ALBUM REVIEW: The Atomic Bitchwax - "Force Field"

By: Victor Van Ommen

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 08/12/2017

Label: Tee Pee Records

"Force Field" is an album that punches you in the face from the moment is starts, and keeps up its unrelenting force until the album’s grand finale. The songs are short, they’re fast, and each one hits its chorus within 30 seconds. There are no frills, no bullshit, just straight up rock n’roll with attitude.

“Force Field” CD//DD//LP track listing:

01. Hippie Speedball
02. Earth Shaker (Which Doobie U Be)
03. Alaskan Thunder Fuck
04. Shocker
05. Crazy
06. Fried Dyed And Layin To The Side
07. Shell of a Man
08. Houndstooth
09. Tits and Bones
10. Humble Brag
11. Super Highway
12. Liv A Little

The Review:

When The Atomic Bitchwax got their start in the 90’s, they offered up the flip side of the coin to the West Coast’s Fu Manchu. Like the Fu, The Atomic Bitchwax also had punk roots, dirty guitars, hard drumming and a link to rock royalty. What sets these bands apart is mostly the themes in the lyrics. Fu Manchu sings about babes and cars, The Atomic Bitchwax spits lyrics about drugs and flying through space. Sure, this is a pretty blunt summation of both bands, but the bottom line is, The Atomic Bitchwax appeals to the space-punkers. Their music is for those who want their Monster Magnet faster and their Fu Manchu more psychedelic. The Atomic Bitchwax fills that void perfectly.

In layman’s terms, The Atomic Bitchwax is a stoner rock band. But as Monster Magnet continues their way back to their psychedelic beginnings and Fu Manchu gets heavier, The Atomic Bitchwax once again fills the void between these two and does so by dropping the “stoner” tag. The word “rock” is what remains, and that’s just what we need in these times of pigeonholing bands into genres that are so specific that there’s no fun left in the music.

On December 8, The Atomic Bitchwax are going to drop a belter of an album. It goes by the name “Force Field” and its one helluva rock album. It’s one that punches you in the face from the moment is starts, and keeps up its unrelenting force until the album’s grand finale. The songs are short, they’re fast, and each one hits its chorus within 30 seconds. There are no frills, no bullshit, just straight up rock n’roll with attitude.

Opener “Hippie Speedball” is a quick two-and-a-half minute glimpse of what the band is here to do; rock. Follow-up “Earth Shaker” does the same, and the increasing speed and intensity in the third song “Alaskan Thunder Fuck” nails down the band’s mission statement. The cuts are teeming with vocal harmonies, polished beyond belief but no less sharp and mean. And when Pantella pounds on his drums, you can hear him grinning with satisfaction. Kosnik and Finn are also grinning, no doubt about that, and this adds to the album’s presentation. The band is smug, they know they’re kicking ass and they know their licks are second nature. This is rock n' roll.

“Force Field” confirms the direction The Atomic Bitchwax took on 2015’s “Gravitron.” On “Force Field,” the New Jersey three-piece don’t do much more than open the flood gates and barrage the listener with hard-ass riffing and tight-ass rhythms. This happened in 2015 and it’s happening again now. Therefore, the simple conclusion is, if you dug “Gravitron,” you’ll love “Force Field.”

“Force Field” is available here

Band info: facebook

“Alive and Spaced”: A Live Review of Monster Magnet (March 25, 2016, Tivoli, Utrecht)

By: Victor Van Ommen

When Dave Wyndorf took to the stage last Friday night in Utrecht’s Tivoli, he was smiling. On either side of him stood a guitarist, making for a three pronged attack of the six strings. Behind him was The Atomic Bitchwax’s rhythm section, which was so tight you could bounce a quarter off their grooves. At the feet of these Lords of Space Rock stood a rowdy crowd ready to get their Friday night going. No wonder Dave was smiling.

“Crop Circle” opened up the set as people were settling in with the evening’s first beer. Wyndorf stood at the very front of the stage with his foot on the monitor, and sang his heart out. Those in the back or all the way on the balcony were being included in the spectacle. The Space Rock Monster forgot no one. With a twinkle in his eye, Wyndorf assured us that this was going to be a great show.

