ALBUM REVIEW: Scissorfight, "Doomus Abruptus Vol. 1"

By: Peter Morsellino

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released:  06/12/2019

Label: Salt of the Earth Records

“Doomus Abruptus Vol. 1” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Caveman Television

2). Dumpfight

3). Coagulus

4). Rock And/Or Die

5). Where Eagles Drink

6). Piss In The Wind

7). The Battle Of (Mudhole Mountain)

8). Lead Venom

9). Whatcha Get

The Review:

Break out your shitkickers.  We're going for a ride and it's gonna get anything but classy.  Scissorfight take us on a good time romp of stoner jams dripping in southern swag and rock and roll attitude. Fun will be had, whether you like it or not.

“Doomus Abruptus Vol. 1” is filled to the brim with hard rocking riffs, sure to get you going on the dancefloor.  From funky jams to full on swampy doom drudgery. Like an eighteen wheeler on an all night haul straight to hell, this thing gets going and just doesn't want to stop.  This is an album best enjoyed over a few beers with friends, passing the funny stuff back and forth and pumping a fist in the air.

Tracks like “Coagula” rock with a forgotten swagger of years gone by, conjuring visions of exposed chest hair and souped up Camaros.  It blazes down the highway without a care of what lies before it.  It's hard and heavy, caring only for the blurring highway and the wind in its hair.  This is the general tone prevailing through the album's forty minutes. It's a rocking and rolling party that you don't want to miss. That's not to say there's no depth here though.

“Battle of (Mudhole Mountain)” is a country tinged story song that can hold its own with anything that Johnny Cash could throw at it while hitting harder than a freightliner.  A beautiful mix of genres that grooves and swoons and swings and broods. The bluegrass riffing is a delight, and a highlight of the album. 

 

Scissorfight serve up some fine southern comfort with all the riffs you could ask for.  A monument to raw rock and roll power. Grab a cold one from the icebox, spark up a joint, and gather round the bonfire. “Doomus Abruptus Vol.1” is a roaring good time, and this party is going all night long.

“Doomus Abruptus Vol. 1” is available HERE

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Son of Cain, "Closer To The Edge"

By: Richard Maw


Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 30/11/2018

Label: Raging Planet

Son of Cain deliver COC grooves and style mixed with the intensity and vocal approach of prime era Danzig, the end result is a mixture of dark and dangerous rock n roll

 

“Closer To The Edge” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Hit the Road

2). Born to Fail

3). Beyond

4). Like Stone

5). Old Man

6). Reach The End

7). Dead Corner

8). Human Prey

9). Boiled

10). Outro

The Review:

Son of Cain deliver COC grooves and style mixed with the intensity and vocal approach of prime era Danzig. Sounds like your kind of thing? It will be, if you like those two bands. In particular, Danzig is writ large through the very core of this release. It's dark and hard rocking at the same time, it's as if the Evil Elvis upped sticks and move to... Portugal?!

Yep, this band is European and not from the US or even South America. Their geographical location doesn't matter to me at all- this is quality stuff and the two piece line up (drums/vocals and guitars/bass, unusually) handles the material well.

There is nothing you have not heard before, but so what?! Most bands are STILL copying Sabbath riffs, so a respectful nod to Mr Danzig is fine by me. From the opener “Born to Fall”, to the “Outro”, the influences are stamped on the bands sleeves (leather/denim/studded gauntlet- I assume). There is more to this than pure pastiche, though. “Beyond” is a rough rocker of a track and “Like Stone” is as hard and heavy as the title suggests.

The two band members nail the grooves admirably and the sound is rough and raw- Rick Rubin is not needed here as the energy crackles out of the speakers. “Old Man” really is like Prime Danzig circa “Lucifuge” or thereabouts. The latter half of the album (you get ten tracks in total- without 99 bonus tracks!) is just as strong, with “Reach The End” rushing out fast and keeping a punk-ish energy in its frantic delivery- which contrasts well with a more laid back vocal.

