ALBUM REVIEW: Stonekind, "Spirit of the Void"

By: Peter Morsellino

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 11/06/2021
Label: Salem Stone Records

 
“Spirit of the Void” DD track listing:
 
1. Ashes, Pt. 1 
2. Ashes, Pt. 2 
3. Spirit of the void 
4. Nowhere's home 
5. Untethered
6. Swamp stomp 
7. Dust 
8. Behold the stone 
9. Nomadic
 
The Review: 
 
Mixing a heavy progressive rock sound with a distinct stoner rock groove, North Carolina’s Stonekind offer up a uniquely haunting sound that must be heard to be fully appreciated. With a fuzzed-out desert rock base to work from, “Spirit of the Void” mixes genres into a finely balanced witches brew that is sure to delight anyone in search of a new sonic experience.  
 
Stonekind’s emotive sound stems straight from the heart, and that comes across fully on the album’s finished product. You can tell at first glance that the musicians involved threw themselves wholly into this project. Songs are masterfully crafted into full spectrum musical experiences that will take listeners on a journey. I can’t stress enough how much heart is presented in each bit of this album. It feels special and it invites the listener to become a part of it.       
Songs like “Swamp Stomp” showcase the band’s heavy grooves while offering up high doses of psychedelia for listeners to revel in. Grooves are infectiously catchy and easy to get into. This is an album that you can dance to all night long. Best experienced, in my opinion, in one solid listen, the musical experience that Stonekind  
offers up is simply extraordinary. It’s a sound that you can completely lose yourself in.         
 
I would recommend this one to anyone who might be suffering a bit of a lull in their musical enjoyment. This is exactly the type of thing that will get listeners out of the deepest of ruts. A varied mash of genres coming together to create something new and wonderful. Give it a listen. You will not regret it.       
 
“Spirit of the Void” is available HERE 

Band info: Facebook || Bandcamp || Instagram
 

EXCLUSIVE TRAILER: Genre and Where Earthless Fits

San Diego-based trio Earthless return with their new full-length album “Black Heaven” on March 16 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.  As commented on this here blog, the synchronicity displayed and the deep understanding of each other’s playing styles sets them apart from most instrumental jam bands right now, the trio, consisting of Isaiah Mitchell (Guitar), Mike Eginton (Bass) and Mario Rubalcaba (Drums) have an untouchable ability to jam flawlessly, fusing heavy psychedelic rock with krautrock and blues.  Today THE SLUDGELORD are thrilled to be able to share an exclusive trailer of the band sharing their thoughts on genre and where Earthless fits.  “Black Heaven” is available here 

Band info: facebook

ALBUM REVIEW & TRACK PREMIERE: Stonebirds - "Time"

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 20/10/2017

Label: Independent

The group merges many influences into a package that still sounds true to the subgenre. Stonebirds is adept at exploring concepts in their music that make it even more intriguing. To put it simply, the trio is one of the Europe's more intriguing stoner/doom performers today. "Time," far exceeds expectations and situates Stonebirds as a band to keep an eye on.

“Time” CD//DD track listing

1. I

2. Sacrifice

3. Blackened Sky

4. Only time

5. Shutter part I

6. Shutter part II

7. Animals

8. II

The Review:

Rostrenen, France's Stonebirds received much acclaim for its 2015 release "Into the Fog… And the Flithy Air." The stoner/doom crew was noted in particular for its originality. If you scan that record again, you will hear why it was so appreciated. The group merges many influences into a package that still sounds true to the subgenre. Stonebirds is adept at exploring concepts in their music that make it even more intriguing. To put it simply, the trio is one of the Europe's more intriguing stoner/doom performers today.

It was easy then to catch elements of inspirations like the Melvins or a style like Cult of Luna before. Its previous works seemed more sprawling, in part due to a five-piece lineup. The group returns smaller and with an edgier vibe. On the band's 2017 return, "Time," Stonebirds feels intent on forging its own road, to some of its best results yet.

"Time" opens with "I" – and yes, it is bookended with closer "II" – which harkens to the impeccably ethereal rhythm you know of Stonebirds. When it rolls into "Sacrifice," however, the comparisons halt. The ten-minute track is still atmospheric and multi-layered, but in the end the overtures are devastating. Rough guitars, rattling bass and jarring vocals make this a nice profile of a band that has renewed focus. Later, the cut, "Animals," offers a similar kind of heft. The rumbling end of "Sacrifice" segues well into "Blackened Sky," which takes its fallow beginnings into sinister territory as the music arcs, then shambles into the darkness.

Contemporary social commentary is a perennial part of extreme music, and "Time" does not disappoint. The centerpiece of "Time" is undoubtedly "Shutter Part I & II," a narrative on climate change. Given the catastrophism that accompanies what was formerly called global warming – skyrocketing hunger, mass extinction and an upsurge in natural disasters are among the issues scientists cite the world will see more of – it remains a marvel as to why more acts have not examined climate issues further. In this instance, Stonebirds does it in a non-preachy, understated way. What is ostensibly “…Part I” mostly set the mood. It is “…Part II” with the lyrical attack. Again, it is no 350.org manifesto. Rather, the sound comes across as the crest of a storm, with lyrics that inject fear ("time has come/for you to die" comes at you again and again) into this story. By song's crashing end, you are struck by how good it is, maybe the best track of "Time."

If there are any quibbles with the latest Stonebirds release, it may be that the mood changes can be a little abrupt. Songs bounce from sludge to much heavier and perhaps the composition could be a little different. However, overall, "Time," with a smaller group and focused sound, far exceeds expectations and situates Stonebirds as a band to keep an eye on.