“Powertrip” and “Melt” were played with a sense of authority, coming across as though the band had already been on stage for hours. Monster Magnet didn’t need one or two songs to get their engine warmed up, they were firing on all cylinders from the word go. It was clear this energy was being picked up by the crowd in how we were all in agreement that we were never going to work another goddamned day in our lives and we were going to watch that plastic soul melt!

“Superjudge” and “Twin Earth” made for one of the friendliest pits I’ve ever experienced. Those bouncing around were doing so softly, leaving the aggression of a punk rock show at the door. Dave and his cronies weren’t here to fight; they were here to share stories of love, lust and space, which was a frequency we are all tuned in to.

About an hour into the show, the opening riff of “Dopes to Infinity” rang through the hall and made for the highlight of my night. To a video of naked ladies and old school comics on the backdrop and one wild light show, Wyndorf took his favorite spot in front of the stage once again, guitar slung around his neck, crotch out, and belted the beloved lines “we are all here my friends, alive and spaced but oh so beautiful” to a near capacity crowd that hung on Dave’s every word.

There was electricity in the air. The band was burning the brightest it had been all night and the crowd was lit. For a moment like this, there was really no other song fitting to close out the set than “Spacelord.” And that’s exactly what Monster Magnet did. Dave implored us to sing along with his two favorite words in the English language – “mother fucker” – and the crowd obeyed. In fact, the crowd sang along so loud with every word of this classic Magnet tune that the band was barely audible. Monster Magnet then left the stage but the crowd refused to call it a night.

Cooing and cawing ensued, begging – nay, imploring - Dave and his buddies to come back. The band obeyed and returned for a three song encore of “I Want More,” “Face Down,” and “Negasonic Teenage Warhead,” before saying good night one final time. The guys left with arms around each other’s shoulders, smiling from ear to ear, and left a satisfied crowd in their wake.

Well done, Monster Magnet. You’ll always be welcome in Utrecht.

A Year in Review: Victor Van Ommen's Top 10 Records of 2015

By: Victor Van Ommen

2015 was a year which brought out two heavy rock masterpieces and one Clutch album. These three albums are tied for my number one spot. The other seven records on my top ten are there because of how god damn tasty the jams were and that a feeling of guilt rose up inside of me every time I returned the album to its sleeve. Though in terms of innovation and genre-defying riffs, there was little on offer in 2015 but none the less, I got quite a kick out these ten albums and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. So without further ado, my top ten albums of 2015 are: (click on the artwork for full review links)

10). Brent Best – “Your Dog, Champ”

In the song “Good Man Now,” Brent Best sings:

Momma, you always told me that the only good man was a dead man

and I guess it had something to do with who you chose to be your husband

So I go to him at night and I nailed him to his bed

And I stood there and I laughed while the sheets were dripping red

So momma please don’t cry, he’s a good man now

It may be acoustic but hot damn, its heavier than a slab of Texas BBQ Spare Ribs.

9).  Ecstatic Vision – Sonic Praise

Ecstatic Vision released a strong debut that mixed elements of Hawkwind with Monster Magnet. So I ask you, what’s not to like?

8). Weeed – Our Guru Brings Us the Black Master Sabbath

These guys took me by surprise. I generally let bands with such names pass me by because I’m a fan of subtlety but I couldn’t deny the raw, spiritual groove in album opener “Bullfrog.” I don’t remember why I put the song on in the first place but I’m glad I did.

7) The Midnight Ghost Train – Cold Was the Ground

Aside from this album being 11 songs of hard-rock riffs that pound you in the face, there’s not much here in terms of wow-factor. That said this doesn’t take away from how good these songs are. At times they miss a little depth but the amount of energy exuding from these tracks makes up for it.

6). Death Alley – Black Magick Boogieland

There are a surprising amount of fantastic Dutch bands out there – I’m looking at you, Astrosoniq – and now we can add Death Alley to that list. Check these guys out, you won’t regret it.

5). Snail – Feral

I had never been completely impressed by Snail but I also never gave them a fair chance. This changed when I was sent their new album “Feral,” to review. As an album, it pits heavy riffing against a light vocal delivery which is a combination that will get me every time.

4). The Atomic Bitchwax – Gravitron

This shit-kickin’, diesel-fueled barn burner of an album is all things that I like about stoner rock. Speed, riffs, solos, drums, and strong choruses. I can’t get enough of these guys.

3). Clutch – Psychic Warfare

I can’t remember the last time a Clutch album didn’t rock. I’m hearing a lot of grief that “Psychic Warfare” sounds too much like “Earth Rocker.” My response to this is, “so what, that was a damn good album, too!” In my book, Clutch can do no wrong.

2). All Them Witches – Dying Surfer Meets His Maker

All Them Witches is a band that I wish had more than just three albums out. With their new one, “Dying Surfer Meets His Maker,” the band has crafted something that is heavy according to every definition of the word while never really going over the top. They take their time unfolding these tunes yet the album is still too short. I can’t get enough of these guys. An absolute classic that I will be talking about for years to come.

1). Elder – Lore

I never liked Elder very much. And then Lore came out. Now I can’t stop listening to them.

A Year in Review: The Stoner Sonic 6 2015

By:  Aaron Pickford

Everyone gravitates to a favourite genre and each has its own merit, therefore I thought it would be a good idea to highlight, “six of the best” releases of 2015 within our most popular genres.  So today, as we reflect upon an awesome year of music in 2015, we present the Stoner “Sonic 6” for 2015

The Sludgelord’s ‘Sonic 6’ for 2015 is compiled based upon page views alone and calibrated into the list below, we will be presenting further lists during the lead up to Christmas, but for today roll up, kick back and Hail the riff!  Check out the Stoner “Sonic 6” for 2015 (full reviews can be viewed by clicking the artwork and total views since the date of publication are highlight in red). 

6). Godsleep – “Thousand Sons of Sleep” (625)

I think the reason why the record works so well is the musical chemistry which is fantastic. “Thousand Sons of Sleep” is a deep and complex record with a lot to offer. I’m recommending buying this record, the boys in Godsleep are quite good at what they do and this record proves it well.

5). 
The Midnight Ghost Train – “Cold Was The Ground” (685)

When they opened Desert fest last year, they were the band that I compared all other bands to and with the exception of Clutch, the conclusion was always the same; The  Midnight Ghost Train did it better. With this album already in my fixed rotation, 2015 is looking like it’s going to pan out like that one weekend in Berlin. Though music is not a competition, I’m curious to hear who will bring out an album this year that tops “Cold Was the Ground.”

4). Acid King – “Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everywhere” (712)

There are countless stoner and doom metal bands around in the modern era, however when you get a band like Acid King that have been around for over two decades, you have to feel a sense of excitement over a new release. They helped write the book of stoner/doom/fuzz rock emanating from the early nineties, and their new opus is one of absolute greatness. The eight tracks on, ‘Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everywhere’, flow majestically and organically. This is an album that will only mature and sound better each time.

3). Kult of The Wizard – “The White Wizard” (975)

Kult Of The Wizard have delivered a truly wonderful EP for everyone to check out. Lets hope their full length record is good as this as this band have potential to something very special in the years to come.  This is Outstanding.

2). 
The Atomic Bitchwax – “Gravitron” (979)

With ‘Gravitron’ the band has done a great job at solidifying their sound. Though familiar, it’s still fresh and hopefully the beginning of a long chapter for TAB. ‘Gravitron’ is an album on which you can hear the band having a good time and playing from the heart. There’s not a note out of place and even the instrumental cuts are worth their time. Here’s to a job well done for TAB.

1). Belzebong – “Greenferno” (1162)

‘Inhale in Hell’ honestly is just one massive slow chug fest, filling every available space with some ridiculous throbbing string torture with a sweet backing beat. It sounds akin to a giant walking the earth, simply moving things aside without noticing. True evil blues this band has summoned, and you the listener, shall reap their rewards! From that slow, massive chugging into feedback and staccato wah picking, they have no problems slamming you up against the wall and rifling through your pockets for some loose cash.

Reviews featured in this article were written by: Hunter Young, Victor Van Ommen, Steve Howe, Dominic Walsh, Theron Moore

Interview: Victor van Ommen talks with The Atomic Bitchwax @ Desertfest Berlin April 2015

What’s left to say about The Atomic Bitchwax? We know they’re a power trio from another dimension and they’ll take you on a zany trip through the outer limits of your mind. The latest addition to their discography, “Gravitron,” is getting praise left, right, and center and unsurprisingly made it onto The Sludgelord’s Sour 16 in April. Needless to say, it wasn’t so surprising that they had the crowd at Desertfest Berlin eating out of their hands last April as they stomped their way across the stage and through their set to a backdrop of sped up space-themed visualizations. After their show I got to sit down with singer and bass player Chris Kosnik for an amusing conversation about the band, the tour, and their new album. Check out the interview right now: 

Words and interview by: Victor van Ommen

Camera by: Martin Luyckx

Live Review: Desertfest Berlin, 25/4/2015

Day 3 - Saturday - Touch Down

The other night, it occurred to me that I have been going to festivals and concerts for more than half of my life. This trips me out a little; I’m only 30, but this three-day festival is already giving me a run for my money. From the moment that the jack ass’s alarm went off in the morning, I knew day three would be a bit of a challenge to get through. With sleep still in my eyes, I fished around in my backpack for the day’s running order and was pleasantly surprised to see that the scheduled bands were primarily laid back and psychedelic. Thumbs up to the programmer for that.

Mother Engine

Tau broke in the day with their meditative grooves and head-in-the-clouds lyrics. I didn’t know much about the band before their set, which makes sense because as it turns out Desertfest was their first show. They may have a few kinks to work out - some things worked, others didn’t - so I’d be curious to check back in with them a few years down the road. Then it was time for Mother Engine in the main hall, a local band that borrows as much from Colour Haze as they do from clichés, but they make it work. They’re mostly instrumental, with the exception of two songs that featured guest singers, and they rocked. At one point, the guitarist’s amp blew out, turning the band into a two piece, but rather than crumbling in front of a crowd of a couple hundred, the bass and drums kept on rocking as the guitarist scrambled around looking for a new amp. Very professional, to say the least, and it showed that these guys were a tight knit unit. During this setback they were able to communicate without words, just music. That’s damn commendable!

Cigale

When Mother Engine finished their set most people went outside to bask in the sun but I opted to hang out in front of the left speaker in the small hall. Cigale was about to go on, which is a band that has won me over as a fan in their short time together. This was a show I didn’t want to miss. Cigale is a spinoff of Sungrazer, though when I interviewed them later in the day, that band’s name never came up in conversation. Either I didn’t ask the right questions or they wanted to leave their history for what it is. Cigale is musically far removed from Sungrazer, actually, by means of their soft, delicate touch. The band is psychedelic but in their own way; no blistering guitar solos, just a blanket of warm tones and lush vocal melodies. Granted, Cigale is probably pretty light for the average Sludgelord reader, but if you aren’t scared to loosen the reigns every once in a while then give these Dutchies a listen.

Dopethrone was next but I had to skip their show to interview Cigale. Missing Dopethrone was kind of a bummer, but the life of a cutthroat journalist like myself is tough, man. Just a second, let me put my tongue deep into my cheek. Ok, there we go, let’s carry on.

The Atomic Bitchwax

The Atomic Bitchwax are awesome and were a welcome shot of ass-kickery. They broke the day’s laid back psychedelic swaying in style, busting down doors and taking names as they ran through half of their new album, “Gravitron,” and filled the rest of their set with some classics. “Shitkicker,” as expected, was gnarly and it was cool to see Bob Pantella of Monster Magnet fame let loose with his hometown buddies Chris and Finn. Upbeat, psychedelic, freakout space rock from beginning to end – the perfect recipe for good times all around. I had a sit down with Chris after the show, but more on that when we publish the interview.

After interviewing Chris I was pretty much done with my journalistic duties. I had no more interviews scheduled, which I took as an invitation to start knocking back cold ones. I bought a round of beers for my friends and we dove back into the cave that was Astra Kultuurhaus for My Sleeping Karma, whose set really mellowed the mood again. No complaints there, especially since I was really in the mood for laid back grooves when I woke up in the morning, but My Sleeping Karma didn’t exactly keep the party atmosphere alive, and at this point, that's what I was looking for. Instead they provided a good opportunity for the festival goers to recharge their batteries for Red Fang.

Red Fang

I skipped out on Toner Low because I was still looking for a party, so I filled up on more sausage and beer. You might think that by this point I had enough of that but that wasn’t the case. We ran into Hans from Cigale, chatted with him a bit before making our way back to the bar where we had an incredibly entertaining conversation with some Germans, making social commentary and the like. So the vibe was right again and Red Fang was about to hit the stage so back inside we went. Red Fang had also been partying, like they always do, I imagine, and they translated their enthusiasm into a rollicking set of the band’s classics – “Wires” and stuff like that –even throwing in two or three new ones. They plowed through their set with ease, handing the festival its collective ass on a silver platter before sending us on our way.

So that was it. Three days of loud rock music, beer and sausage. It was hard to believe that it had come to an end. We ended up having a bit of an after party with some street musicians in front of our hostel, but once they started vomiting violently and then busted out their vodka from a plastic bottle, we realized our weekend had definitively come to a close.

Desertfest, thanks again for the good times. Thank you Sylvain and Anna from Sound of Liberation for hooking me up with a photo pass and bringing me back to meet the bands. Thank you Mona from Napalm Records for setting up an interview with Brant Bjork, and of course, thank you Brant Bjork, Cigale, and The Atomic Bitchwax for taking the time out of your busy schedules to sit down with some dude and answer a couple of questions. Aaron Pickford gets thanks here, too. This was all his idea and he put me in contact with all these folks. Thanks for that. I’ll be back next year.

Words by: Victor Van Ommen

The Sludgelord's Sour 16 for April 2015

Welcome to The Sludgelord’s Sour 16. Each month, you the reader are unwittingly compiling a list of the top 16 records of the month, covering all genres of metal, but predominately the best the doom, sludge, stoner-psychedelic genres have to offer. I have been promising to do this since the beginning of the year and in essence you can call it what you wish, is it chart? Not really.  It is merely the 16 records you guys have been most interested in over the last month and you have been checking out on this very page.

Our idea for this thing was to turn the power over to you guys, yes it would be easy for us to choose our favourite records of the months, however it is you the reader, the fans that support these bands, buy their records and attend their shows.  So here is the inarguable Sour 16, the 16 records you’re most looking forward too or are currently checking out.  Check em out, spread the word and perhaps revisit some records you may have overlooked.  

The results are compiled based on page views alone and calibrated into the list below. So without further ado, this is the Sour 16. So until next month, roll up, kick back, chug a beer and Hail the riff! All review links, are held under the artwork.   

  

16). Wild Throne – ‘War Is A Romance’ (299 views)

Read the review

15). Ghold – ‘Of Ruin’ (301 views)

Read the review

14). Iced Out – ‘Man’s Ruin’ (304 views)

Read the review

13). Abrahma – ‘Reflections in the Bowels of the Bird’ (305 views)

Read the review

12). Domovoyd – ‘Domovoyd’ (314 views)

Read the review

11). Holy Serpent – ‘Holy Serpent’ (315 views)

Read the review

10). Fister – ‘VI’ (322 views)

Read the review

9). Deep Sea Thunder Beast – ‘So Goes The Madness’ (336 views)

Read the review

8). War Iron – ‘Precession of the Equinoxes’ (361 views)

Read the review

7). Drudkh – ‘A Furrow Cut Short’ (381 views)

Read the review

6). Acid King – ‘Middle of Nowhere, Center of Everywhere’  (383 views)

Read the review

5). Weedpecker – ‘II’ (385 views)

Read the review

4). Red Mountains – ‘Sun’ (475 views)

Read the review

3). The Atomic Bitchwax – ‘Gravitron’ (618 views)

Read the review

2). Stonebirds – ‘Into The Fog...And The Filty Air’ (649 views)

Read the review

1). Faith No More – ‘Sol InVictus’ (985 views)

Read the review