“Dead Corner”utilises dialogue from what is surely one of the best films of all time and sets the tone for a low down and dirty song. The final trio of “Human Prey”- which showcases excellent melodies and use of variety/dymanics, “Boiled Up” and “Outro” keep the energy levels up and the vibe cranked to maximum darkness. This is dark and dangerous rock n roll- very enjoyable.

“Closer To The Edge” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM PREMIERE: Hell In Town have produced a groove-laden brand of Heavy on new album "Bones"

When a new band and subsequent debut record hits your inbox, with descriptions of groove laden heaviness, and song craft laden with sludgy riffs, my interest levels are immediately spiking.. Enter stage left, French sluggers HELL IN TOWN, who conjure up a strong sense of southern heaviness on forthcoming record “Bones”. A southern fried riff machine but with an indefinable French quality, “Bones” is a record of notable distinction but armed with that essential addictive quality.

“Bones” is a record to quench the thirsts of those with the most insatiable appetite for riffs and today we can exclusively premiere the record in below.  Turn it up loud and let your speakers die, because we have HELL IN TOWN.  "Bones" is released on September 28th on CD via vapocalypse.fr and on all digital platforms

Band info: facebook

TRACK PREMIERE: Manchester sludgers Nomad debut "Feed"

Seeking to lay waste in an environment already dissolute, Nomad are a 4-piece sludge / doom band bred from Manchester, UK. Their aim is to send you on a bad trip or at least maim you along the way. Since forming in 2012, the Mancunian quartet has had the privilege of playing with some of the sludge / doom genre's heavyweights including Eyehategod, The Obsessed, Prong, Orange Goblin, Raging Speedhorn, Conan, Church of Misery, Bongripper, Dopethrone, Boss Keloid, BongCauldron, Gurt as well as three Terrorizer-sponsored UK tours.

Metalheads across the UK are under no illusions as to the ferocity of their live shows. “Feral” will be their first full-length album and it is set for release on thr 31st May 2018 via APF Records and today we have the pleasure of debuting a brand new track entitled “Feed”, which you can check out below.  

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Corrosion of Conformity - "No Cross No Crown"

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full length

Date Released: 12/01/2018

Label: Nuclear Blast

Dissipated is the more prevalent punk and thrash of "IX" in favor of the sound that made CoC its name, but done in a contemporary way. As such, this is Corrosion of Conformity's finest work in many years.  "No Cross No Crown is something Corrosion of Conformity fans can rejoice in.

"No Cross No Crown" CD//DD//LP track listing

1. Novus Deus

2. The Luddite

3. Cast The First Stone

4. No Cross

5. Wolf Named Crow

6. Little Man

7. Matre's Diem

8. Forgive Me

9. Nothing Left To Say

10. Sacred Isolation

11. Old Disaster

12. E.L.M.

13. No Cross No Crown

14. A Quest To Believe (A Call To The Void)

15. Son And Daughter

The Review:

Runs as long and lovely as Corrosion of Conformity sadly do not come often. While there are a few collectives that manage to stay together for extensive stretches, maintaining their levels is tough. Since 1984's "Eye for an Eye," few bands have navigated being musically innovative, commercially successful and faithful to their roots as the boys from North Carolina. Although there have been some rocky spots, the results for CoC have largely been positive.  The band has undergone some changes in its style over the decades (see its punk ethos of the 1980s and thrash/punk/crossover in the late 2000s), as well as among its lineup (most importantly the departure of frontman Pepper Keenan in 2005, after leading CoC to its biggest hits and largest arenas). Yet Corrosion of Conformity has survived it all and managed to stay a popular touring – albeit less on the sales front – performer.

When Keenan departed CoC in 2005 to lead Down, the group continued on, but never attained the heights previously touched. A break was punctuated with 2012’s self titled album, 2014's solid "IX" album and EP "Megalodon," and occasional appearances with Keenan. However, the remaining members were coy about a reunion for quite awhile. Yet the lineup's chemistry with Keenan was undeniable, and CoC headed to the studio in 2015, with Keenan back at the mic. "No Cross No Crown" is the product of those sessions.