"Time" is available to preorder/buy here and you can check out an exclusive stream of the track “Shutter Part II” below

Band info: bandcamp || Facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Ruby The Hatchet - "Planetary Space Child"

By: Joosep Nilk

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 25/08/2017

Label: Tee Pee Records

 

Dishing out psyched-out blast offs and danceable tunes all complemented by the vintage-sounding production and plenty of organ in-between, Ruby The Hatchet adds a further twist to their already suspensive sound. “Planetary Space Child” comes off sounding like a spaced out version of Uncle Acid and cements their place at the very top tier of heavy psych.

“Planetary Space Child“CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Planetary Space Child

2). Killer

3). Pagan Ritual

4). The Fool

5). Symphony of the Night

6). Gemini

7). Lightning Comes Again

The Review:

With an intro that would not be amiss on a Floyd album, “Planetary Space Child” opens with the dramatic title track and goes straight for the grandiose sweeps. With riffs alluding to the barren vastness depicted on the cover, along the uneasy undertones, the epic artwork of Adam Burke is another common trait to be found with fellow dread-mongerers Occultation. Whereas said group are perhaps slightly spookier, Ruby bring a handful more of melody. Like the opening notes of ’Pagan Ritual’ that come off equally as stirring as they are ominous, another turn is waiting around the corner. The shrouded riffs build up and crank the anticipation until a funky break-down, maintaining the trepidation and not letting you get too comfortable, the only solid thing being the bass-lines that follow the track through to its finish.

While these change-ups are familiar from prior albums, the additional organ progressions unabashedly harken back to rock’s golden era and really complement the album concept. That stands especially true for ’Symphony of the Night’, undoubtedly one of the stronger songs the band has put to tape yet. It opens with pensive plucks and picks the pace up near the middle and as the gloominess is equally cranked up a notch, the well-placed keys constantly adorn the unrelenting gradations.

Despite the material’s emotional density, the band hasn’t forgone their penchant for some infectious feel-good tunes. Second track ’Killer’ reminds us they’re still capable of more than a bit of moog-tinged tomfoolery, likewise on the equally fast-paced midpoint that is “Gemini”. Whereas the former is a fairly straight-forward and fun band jam (awfully fitting when they presented it at Roadburn’s Cul de Sac), the latter never quite loosens its intense grip and brings the full-sounding guitars and psychedelic leads further up front, with the relentless drumming of Mike Parise keeping it equally energetic and even-paced throughout. By the end they go near-prog with the keys straddled throughout amidst the influx of leads tearing straight into your headspace.

As is true for Jillian Taylor’s howls and moans that are at times wistful and bold on others, the created sound truly envelopes her voice well, especially so on the initially shuddersome “The Fool“ and the epic closer. The latter really runs the gamut on her whole range, beginning languid and solemn in near-ballad-form, almost timid by Ruby’s standards, but opening up near the end, an approach the band has proven to work for them time and again. It’s no straight-forward doom here but all splendidly woven in, making the pay-off that much more worth it. The culminating build-up and shake-down really allows the organ to shine amidst the oscillation of guitars and comes off dangerous, duly paying reference to the song-title.

Dishing out psyched-out blast offs and danceable tunes all complemented by the vintage-sounding production and plenty of organ in-between, Ruby The Hatchet adds a further twist to their already suspensive sound. “Planetary Space Child” comes off sounding like a spaced out version of Uncle Acid and cements their place at the very top tier of heavy psych.

“Planetary Space Child” is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Geezer - “Psychoriffadelia”

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full Length

Date released: May 19, 2017

Label: Kozmik Artifactz |

STB Records

Guttural guitars and raunchy drums at the ready. Geezer delivers the intensity of the Melvins, one of the group's inspirations, while giving its own unique spin to stoner rock. While many others try, this is one band that is confident enough to step out and truly make this sound their own.

“Psychoriffadelia” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Hair Of The Dog

2. Stressknots

3. Psychoriffadelia

4. Red Hook

5. Dirty Penny

The Review:

If you're honest about it, you must admit it is hard to get excited about a band whose first cut on its album is a cover of Nazareth's "Hair of the Dog." It is a fantastic song, of course, but just about every bar band in America and beyond has beaten the joy out of it long ago. If we're being mercenary about such an issue, who isn't sick of it? Don't lie. We've all made those judgments before.

It is a great then that Kingston, New York trio Geezer are so tight elsewhere, because you'll quickly forgive them and enjoy the heavy bluesy jams of their latest five-song release.

Geezer has been prolific, dropping six releases thus far and touring as well as doing regional live shows quite heavily. Such experience makes the band incredibly competent at sustaining the energy on songs like "Dirty Penny" – guttural guitars and raunchy drums at the ready. Geezer delivers the intensity of the Melvins, one of the group's inspirations, while giving its own unique spin to stoner rock. While many others try, this is one band that is confident enough to step out and truly make this sound their own.

Geezer is at its best at points like the title track, where members Richie, Turco and Pat feed off of one another and simply let the chemistry take over. It is remarkable how well they blend even on songs like "Red Hook," without a doubt the most unusual song on the release. It contains a slightly country blues and heavy rock vibe that may not grab Geezer's traditional audience, but the musicianship is so effective here you will not notice the difference much. In fact, you will quite likely be nodding along.

By the time "Psychoriffadelia" wraps, that potentially rough start will be but a distant memory. Instead you will remember one of the more entertaining bands around.

"Psychoriffadelia" is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook