BEHLOLD! THE MONOLITH - DEFENDER, REEDEMIST REVIEW

BEHOLD! THE MONOLITH are a 3 Piece Stoner/Sludge/Thrash Metal Band from Los Angeles.

The members are:

Matt Price - guitar
Kevin McDade - bass, vocals
Chase Manhattan - drums 

Most of you should all know how Behold! The Monolith are. They are one of the very best Stoner/Thrash/Metal combo’s who made a big impression with Sludge Metal fans and critics with brilliant 2009 S/T debut album.

The album was a perfect blend of Stoner Metal/Sludge Metal riffs with ferocity of Thrash Metal thrown in for great measure as well. And the vocals weren’t bad either.

It was one of my fave records from 2009 which I discovered from the legendary Sludge Swamp. After that I bought the album on CD and a copy of their great debut EP.

I have to thank Matt for sending me a copy of this great album. This is a great honour for me reviewing this as I am a huge fan of this great band.

Well the guys are back with their brilliant new album and best work to date. Defender, Redeemist. An 8 song 58 minute ride of superb Sludge/Stoner/Thrash Metal riffs.

There are a lot of bands who combine Sludge, Stoner and Thrash Metal to great effect. But Behold! The Monolith blast the competition apart with this great release. Hopefully this release should elevate these guys to the top of their respective scene.

The album is full of superb riffs from start to finish that mix Sludge, Stoner and Thrash metal superbly. These guys are experts at doing this.

Doommantia did a great song by song review the other week and I agree with every word they say. My thoughts are all of the songs show are brilliant even though if one of the songs “Witch Hunt Supreme” is their debut EP. But who cares. You still have 50 mins of brilliant new material.

Every song feels in the correct order. They all flow together brilliantly. The guys know how to write a brilliant epic lengthy track. Two of the tracks – Redeemist and Cast On The Black - Lamentor - Guided By The Southern Cross are both on for 11 mins and 13 mins each.

The 13 minute track "Cast On The Black - Lamentor - Guided By The Southern Cross" is a work of genius and one of the best tracks I have heard in a long, long time. 

A track that blend the genres superbly together. The time just flies by. You can really appreciate all the hard work the guys have put into this astonishing album. Especially on these two tracks which are the best tracks on the album which showcases the bands talent to true effect.

The album is superbly produced from start to finish. Every note is played loud, heavy and clear. The guys know how to play off each other. The vocals are another highlight of this album. They have the right blend of Hardcore Anger and Stoner laid back vibes when the time calls for it.

Defender, Redeemist is their most defining work to date. Behold! The Monolith have come on leaps and bounds from their superb debut album. The riffs are heavier, louder and angrier than ever. This will hopefully blast the band into the big league’s as they deserve it with this brilliant outstanding album.

Behold! The Monolith are one of Sludge Metal’s best kept secrets but its now time for that secret to be shared with the world.

The guys should rightly be proud of this amazing new album. It’s simply that sensational. The first masterpiece of 2012 has truly arrived. This will definitely be on my best of 2012 list that is for sure.

Defender, Redeemist is out on Jan 24th 2012 and I recommend you all to buy a copy. You won’t be sorry.

Absolutely fucking epic and an amazing album to listen to time and time again.

Check The Band Below

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ORB OF CONFUSION

ORB OF CONFUSION were a Sludge/Stoner Metal Band from San Francisco, CA

The members were (or are)

Laurie Safdie Bass, Vocals
Clint Baechle Drums, Vocals
Leo Buckley Guitars, Vocals
Chris Corona Guitars, Vocals

ORB OF CONFUSION was a prominent Sludge/Stoner Metal Band in their local area who released a couple of releases during their brief time together.

Now you may recognise a few members names as when ORB OF CONFUSION disbanded, 3 of the members formed the equally brilliant Hazzard’s Cure, who have just release their own superb S/T debut album. If you don’t have it then I recommend you get it as it’s a superb Stoner/Doom/Thrash/Sludge thrill ride.

But back to ORB OF CONFUSION. This excellent band split-up in 2008 but they played a reunion show in August 2011. And they have just released a new S/T Album. A 7 song 76 minute epic of an album.

2007 – Demo – 3 Songs on for 19 mins
2009 – EP – 5 Songs on for 33 mins
2011 – Orb Of Confusion – 7 Songs on for 76 mins

You can download all these brilliant albums for free from the band’s BandCamp Page.

ORB OF CONFUSION play fast and furious Sludge/Stoner Metal with great Male and Female vocals thrown in for great measure. If you’re into KYLESA then you will seriously love this band’s music.

The band know how to play a mean loud, mean, dirty, down-tempo Stoner/Sludge Metal riff. This band seriously kick butt. It’s a shame they split up as their music is simply superb. Especially their newest S/T Release.

It’s an amazing record to show what his band can do so brilliantly well. Full of brilliant Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs from start to finish and amazing vocals to match. They are brilliant musicians as the band know how to play some great Sludge/Stoner Metal riffage.

I have heard these guys have a fearsome reputation on the live stage and I would love to see them in action. But their music is the next big thing.

The Demo and EP are slightly under-produced but that doesn’t detract from the great Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs they play from beginning to end. Both recordings have a great DIY feel to them which really adds to the effect of this superb band’s music.

Their new S/T release is brilliantly produced and captures the band at their heaviest and most creative. Originally recorded in 2008 but not released to their recent reunion show in August 2011.

This is their best release out of the 3 on offer. Full of heavy pounding riffage to get the most jaded mosher head-banging in no time.

The highlight of this superb release is the 39 minute epic “---“. An epic journey of loud sludge based guitars with heavy pounding drumming to match. Some people might this track a bit repetitive but I loved it. Mainly an instrumental track. This is what Sunn0))) would sound like if they went full Sludge/Stoner Metal.

Well check these guys out now as they rule. Hopefully they will get back together to release more brilliant material. But it might be a while with the bands respective new bands.

But if not at least they leave a brilliant impression that will last long in the memory of any listener.

Simply brilliant. Did I say that you can download all their brilliant music for free from BandCamp.

Well get downloading now.

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MOLOKEN

MOLOKEN are an Atmospheric Sludge Metal Band from Sweden

The Members are

Jakob Burstedt - Drums
Kristoffer Bäckström - Guitar & Vocals
Nicklas Bäckström - Bass & Vocals
Patrik Ylmefors - Guitar 

MOLOKEN play an intense blend of Hardcore, Doom, Sludge and elements of Post-Metal to create a truly haunting blend of Atmospheric Sludge Metal.

If your into CULT OF LUNA, ISIS and NEUROSIS then MOLOKEN will definitely appeal to you as it did for me. They make truly spellbinding Atmospheric Sludge Metal with superb riffs and vocals to match.

MOLOKEN have released two brilliant albums available for free download from BandCamp

2009 – Our Astral Circle – 9 Songs. 54 minutes
2011 – Rural – 7 songs – 53 minutes

Both of these releases are simply stunning examples of how superb Atmospheric Sludge Metal should be done. Both full of heavy pounding Sludge Metal riffs with the right blend of Hardcore, Doom and Post Metal influences to stand out from the crowd.

These guys are superb musicians and know how to play a brilliant and epic Sludge Metal riff. Each album has an epic track each you have to check out.

Our Astral Circle has a 12 minute track called 11:12. Rural has a 16 minute track ULV

Both of these tracks show that MOLOKEN do brilliantly well. Playing epic Atmospheric Sludge Metal with heavy pounding riffs to get the senses pumping in no time.

Both albums are brilliantly produced and you can hear every note played to perfection.

So get downloading both brilliant albums now. You won’t be disappointed. Brilliant stuff.

Check out this brilliant band below.

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Los Disidentes Del Sucio Motel and FlashFalcon Split Album Review

Los Disidentes Del Sucio Motel and FlashFalcon are two superb Stoner Rock Bands from France who have just released a superb Split LP called East Side Story.

The LP has 8 songs. 3 new songs from each band. And the band covering each others material. So LDDSM are covering FlashFalcon’s “Eternal Lonesome Boy” and FlashFalcon are covering the LDDSM classic “Sir Dany Jack”.

The LP is on for 35 raucous upbeat brilliant Stoner Rock minutes. LDDSM have been on this blog before when I reviewed their superb 2011 album – SoundTrack From The Motion Picture.

So I know what these guys can do when they get into full flow. The 3 new songs on show are a bit different from their last great release. They are all great releases but the band have gone in a more straight forward Stoner-Rock direction than their experimental vibe from the great album.

Not that I am complaining as the 3 new tracks really do capture the same LDDSM spirit especially on Lucha Libre. And it’s always good for a band to experiment a bit with their own established sound.

All 4 songs that LDDSM perform including a cover of FlashFalcon’s “Eternal Lonesome Boy” are played brilliantly and the 16 minutes just flies by. This part of the release confirms LDDSM as one of France’s best kept Stoner Rock secrets. And why I rate them so very highly. Check them out on Youtube to see their live raucous shows which has got them a bit of fame.

Now to FlashFalcon’s side of the split. I haven’t heard anything by these guys. But after these songs that is going to change real soon.