CoC's history has been marked with many long recording pauses – keep in mind, they've had only five albums since 2000 – and lots of touring. The layoff between the harder edged "IX" and the latest is noticeable, in a positive way – not only because of the stylistic change, but because of the renewed vigor you catch early on "No Cross No Crown." Such fresh energy is irrefutably due to Keenan's rejoining the group. He and the rest of the band have an old spark back. And still, Keenan's vocal is not only enduringly compelling, but comes anew from the heavy blues cloth from which classic metal oftentimes takes cues. Dissipated is the more prevalent punk and thrash of "IX" in favor of the sound that made CoC its name, but done in a contemporary way. As such, this is Corrosion of Conformity's finest work in many years.

If you got turned on to CoC during its "Deliverance" period, a lot of that power and swagger is back. Opener "Novus Deus" slinks through your earbuds and careens right into "The Luddite," with mammoth riffs and Keenan's wicked generalship. What makes Corrosion of Conformity so fascinating in its run is how it has managed to rise above what you think about the music it does. Meaning, CoC is probably most clearly associated with hard rock and metal, but can attract fans among those who like alternative rock, stoner and heavy blues. A song like "Little Man" could easily find a home on mainstream rock radio, for instance. There are a few bands in our contemporary cadence that have managed to do a decent crossover in a fashion that flouts their genre – think System of A Down, Slipknot and a few others – which Corrosion of Conformity enters the conversation with. Obviously, that isn't a musical comparison insofar as CoC has turned their music into something that attracts attention from music fans who might vibe with their particular charisma and originality as much as the songs on "No Cross No Crown." Breathe easy for no Ed Sheeran-esque rapping or elements that detract from its brand; CoC accentuates what it does best instead, while highlighting other influences beguilingly well.

There are lots of durable metal moments on the latest recording that are sure to get longtime CoC fans hyped. "Forgive Me" is a hard rock romp with a roadhouse chaser. "Old Disaster" and "Wolf Named Crow" are vintage CoC, harkening back to its "Clean My Wounds" glory days. Lyrically, Keenan remains poignant as ever, spinning tales with many meanings and conveying messages that avoid being heavy handed, like "Cast the First Stone" ("Back in time before they crossed the line, and the truth was made of gold/Cross of paths that was based on the past, or so the story goes/Strike fear and the end draws near, and the peasants wore a blindfold"). You get the feeling, hearing something as inescapably catchy and aggressive as "E.L.M.," that there's simply a particular pleasure the foursome gets in playing together. Familiarity is part of it. So must knowing they've captured a special bolt of lightning, such as with album closer "A Quest to Believe." However that enthusiasm is distilled, its result is something Corrosion of Conformity fans can rejoice in. Now, bring on the tour.

"No Cross, No Crown" is available here

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Twelve Boar - "No Forgiveness"

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full-length

Date Released: 08/09/2017

Label: Independent

If you did not know the trio was from Aldershot, Hampshire, you would swear it was a Southern rock outfit in harder, more contemporary end of the Lynyrd Skynrd vein. Think playful storytelling, arena-rock boogie and contagious rhythms. The group knows its lane and stays in it exceedingly well.

"No Forgiveness" CD//DD track listing

1. Steppin' Up

2. Golden Goose

3. The Curtain Call

4. No Forgiveness

5. Elders From The Deep

6. Snake On A Lead

7. All the Heavy Griftin'

8. Panama

9. Hellspeed Truckin'

The Review:

The world today lives quite a bit in the 'woke' era. Everything said and not said is a statement. The news prompts reactions across the spectrum. The demands on entertainers to make moves of grand cultural and political significance, and the feelings that emerge when there are missteps or silence, seem never bigger than today. Although the world has certainly seen more profound conflicts, such as the World Wars, the conflict in Vietnam and the fall of the Soviet Union, social platforms and a constant media churn have simply amplified what happens around us, including debates and other contentions on a host of matters.

Being part of the world, extreme music worldwide is no exception. Many artists are delivering music that is largely inspired by the state of the globe. Still others give you a sound that is aimed squarely at helping you let off some steam and break away from the gnashing around us.

Formerly known as XII Boar, the United Kingdom's Twelve Boar has a straight-ahead formula: hard rock 'n' roll without the frills. Their previous record, "Beyond The Valley of The Triclops," received positive reviews. And "No Forgiveness"'s opener "Steppin' Up" demonstrates Twelve Boar has no intention of letting up on its groove-blended heavy swing. You will not find a bunch of coded messages. Instead the group drops unmistakably strapping guitars and rugged vocals.

"Snake On A Lead" is among the tracks that will snag you. If you did not know the trio was from Aldershot, Hampshire, you would swear it was a Southern rock outfit in harder, more contemporary end of the Lynyrd Skynrd vein. Think playful storytelling, arena-rock boogie and contagious rhythms. The group knows its lane and stays in it exceedingly well.

The cuts taken in full are of the classic variety, similar to squads like Motorhead, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. "All the Heavy Griftin'" and "Hellspeed Truckin'" are songs befitting the kings, and Twelve Boar will knock you out of your seat with its musical and lyrical proficiency. Additionally, with each of those inspirations, down in the gutter blues informed swaths of their catalogs. Twelve Boar reflects that too, along with a dirty bit of rhythm thrown in. From nu metal-esque rap (in a good way) tossed in on "Golden Goose" to the roadhouse affectivity in "No Forgiveness," the band declines to just make old-school tributes, and seems intent to blaze its own trail.

Billed partly as a party band, Twelve Boar unquestionably qualifies. Hard rock fans especially will find far more to love too.

"No Forgiveness" is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Vermilion Whiskey - "Spirit of Tradition"

By: Jay Hampshire

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 17/02/2017

Label: 10 South Productions

“Spirit of Tradition” CD//DD track listing:

1). Road King

2). The Past Is Dead

3). Come Find Me

4). Monolith

5). One Night

6). Loaded Up

The Review:

We don’t have to tell you that Vermilion Whiskey are from South Louisiana – it’s plain enough from the booze-and-blues soaked riffing of their latest release, ‘Spirit Of Tradition’. Six slices of southern fried hard-rock, executed with the kind of honest bar-rock conviction you’d expect to find from a self-confessed ‘working man’s band’.

‘Road King’ grabs you by the collar of your denim jacket and shoves your face right into the bargain CD bin of every hard-rock cliché imaginable. Rote lyrics, overly dramatic guitar gymnastics and slightly mumbling, crooning vocals let you know exactly what you’re in store for. ‘The Past Is Dead’ kicks off promisingly enough with an urgent, muted guitar riff, but that’s quickly nixed when all the tempo is bled out of it like a stuck pig. It winds down into a template mid-tempo groover, before a stilted galloping section and cringe worthy spoken-word vocals bloat things out so the track more than overstays its’ welcome.

‘Come Find Me’ features some decent throaty bass rumbles and steadily building toms, but the records lacklustre production job sees the low end buried under sloppy layers of slightly tinny guitars. A little more punch on the bass and drums could have done the band a lot of dynamic favours. The moody ‘Monolith’ builds slowly, with jangling guitars, lush cymbals and decent layering, but seems to want to rush too quickly into upbeat, riffier waters, rather than letting things breathe and develop.

‘One Night’ stops and starts before winding up to a Black Stone Cherry-esque mid-tempo roll that contains the lyrics, shit you not, “I drink whiskey and I cry”. Closer ‘Loaded Up’ is movement heavy, with lots of ascending and descending runs among the scratchy riffs, speeding up frantically before ending hard, and being immediately forgotten.

If you caught Vermilion Whiskey in their natural surroundings, namely a slightly scuzzy, nameless bar somewhere in the Southern USA, they’d provide an evening of worthy entertainment. Their musicianship is solid, if derivative, and there’s a sense of honesty about it – no pretence or high art here. Taken out of this context, however, they are template at best, boring at worst, doing nothing to challenge neither the listener nor the trappings of 70’s bluesy hard rock. According to ‘Road King’, “momma used to say turn that music down”. It might not be ‘rock ‘n’ roll’, but we wish they’d listened to her.

