ALBUM REVIEW: Space Witch - "Arcanum"

By: Charlie Butler

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 09/06/2017

Label: Hevisike Records

The band still sound like a collaboration between Bongripper, Hawkwind and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop to create the ultimate sci-fi B-movie soundtrack, but  this latest release sees them develop their cosmic barrage further out into the void., they showcase a leaner, meaner Space Witch that still push the boundaries of heaviness but with a more streamlined attack.

“Arcanum” CD//CS//DD//LP track listing:

1. Cosmonoid

2. Astro Genocide

3. Hex Solaris

4. Battle Hag

The Review:

Stoke on Trent intergalactic voyagers Space Witch make a welcome return with new album “Arcanum”. Thankfully, the band still sound like a collaboration between Bongripper, Hawkwind and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop to create the ultimate sci-fi B-movie soundtrack. This latest release sees them develop their cosmic barrage further out into the void.

“Cosmonoid” and “Battle Hag” are colossal slabs of super-dense riffage that follow the mind-expanding template of the band’s stellar 2014 debut LP. Even though both tracks clock in somewhere around the fifteen minute mark, they showcase a leaner, meaner Space Witch that still push the boundaries of heaviness but with a more streamlined attack. 

The two shorter tracks here, “Astro Genocide” and “Hex Solaris”, are the most surprising and give hints of where the band may head in future. The former begins in familiar spaced-out doom territory but takes a left turn into the unknown with an unexpected shift into a pummelling up-tempo groove. The shocks come thick and fast from here as the band introduce vocals for the first time. The musical backing begins to negotiate off-kilter riffs before launching into a furious blastbeat fuelled finale. All this makes for an exhilarating ride that shows that Space Witch are just as effective, if not more so, when condensing their massive ambitions into structures approaching normal song length.

“Hex Solaris” initially wrong-foots the listener with snatches of jazz before a huge lumbering riff destroys the quiet. The booming vocals are present right from the start here and feel better integrated then their surprise appearance late into “Astro Genocide”. This track best demonstrates the progress the band has made in expanding its sonic spectrum without diluting its immense power.

“Arcanum” is a firm step forward by Space Witch. Nowhere in the galaxy is safe from these riffs.

“Arcanum” will be available to preorder/buy here

Band info: Facebook || Bandcamp

TRACK PREMIERE: Swamp master generals Morass of Molasses make a blistering statement with "My Leviathan"

Self-described "swamp master generals" Morass of Molasses will release their new album “These Paths We Tread” on May 19th 2017 via HeviSike Records.  The album's 7 tracks blend fuzz, sludge and doom and will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the best records of 2017.

Morass of Molasses create the kind of lumbering heavy blues riffs which induce involuntary head nodding and a deep stirring of the loins. The band's short life so far has also seen them sharing stages with such luminaries of the scene as Orange Goblin, Ohhms, Vodun, Elephant Tree, Desert Storm, Space Witch, Sea Bastard, Limb, Gurt and many more. Their gutsy Jagermiester stage performance at Bloodstock helped propel them into a relentless schedule of touring during which they released their debut EP ‘So Flows Our Fate’.  

The new album, “These Paths We Tread” is a veritable melting pot of ideas, blended together, forming a thick stew of heavy blues with side of doom for good measure. As in the EP before, the band uses the album as a vehicle to explore concepts of mythic sin and ancient archetypes. The Journey we take through life as humans is ever at the forefront, and drives the songwriting. 

Without resorting to speed runs, tapping, or other flashy distractions, Morass of Molasses focuses on a basic formula of riff, tone, a massive backbone of rhythm supplied from bass and drumming, and catchy, rock-laden lyrics and delivery, creating a sinfully sweet ride through the slightly hazy and humid land they call their soul. Gaze into it, and let the wind whistle a neat little tune into your ear as we premiere the opening track from their monstrous new album.  We give you “My Leviathan”

“These Paths We Tread” DD//LP track Listing: 

1. My Leviathan

2. So They Walk

3. Serpentine

4. The Ritual

5. Centralia

6. Maenads

7. Wrath Of Aphrodite

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

ALBUM REVIEW: Bright Curse - "Before The Shore"

By: Bobo Cohen

 

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 13/05/2016
Label: HeviSike Records

 

 

 

There are so many different influences bubbling under the surface, the album is crammed with more ideas and curve balls than many experienced bands pack in to a whole album and will undoubtedly catch many listeners of guard. For a band to be writing at this level on their second album is staggering and dare I say it bodes well for a bright future! A total gem of an album that defiantly deserves a place on anyone’s top ten list of the year

 

“Before The Shore” DD//LP track listing:

1). Lady Freedom

2). The Shore

3). Cheating Pain

4). Walking in the Graveyard (Bloody Witch)

5). Candles and Flowers

6). Northern Sky

7). Earth’s Last Song

 

The Review:

 

HeviSike Records have been active for a few years now and have slowly built a reputation for quality releases. Their latest release by Bright Curse, in the form of “Before the Shore” and their second album is a gem that lives up to, and enhances that reputation, it is made up of seven tracks of Retro Drenched Riffs. It equally lulls you in to chilled grooves then kicks like an angry mule,

 

“Lady Freedom”, starts with a shout of Ready? Before launching into a riff Uriah Heep would have been proud off. Roman Daut’s melodic yet strong vocals underline the quality of the song coupled with a strong repetitive riff, with hints UFO running through it and a killer guitar solo to match, this is an excellent opening statement that lays out their stall. “The Shore” opens with another stomping riff then throws a curveball as the vocals come in quiet, invoking a reflective tone to the music, with the Lyrics drawing you into the story. It then explodes briefly into a chorus that will go around and around in your head. It’s perfectly paced for another lovely solo before a rocking conclusion to the song.
 

“Cheating Pain” starts with an almost Wolfmother type vocal melody accompanied by tasteful playing from the rhythm department. The chorus recalls a grunge vibe with some excellent backing vocals before a spoken word middle section hit you like a cross between The Doors & the “Apocalypse Now” soundtrack. The excellently named “Walking in a Graveyard (Bloody Witch)” starts with another powerful riff before a strong vocal refrain, again taking the music in unexpected directions. A Sabbath influenced jazzy guitar tone underlines this mood. Normal service is resumed by time it reaches the chorus as Lizzy style riffing ensues, complete with a full bore guitar solo that allows the rhythm section to open up and roar

 

“Candles and Flowers” packs an Iommi style riff and again some understated playing before kicking up a gear with a monster second riff that gets another strong Lizzy groove going. It settles into this headspace complete with excellent call & response chorus. They pull of the trick of moving between quieter moments and huge riffs and for me this is the strongest song on the album so far. “Northern Sky” starts with a subtle Hammond Organ underpinning soulful vocals and adds another flavour to an album already packed full of them. This is the most melodic song on album and perhaps the closest to a ballad, with beautiful and delicate guitar playing complemented by the Hammondwhich recalls Deep Purple at their most vulnerable, before it unleashes a Jon Lord style solo that will get your foot tapping. It has a huge chorus and will surely be a fan favourite live.

“Earth's Last Song” starts with a laid back groove and bluesy guitar playing reminiscent of the ‘Purple vibe present on the previous song. It evolves into a chorus than can only be classed as epic. It builds and builds, to a guitar solo that just lifts the song to a higher level with plenty of wah pedal abuse. The climax of song is the chorus and the eight minutes plus have gone by in flash.

Overall this is an album that on the surface sits nicely within retro stoner scene, but on repeated plays reveals much more substance than that. There are so many different influences bubbling under the surface, the album is crammed with more ideas and curve balls than many experienced bands pack in to a whole album and will undoubtedly catch many listeners of guard. For a band to be writing at this level on their second album is staggering and dare I say it bodes well for a bright future!

 

A total gem of an album that defiantly deserves a place on any one’s top ten list of the year

 

“Before The Shore” is available here

Band info: facebook

The Sludgelord Song Premiere - "Both Barrells" by Gorilla

By: Aaron Pickford

Gorilla vs Grifter is the second in a planned series of split albums released through awesome Birmingham based label HeviSike, following 2015's Mos Generator // Stubb split release. 

The two English powerhouses join the Birmingham-based imprint at an exciting time following the label's launch in late 2014. Having followed and supported this independent label since its inception, we have reviewed Chicago psychedelic rockers Dead Feathers and albums from Elevators to The Grateful Sky, Prophets of Saturn in that short space of time, indeed they have slowly carved their own unique niche as a standalone boutique vinyl only label.  Therefore it was without equivocation when Jay from Hevisike asked if we’d like to host a stream for Gorilla’s track “Both Barrells” from this forthcoming release.  So check it out below and let us know what you think

Gorilla are no strangers to fans of heavy-as-hell rock n’ roll. The no-nonsense power trio, led by The Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell frontman Johnny Gorilla, have released three albums since forming in the late 1990s.  Gorilla vs Grifter  will be available as a limited edition vinyl record in two colours and pre-orders start from Friday 1st April ahead of its 15th April release date.

Colour vinyl options:

Gold - (limited to 100 copies, hevisike.com exclusive)
Yellow / Blue Marbled 

Band info: facebookGorillaRockin || facebookGRIFTERROCK

Dead Feathers - "Dead Feathers" EP (Review)

By: Victor Van Ommen

Album Type: EP

Date Released: 26/02/2016

Label: HeviSike Records

“Dead Feathers” DD//LP track listing:

1). With Me

2). Night Child

3). Color Exhaustion

4). Horse & Sands

The Review:

Dead Feathers have been hanging around the retro-rock circuit for a little while now. In August of last year they made the scene with a digitally released EP that slowly turned the heads of music fans and labels alike. Rumor has it that a full-length is on its way but in the meantime HeviSike Records has grasped the opportunity to give this digital EP the vinyl treatment.

In four songs and twenty minutes, Dead Feathers serve up an interesting take on 70’s influenced psych-blues. At face value, the initial comparison to Blues Pills is one that’s easily made but not entirely accurate. Writing Dead Feathers off as a copycat band would not be giving them their due. The main difference between these two bands is how they control energy. Where Blues Pills bursts at the seams with fervor, Dead Feathers keeps things mellow.  

Mellow is good. Marissa Allen’s soothing, subtle vibrato is the secret weapon on this EP, coloring in the hypnotic push provided by the band. She creates a particular tension, inviting the listener to get lost, but the band never goes off the rail like the aforementioned Blues Pills. Instead, when the tension finally does break, it’s confined to the shadow of the dreamy production, presumably in an attempt to keep the vibe alive. This is a fairly unique way to control atmosphere and if Dead Feathers are able to play this out and hold the attention for a full-length album then they’re going to be a band to watch out for this year.

“Dead Feathers” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

Elevators to the Grateful Sky - "Cape Yawn" (Album Review)

By: Victor Van Ommen

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 11/03/2016

Label: HeviSike Records

“Cape Yawn” DD//LP track listing:

1). Ground

2). Bullet Words

3). All About Chemistry

4). Dreams Come Through

5). A Mal Tiempo Buena Cara

6). Kaiser Quartz

7). I Wheel

8). Mongerbino

9). Cape Yawn

10). We're Nothing at All

11). Laura (One for Mark Sandman)

12). Mountain Ship

13). Unwind

Elevators to the Grateful Sky is:

Sandro Di Girolamo | Vocals
Giuseppe Ferrara | Guitars
Giorgio Trombino | Guitars
Giulio Scavuzzo | Drums

The Review:

On paper, a potent mix of Monster Magnet, Kyuss, and Fu Manchu is pretty exciting. Taking heavy riffs, meandering, psychedelic passages, and melting them all together with stories of sun, babes, and drugs is the musical equivalent of your Grandma’s recipe for apple pie. Palermo, Italy four piece Elevators to the Grateful Sky (ETTGS) are on board with this mind set, delivering exactly that on their sophomore album, “Cape Yawn,” out in March on HeviSike Records.

In 48 minutes, ETTGS lays down 13 songs, each one drawing from a precise palette of influences. The result is something we’ve heard before - “Ground” is very Fu Manchu, “Kaizer Quartz” digs around the John Garcia side of the desert, and “Cape Yawn” owes so much to Yawning Man, - but done very well. Sure, each song is a “sounds like this” or a “sounds like that,” but that doesn’t immediately detract from the level of enjoyment that can be had when listening to this record. If you’re into these bands then you’ll enjoy “Cape Yawn” like apple pie – you’ve had it before but each recipe is that little bit different.

“Cape Yawn” is available here

FFO: Monster Magnet, Kyuss, Fu Manchu, Yawning Man

Band info: bandcamp | facebook

Prophets of Saturn - Retronauts (Album Review)

By: Peter Man

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 17/7/2015

Label: Hevisike Records

The album as a whole succeeds in its goal of importing 1960’s heavy metal into the 21st century.  While each song bares the same intrinsic engineering and fuzz-loaded basics, they each explore a unique path and keep the listener engaged for all 35 minutes.

‘Retronauts’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Retronaut

2). Ultra Wizards

3). Witch Rider

4). Damavand

Prophets of Saturn is:

Ben | Guitars

Max | Bass

Duncan | Drums

George | Vocals

The Review:

For those who dug the Prophets Of Saturn's 2013 self-titled, debut album, they will be extremely satisfied with the 2015 follow-up, 'Retronauts'.  The band's sound is heavily driven by a retro, fuzz core that adds layers of psychedelic/stoner rock, and doom.  'Retronauts' runs with that sound from the first release, and improves the production quality and overall song consistency to produce a signature album that grooves quite easily.

The album as a whole succeeds in its goal of importing 1960’s heavy metal into the 21st century.  While each song bares the same intrinsic engineering and fuzz-loaded basics, they each explore a unique path and keep the listener engaged for all 35 minutes.  Vocalist George Sanderson steers the ship with equal skill using aggressive, primal yelling as he does with the desperate wailings of a cosmic apparition.  Guitarist Benjamin Shore's wah-induced solos take you on a funky joy ride around the nearest moon or asteroid belt, while still allowing the rest of the songs to maintain present course.  Both albums incorporate long portions of instrumental music, but as 'Prophets of Saturn' includes two separately focused instrumental tracks, 'Retronauts' puts their money down and rolls them all into a single 16-minute metal monster, titled 'Damavand'.

The first track, ‘Retronaut’, opens with a dirty guitar riff and is soon joined by the rhythm section to form an infectious grind.  Two minutes in, the vibe gets extra heavy, as they drop an octave and start introducing otherworldly noises.  A brief guitar solo explosion precedes a total breakdown into Sanderson’s reverberated, almost indiscernible chanting.  Max Mead’s bass joins the procession, signalling another impending, full-blown groove which arrives right on time and carries the track for four more minutes to completion.  The second offering, ‘The Ultra Wizards (Of Neptune 9)’ tops out just under seven minutes and brings equal parts gusto and guitar riff to a stylish, retro tune.  The third track, ‘Witch rider’, is a relatively short, high energy song that contrasts nicely with the album’s fourth and final track, the aforementioned epic ‘Damavand’.

Two of the band's members, vocalist George and bassist Max, also play in the band Slow Worm, an ambient/doom outfit that is very worthy of your listening time; George is that band’s drummer and Max strums the guitar.  Considering their diverse musical talents, look for Prophets Of Saturn to continue delivering, and perfecting, their fuzzy blend of vintage, stoner doom that worked so splendidly on ‘Retronauts’

‘Retronauts’ is available here

FFO: Electric Wizard, Uncle Acid And The Dead Beats

Band info: bandcamp | facebook | twitter

The Sludgelord News - Desert Suns Vinyl on Hevisike Records

DESERT SUNS – DESERT SUNS (LP)
HVSK-1205

San Diego, CA stoner rockers DESERT SUNS release their self titled debut LP on vinyl through HeviSike Records in April 2015. The four-piece demonstrate versatility unseen  amongst their contemporaries; this six-song debut sees the band touch on psychedelia, blues-rock and doom.

The group gained attention in late 2014 after their stoner rock anthem SPACE PUSSY was featured on Classic Rock Magazine’s (UK) cover-mount  compilation ‘The Levee Breaks’ (November 2014).

Fans of early 70s proto-metal acts such as Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Steppenwolf and Blue Cheer will appreciate the classic
groove demonstrated on this record, as will followers of modern stoner rockers Fu Manchu, Kadavar, Graveyard and Clutch.

Haunting lyrics of alienation accompany the listener on ajourney through the sinister and the beautiful. Limited to just 300 copies, this one time press LP is manufactured with vinyl enthusiasts in
mind; mastered specifically for the format by renowned multi-instrumentalist Tony Reed (Mos Generator/Stone Axe) at HeavyHead Recording Co in Washington, USA and
pressed on high grade colour vinyl. Cover art is provided by San Diego’s own Jimmy Ovadia.

Pressing breakdown:

100 Copies - Clear Vinyl – Exclusive to HeviSike.com
200 Copies – White Vinyl – Band and Distribution edition
includes: 4 x Limited Edition postcards and 1 x A3 size poster insert demonstrating the art of Jimmy Ovadia.

Listen at: desertsuns.bandcamp.com
facebook.com/desertsunssd
hevisike.com

Brunt - S/T (Album Review)

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 22/2/2014

Label: Hevisike Records

Brunt – S/T LP/DD track listing:

1). St. Felix of Nola (08:43)

2). The Tale of the Hideous Tricorn (05:30)

3). Rabbit of Cannabong (06:34)

4). A Concise Cosmic History of the Swob Monster Pt. 1 (04:52)

5). Raw Goat (06:24)

Review:

Birmingham based HeviSike have been climbing the ladder of success as of late. With three Vinyl releases and more in the pipeline, this independent retailer-come-record-label is now cemented in heavy history as a bright light amongst the fog of growing names in the music industry.

Their first release, Guernsey power trio Brunt, are fighting the battle for psych-sludge and boy do they wield all the weapons of mass doom-struction! These guys take classic rock, psych rock, doom, sludge and meld it together in a riff based instrumental package fit for any fan of the aforementioned genres.

The tone heavy tracks are laden with atmosphere and full, bright production. Easy on the ears, this is very inoffensive music, something that some may find a bit lacklustre, but I personally feel adds to the trance inducing quality of this kind of metal. The songs progress from riff to riff nicely, adding layers and slight guitar variations with each passing moment.

Production wise, it’s a bit modern feeling for my taste. The drums almost sound a bit like samples, but that could just be due to the clarity of this record over other bands of similar genre. The guitar is extremely well produced. With a bit of multitracking to add texture, the beautifully distorted tone hits that grindy frequency well, complimented by the Tool-come-Om tone of the bass.

Sweet guitar solos dot the songs, dispersing drawn out sections of heavy riffage, adding the psychedelic feel to an otherwise quite metal record. Sometimes however, it does feel like the monotony of repeated riffs could do with a catchy vocal line over the top. Not to say these guys should get a singer, but I’d be interested to hear what a Scott Weinrich style vocalist could lay on top to add a bit more variation.

The songs are obviously well thought out composition wise, but maintain that jammed out feel essential to the organic nature of psych rock. Every so often you can feel the tempo speed up or slow down slightly, not in such a way that it ruins the music, it’s just very noticeable when in happens in the middle of songs.

It’s easy to see what drew HeviSike to Brunt as their first release. They have all the makings of a good band. Overall I feel with more time and more albums they could mature into a big name in the doom and sludge scene. With this release they showed us tonally and composition wise what they could develop on in future releases, and with the help of HeviSike, they now have the vessel to deliver the goods!

Thanks for reading Y’all!

Words by: Asher G. Alexander.

You can pick up the vinyl here and DD here

For more information:

https://www.youtube.com/user/BruntMusic

https://www.facebook.com/bruntmusic

http://brunt.bandcamp.com/

Tunga Moln LP Preorder + Exclusive Stream 'In I Dimman'

New TUNGA MOLN LP is available for Pre-Order today at 3pm UK time.

There will only be 50 pre-order copies available and they will include a promotional press photo as well as the unique artwork insert.

CLEAR VINYL.

Pre-order below
http://www.hevisike.com/product/tunga-moln-ii-lp

Check out the opening track from the album below