Their 3 songs are more high energy Stoner Rock vibes we all fans of. Their cover of Sir Dany Jack is one of the highlights of this great Split LP as it shows a great song done rather differently.

Plus I loved their song “Numb”. A great Punk-Rock/Stoner Rock song that ticks all the right boxes with some mighty fine riffs.

So all in all this is a great Split Release to check out when its released in March 2012 as it showcases French Stoner Rock at its best.

You can order this great album here:

Cbheck Los Disidentes del Sucio Motel Below:

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STONE MAGNUM

Stone Magnum are a Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal Band from Michigan City, Indiana.

The members are:

Guitars: Jim Brucks
Guitar/Vocals: Dean Tavernier
Bass: Marty Buchaus
Drums: Brad Toth

Stone Magnum play a great blend of Sabbath Influenced – Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal to superb effect. The guys have just released their superb S/T debut album. A 7 song 43 minute album of epic Doom Based Sludge/Stoner Metal Riffs.

The album is full of superb Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs and if you’re into Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus or any of the classic Doom Metal bands then you’re going to find much to enjoy here.

As Stone Magnum’s music does have an old school Doom Metal feel to them but they add a superb modern Sludge/Stoner Metal influence to them as well.

Brilliantly played and produced by everyone involved. This is one album you will be revisiting time and time again.

It might not be the most original thing on the scene at the moment. But it sure is one of the most satisfying Stoner/Doom Metal releases around. And the band do know how to play damn fine mighty Stoner/Doom Metal riff.

The album is full of superb Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal tracks to get your teeth stuck into. Especially “Locksmith Of Misery”, “Rolling Storm” and “Am I Really Insane”.

All in all this is a superb album to check out if you fancy a modern Sludge/Stoner Metal album with references to the good old days of 70’s Doom Metal. And I applaud the band for bringing back a little bit of history to their music.

You can own this great release on BandCamp Pay Anything You Want Type Deal.


Superb Stuff from a great band to check out.

Highly Recommended.

Check Out These Great Rockers Below.

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HESPER PAYNE

Hesper Payne are a Sludge/Doom/Death Metal Band from Newcastle Upon Tyne, England.

The members are:

Richard Pickman - drums and percusion
Alexandra Durning - Keyboards
Ian Fenwick - Bass
Brooke Johnson - Guitars and Vocals

Hesper Payne play an intense blend of Sludge/Doom with the odd dash of Death Metal to brutal effect. These guys come from my neck of the woods. As they say - Doom From The Cursed North. My lovely  hometown of Newcastle Upon Tyne. And frankly I do agree with them at times. But that is a different story.

I have mentioned Hesper Payne before early last year when the blog was first setup. These guys are quite prolific and you can download all their brilliant music for free from BandCamp.

They have received praise from a few blogs with their superb music. So if your into down-tempo bleak Sludge/Doom/Death Metal then these guys are the ones for you.

Well the guys have released their best work to do date with their stunning new EP – The Strange Tale of Samuel Gonzalez. A 3 song 25 minute brilliant EP of bleak down-tempo superb Sludge/Doom Metal. The Death Metal influence noticed in earlier releases has been stripped back a bit. You can hear a few influences hear and there but mainly it’s just down-tempo Sludge/Doom Metal.

The EP is superbly played and produced by all concerned.

If this is the new way forward for Hesper Payne’s music then the guys have came on leaps and bounds since their last great release.

What you get here is 3 superb epic songs to chill the soul to. Full of passionate vocals and riffs to head-bang to. The 25 minutes just flies by.

Hesper Payne are seriously a superb band to give their big-league counterparts a run for their money.

Check out the awesome EP cover which gives the viewer a true reflection on what to expect.

So if you want something mean, dirty and loud from my neck of the woods then Hesper Payne is your band. Plus since this release is free you have no excuses.

If your into Electric Wizard and Ramesses then you will definitely find a kindred spirit with Hesper Payne.

Brilliant work as usual guys. Highly Recommended.

Check these brilliant sludge metallers below.

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RITES

RITES is a Sludge Metal Band from Ireland.

RITES play superb down-tempo Sludge Metal which deserves to be played heavy and loud. They have released their brilliant S/T album. A 5 song 27 minute blast of top-notch sludge riffs to get your body pounding to.

RITES play some mighty fast riffs in their great music. These guys have a talent in writing a superb Sludge Metal song. If your into EHG, Down, Ramesses then you will find much to enjoy here.

Superbly produced and played by all this is a superb album for you all to check out. Yon can get this superb album free from the band’s BandCamp Page.

A brilliant album full of top-notch Sludge Metal Riffs with great vocals to match.

Highly Recommended.

Check Out These Great Sludge Metallers Below:

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