“Spirit of Tradition” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Wasted Theory - "Defenders of the Riff"

By: Eric Crowe

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 30/10/2016

Label: No Slip (Vinyl) |

Doomsayer Records (Cassette)

“Defenders of the Riff” CD//CS//DD//LP track listing:

1. Get Loud or Get Fucked

2. Black Witch Blues

3. Atomic Bikiniwax

4. AmpliFIRE!

5. Gospel of Infinity

6. Belly Fulla Whiskey

7. Under The Hoof

8. …And The Devil Makes Three

9. Throttlecock

10. Odyssey Of The Electric Warlock

The Review:

“Defenders of the Riff” is right! Thank God for bands like Wasted Theory that keep straight up rock ‘n roll alive and well. High in the ranks along with Gruzer and The Medusa, this album is some serious hard hitting slab of badass, from the killer artwork by Alexander Von Weiding to the intense drive and catchy hooks. This album is perfectly crafted and completely ups the ante from “Death and Taxes” which was a flawless album in itself. Dirty rock, gritty vocals mixed either with riffs that have tons of drive, or slow chug that even makes you feel like a badass. Drums are fluent, clean, yet powerful as fuck. From beginning to end “Defenders of the Riff” will not disappoint.

These guys have really crafted something great and I know that I have been hooked on it for the past week, so I’m curious to see what will come in the future. This is definitely for fans of Clutch and Nashville Pussy, so get on this album.

 “Defenders of the Riff” is available here

 Band info: bandcamp || facebook

Black Tusk - "Pillars of Ash" (Album Review)

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 29/01/2016

Label:  Relapse Records

As per previous records, you get a kind of Southern sludge Motorhead: “God's On Vacation” roars out of your speakers and then “Desolation of Endless Times” just levels you. This is visceral stuff and has absolutely every needle in the red. Truly, the record form thereon in is pretty much unstoppable. To say that there is anything new here or any kind of left turn would be inaccurate. It is Black Tusk, more of the same; heads down and flat out.  The new era of Black Tusk should be celebrated as the band have chosen to push forwards after a most horrendous event. Their life force refuses to be dimmed, and this record is a shining example of grace under pressure and as fine a statement of intent as you will find.

“Pillars of Ash” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). God’s on Vacation

2). Desolation in Endless Times

3). Bleed on Your Shoes

4). Born of Strife

5). Damned in the Ground

6). Beyond the Divide

7). Black Tide

8). Still not Well

9). Walk Among the Sky

10). Punkout

11). Leveling

The Review:

Black Tusk are a great band. A power trio of enormous power and life force. Tragically, of course, Athon- the bass player and co-vocalist died after a motorcycle accident back in 2014. This record, and the band's prior albums, stands as testament to his life in music and what he stood for. Uncompromising rock and roll at maximum volume is contained herein.

There is eleven tracks on offer here. All to the point, raucous and so full of joie de vivre. Having seen them in London on Athon's last visit to these shores, I knew that live they took no prisoners and just played full on and joyously.

As per previous records, you get a kind of Southern sludge Motorhead: “God's On Vacation” roars out of your speakers and then “Desolation of Endless Times” just levels you. This is visceral stuff and has absolutely every needle in the red. Truly, the record form thereon in is pretty much unstoppable. To say that there is anything new here or any kind of left turn would be inaccurate. It is Black Tusk, more of the same; heads down and flat out. They lack the commercial and progressive leanings of Mastodon, say, and are a very different proposition to fellow Savannah dwellers Baroness. They operate within their own niche; a combination of those bands, Kylesa and Motorhead.

