet you all one day on the road!! Cheers :)

Words by Steve Howe and Virginia Monti

I want to thank Virginia for taking the time out to talk to us at Sludgelord HQ. Check out Psychedelic Witchcraft from the links below.

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Baba Naga – S/T EP (Review)

Album Type: EP

Date Released: July 30^th 2014

Label: Self Released

Baba Naga – S/T – track listing:

1.Osku Til Osku 05:39

2.Popo Bawa 05:50

Bio

Baba Naga are shamen in a world where the existence of souls is denied. They offer worship for those who acknowledge the nihility of deities. The most fantastic and appalling tragedies are all real, horrors masked inside the sarcophagi of human myths and history. Baba Naga offer these stories in song, and give hopeless prayer to the people. The gods are dead, but the people need to worship something.

The music is a peregrination from desperation to despair, channelled into euphoric, psychedelic, pagan gloom.

The live show is moody, trippy, a sickening high without narcotics. Although the members of Baba Naga neither smoke the Devil's herb, nor ingest psyychotropic drugs, their doomy, shoegazey gigs are often described as making people feel as if they are stoned.

Sheffield exists on the boundary between urban and wild. Baba Naga formed in this convergence, three men lost and in need of each other.

Members

Moz - shreds, vibes

Plim - rhythm, chants

Alexis - beats, drones.

Review:

Baba Naga's debut S/T EP is a dreamy shoegaze mix of Doom, Stoner Rock, Fuzz and Psych Rock that is winning a lot of praise within the Stoner Rock community. Now it's time for Sludgelord to join the growing ranks of followers this excellent band is starting to gather.

Their debut EP is a blast of weird and wonderful Stoner/Psych Rock riffs with a dose of Hard Rock thrown in to give their music that extra loud volume to slay you with. Baba Naga are one of the freshest and original bands from the UK Stoner/Psych Rock scene that I have came across this year. These guys can sure write a groovy riff to hypnotize you with. They deserve credit for doing something different and thinking outside of the box.

This EP will appeal to all Psych/Stoner Rock fans looking for their next hallucinogenic musical fix as their music is highly addictive indeed. It's a shame the EP only lasts 12 minutes but it shows that Baba Naga have something special about them. Opening track - Osku Til Osku – has an almost tantric feel to it before exploding into loud angry Stoner/Psych Rock territory where the loud riffs drift into the background for Plim's almost shaman-esque vocals to give this track an out of body experience type feel. Close your eyes and drift into whatever dimension or permanent state of Stoned-Out-Fuzz Arousal.

Damn this stuff is so good I have been listening to it non-stop over the past couple of weeks or so. It's seriously that good. I can't wait to see these guys live twice in two days at two different gigs later this month when they support H A R K/Ken Mode in Sheffield and then Brant Bjork in Leeds 24 hours later. I think I will be in for one wild spacey trippy ride. Lets pray that I come back in one piece. If not I am blaming these guys.

Written by Steve Howe

Download this now as it's awesome and it's available for free download on BandCamp now.

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