There is no let up as “Born of Strife” pushes the tempo, threatening to veer out of control at any moment. “Damned in the Ground” is more measured, but still a hell of a noise. Riffs and pounding drums, screams and rumbling bass tones. Incredibly, the half way point of “Beyond The Divide” flies past as the album just relentlessly ploughs on through “Black Tide” and onwards. The production is excellent, by the way; live and raw sounding with real drums and guitars sounding like they were played through amps which were turned up to the max. “Still Not Well” turns out to be something of a highlight in the latter stages of the album, but honestly it is hard to pick stand outs. Generally, all the music here is great and all played with total commitment to the cause of making noisy rock and roll. It is perhaps fair to say that there are no huge hooks, no truly memorable melodies. Instead you get an approach, and attitude and a sound that is uniform and consistent throughout.

By the time of the hardcore inflected “Walk Among The Sky” and “Punk Out” the record is drawing to a close and it is fair to say that it has clipped past at a fast rate. “Leveling” closes proceedings and marks the end of an era for the band. With Athon gone, the band press on with a new man on bass and vocals. The new era of Black Tusk should be celebrated as the band have chosen to push forwards after a most horrendous event. Their life force refuses to be dimmed, and this record is a shining example of grace under pressure and as fine a statement of intent as you will find. 2016 is off to a flying musical start. 

“Pillars of Ash” is available here

FFO: Kylesa, Mastodon, Baroness, High on Fire

Band info: bandcamp | facebook

King Giant - ‘Black Ocean Waves’ (Album Review)

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 30/06/2015

Label: Independent

All in all, I haven't heard a record of this type that is this good for a long time. If you enjoy Monster Magnet, Mastodon, Danzig, The Doors, Scissorfight and so on, you will find a lot to enjoy here. This is fantastic heavy rock music with a dark vibe and a metal heart... One more thing: it is relentlessly, unbelievably, deliciously, catchy.

‘Black Ocean Waves’ CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Mal De Mer
2. The One That God Forgot To Save
3. Requiem For A Drunkard
4. Red Skies
5. Trail Of Thorns
6. Blood Of The Lamb
7. The Gentleman Carny
8. There Were Bells

King Giant is:

Floyd Walters III | bass

Todd "t.i." Ingram | lead guitar

Dave Hammerly | vocals

Brooks | drums

David Kowalski | rhythm guitar

The Review:

These Americans know how it's done. This one grabs you from the off. It is a really easy record to listen to. Neither complex or repetitive, their sound is best described as a mixture of a straightforward Mastodon with Scissorfight, accompanied by a Danzig/Morrison sound-alike on vocals.

Indeed, Dave Hammerley is the ace up the band's sleeve. His vocals really lift the album beyond the many acts offering up dumbed-down-Mastodonisms. His is a great voice of hard living experience. I guess ‘Requiem for a drunkard’ sums up his lyrical modus operandi excellently. He has a great voice and a great vibe. Naturally as the vocals are actual singing, it also lifts the band above the rest of the pack and marks them out not only as different, but also as better.

The likes of ‘Blood of The Lamb’ and ‘The Gentleman Carny’ are just easy and compelling listens. The tracks are not lightweight by any means, but the songs are well crafted and just allow the record to slide by. With tracks like ‘Trail of Thorns’ sounding a little like Fu Manchu on a bad trip, the band mix their Americana with their metal, a little like a less abrasive Artimus Pyledriver (remember them? Great band).

All in all, I haven't heard a record of this type that is this good for a long time. If you enjoy Monster Magnet, Mastodon, Danzig, The Doors, Scissorfight and so on, you will find a lot to enjoy here. This is fantastic heavy rock music with a dark vibe and a metal heart... One more thing: it is relentlessly, unbelievably, deliciously, catchy.

‘Black Ocean Waves’ is available here

Band info: official | bandcamp | facebook | twitter

Interview with PLAINRIDE

When my good pal – Timon Menge – advised me to check out a cool Stoner/Rock and Roll band by the name of Plainride I checked them out as Timon knows his stuff as he also runs Sludge Worm Magazine. So he's the premier authority along with his partner in crime - Andy on German Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal music.

I was blown away by what I had heard. As Plainride are not your average Stoner Rock/Metal band. They inject a huge stream of Desert Rock, Fuzz Rock, Southern Rock and good old fashioned Rock and Roll. Now these Stoner Rock Outlaws are about to release their superb debut album – Return Of The Jackalope – And believe me when I tell you it's 71 mins of fuel injected Stoner Rock goddness.

Return Of The Jackalope is going to be released very soon along with my review. Before then I was given the chance to interview Max Rebel (Vox/Guitar) and Fabe van Fuzz (Guitar) from the band. And this is what they had to say.

1 – Hi guys. How's it going. Thanks for doing this interview. Much appreciated as we're huge fans of you guys.

Max: It’s an honor. Thanks for having us!

Photo Credit - Philipp Buron

2 – Can you tell our readers of how the band came about and where it is today.

Max: When I moved to Cologne back in 2012 I was looking for a new project and started digging through the local musicians groups online where eventually Fabe stumbled upon one of my posts. I guess the first time we met had a general awkwardness to it - till we discovered that we are both huge Eagles Of Death Metal fans. Ever since then our mission was clear. We later got Andrew (The Beermachine) involved on drums after a shady dude at a party gave us his contact info and then even later Leo on bass, whom we just discovered passed out in our rehearsal room one day.

After recording the album in 2014, Andrew went forth to pursue his career as undoubtedly the best drummer in Colognian carnival rock music. Luckily we managed to get Damian (The Brute) on board after him rescuing us from a possessed Yeti on our annual camping trip.

So now we’re here, waiting for the release of our first record, stoked as a goat and with absolutely no idea what awaits us on the other side.

3 – We are here to talk about your new album – Return Of The Jackalope. Now I've heard it a few times and it's a kick-ass album. But in your own words what can people expect from it.

Max: Thanks. I’d say people can expect an epic adventure straight from the desert, featuring some really catchy tunes, a phat vintage vibe and a shit-ton of booze.

4 – What inspired you or influenced you when recording the album.

Fabe: All. The. Beer.

Max: Not to mention the Polish cuisine, gallons of coffee and some quality Herbes de Provence.

5 – It's an epic album. 71 mins in length. Was it your intention to record something as epic as that for your debut record. Or did you just have to many great songs not to leave out.

Fabe: We just didn’t want to stop playing. But seriously though, I think a debut should contain all the band’s ideas and that’s exactly what we did.

Max: It really bothers me that a lot of bands make their first “professional” appearance with an EP. To me that’s like applying with only half a résumé. Obviously you gotta put some demos out there and any handcrafted mini-release is totally cool, but if you really wanna put yourself out there, you better make goddamn sure to do it with a bang!

6 – The album feels like a soundtrack to a long lost Desert Rock Road Movie as it has that kind of vibe especially with the soundbytes at the start of the album. Or am I just looking to much into this.

Fabe: Well we had this rough idea to arrange the track list in the same way as with a concept album. I mean it sure isn’t a concept album, but as you said it got that vibe.

Max: First of all I appreciate you saying this as I feel kind of the same way. And to all you Desert Rock Road Movie makers out there: you heard the man, go hire us! Alright now lemme go full singer-songwriter on you here: To me, the album also has this weird soundtrack-ish appeal even though the songs aren’t referencing each other or anything. However, Iyric- as well as sound-wise I feel like there’s this array of different universes and timelines we are covering that are partly separate but still connected. Return Of The Jackalope and Salt River for example to me both belong in this same sinister 1800’s Wild West tale, whereas Devil At Your Heels and Warpdrive are definitely pointing towards some Space Age thriller. Actually, thinking about this, I guess there’s a recurring motive of freedom and independence that’s inherent to every song on the album. Holy shit, we’re deep.

7 – Your album is already generating a lot of BUZZ within the Stoner Rock community. Did you expect that to happen. Did you know you have a great album on your hands.

Max: I was aware of people enjoying our music and I know we made a killer album, but whatever evil witchcraft the shit is that’s going down as of right now is totally beyond me.

Fabe: Return Of The Jackalope isn’t your typical Stoner Rock album that’s for sure. As I like to say: we just play Rock ’n’ Roll from the desert. I really love the album and we hope the community will dig it too!

8 – What is the song writing dynamic in the band. Is it a group process or is it down to one individual.

Fabe: Usually Max or myself come up with a riff and then stuff happens, haha. The whole band works on it until it’s a real song. It’s really important to us that everybody in the band likes it and is satisfied with whatever result we end up with.

9 – How would you describe the bands sound. As I feel it's best coming from the bands themselves.

Fabe: Rock ’n’ Roll from the desert!

Max: Kickass Stoner Rock ’n’ Roll with Jackalopes!

10 – We have to talk about the awesome album cover. Who designed this and how much input did you have into the final design.

Fabe: My buddy and best friend Artur Bäcker designed it. He’s immensely talented and I knew he was the right guy for the job. He just gave us two sketches with different styles to choose from in the beginning and then worked his magic. I think the result is fucking epic!

11 - Your new album is being released by a new label called Beerfuzz Records. How did you hook up with them. Did you have any other offers from other labels. (Sorry Timon – I had to ask dude. If you don't know folks Beerfuzz is a new label created by a good pal of mine – Timon Menge – who also co-runs the fantastic website – Sludge Worm Magazine).

Max: Haha, Timon you sneaky ol’ bastard. Full disclosure: we met Timon quite a while ago at one of our shows after I had done an interview for Sludge Worm. That must’ve been the night he started putting stuff in our drinks. A year or so later the dosage had probably reached critical mass and now we’re all just a bunch of mindless zombies doing whatever he says. No, but seriously: Timon is a great guy / evil mastermind, who knows just what to do most of the time and we’d all be lost without him. I don’t recall any other labels asking us, which is probably gonna go down in Rock history as the single worst collective decision of the music industry in a few years.

12 – Which bands and artists got you involved with music. Was it a particular band or album that made you decide to become a musician.

Fabe: Mississippi Queen by Mountain. Leslie West is the fucking man!

Max: Probably the first time I saw EODM perform live. I was 15 and they didn’t have a press section in front of the stage yet. By the end of the show the crowd stormed the stage and I played air guitar back to back with Jesse Hughes. That’s when I lost my soul to Rock ’n’ Roll.

13 – You’re from Germany which has a great Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal Scene. What is the scene actually like in Germany. Is it thriving or does it still remain in the underground.

Max: There’s definitely a thriving scene in Germany and we hope to be able to actively push that development forward - not only in regard for Stoner but live music in general. Sometimes it’s still tough to find your niche between bullshit pop and old father Metal that seems to be clutching Germany like a monarch overstaying his welcome, but it’s getting easier and I’m confident that music with a lot of groove to it is always gonna make its way - even in the cold north.

14 – Do you play a lot of gigs in your hometown or do you have to travel further afield to perform regular. And how would you best describe the Plainride live experience.

Max: It’s been quite a while now since we last played Cologne. Luckily there’s a lot of go-to places with great venues nearby - like Vortex in Siegen and Waldmeister in Solingen. We’re super excited for all the upcoming shows in strange new places also though. The Plainride live experience I’d say is of pretty fast pace, includes a lot of humor, a lot of headbanging and obviously loads and loads and LOADS of beer.

15 – Are there plans for you to tour overseas in the near future or so. Or is still to early to do at this point in your career.

Max: Lemme just check my bucket list. Says right here:

- play at The Viper Room

- record album at The Machine Shop

Well. Guess we’re gonna have to head over there someday.

16 – Well guys thanks for doing this interview. Before we go, do you have anything to say to your fans.

Max: Thanks a ton for having us! Fans out there, you guys are the best, we love you, stay in school, listen to your moms and don’t drink shitty beer! Cheers!

All the best with your new album as it's a fantastic record. My review will be coming soon.

I want to thank Timon Menge for arranging this interview. Return Of The Jackalope will be released via BeerFuzz Records on CD/DD from July 24^th 2015.

Words by Steve Howe, Max Rebel and Fabe van Fuzz

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