Off to London…

Off to London…

London. London. London. London? Yes. London. You know. Fish, chips, cup o’ tea, bad food, worse weather, Mary fuckin Poppins. London. Off to London for a couple of days to annoy a singer or two and get lost in the dirty streets of the city. In search of one of those magical drink-holes that give the town a bad name. Where the beer is lukewarm, the whisky is of dubious quality and the vodka is brewed in a tub in the back. Where the same raw and ugly blues notes are on repeat till the sun rises and all the decent folk awake…

“Do you hear that Doug? I’m comming to London!”

Câimbra – É Tudo Uma Mentira

Câimbra – É Tudo Uma Mentira
Self released – 2011
Sludge, Metal, Hardcore
Rated: ****

The Brazilian third case version of Portuguese has always been hard to understand; so when the gritty and aggressive vocals of Câimbra screamed through my head I could only guess their meaning. For some reason I feel that this tribal delivery cannot mean they are talking about trivial things; I reckon universal and ancient truths must be uttered. And they do this via massive sludge build structures and hardcore explosions. The five guys founded their band in 2009 somewhere in the huge west São Paulo area after earning their spurs in other bands which all imploded. And with this five songs É Tudo Uma Mentira EP they explode outwards. Their burned remains make up this blackened and charcoal metal; it never gives you a moment peace or make you feel at ease. It knows exactly how to push the buttons of ill control and master that corrosive feeling. This is one for humid and warm nights; and truckloads of cachaça…

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Evil Cosmonaut – We Have Landed

Evil Cosmonaut – We Have Landed
RAIG – 2011
Rock,Stoner,Garage,Boogie
Rated: *****

Lot’s have been anticipating this release; seeing as their 2009 demo EP blew most everyone away. And the Russian boys from Evil Cosmonaut fulfill those expectations with an apparent ease and a zealous aggression. Their full-size debut album is called We Have Landed; and a magic touchdown it is. Its pure stoner blues boogie straight from the moon. Or maybe some distant insane and comedic planet around Alpha Centauri. Incredible licks, heavy drumfills and growling vocals. Enough space age rocking to give credit to their chosen band name; but just as much grounded downtuned riffing. Add to this the somewhat crazy lyrics and awe-inspiring delivery and you can safely bet that these Moscow freaks will rock yer world and help you lift off. I know what my next destination will be… Some dirty rotten drinkhole in downtown Moscow where you can hear Evil Cosmonaut pushing out them tunes!

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Switchblade Scarlett – White Line Fever

Switchblade Scarlett – White Line Fever
New Disaster/Retrospect – 2011
Hardrock,Metal,Glam
Rated: **

Eighties hair metal meets heavy hardrock performed by sleazy lounge lizards with a longing for stadium anthems. The guys from the Ohio based Switchblade Scarlett met each other while teaching at the school of rock and decided to try and conquer the world. Their love for old school hardrock and metal is obvious from the first tones; but that affection never leads to greatness. It’s impressive however how completely in the middle of the roads these guys can be. And it’s equally astonishing to hear them perform these songs with complete zeal and fervor. Big guitars, huge choruses and great solo’s. And where the aim for the stadium with their melodic tunes it is definitely good for a listen. But inevitably the conclusion will be that Bon Jovi always did it better. And when you start liking Bon Jovi over the band you’re listening to; you’d better quit it and put on something decent…

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The Devil’s Blood – The Thousandfold Epicentre

The Devil’s Blood – The Thousandfold Epicentre
Ván – 2011
Rock,Psychedelica,Metal
Rated: *****

A month ago when The Thousandfold Epicentre first touched my ears mastermind Selim Lemouchi immediately became a new hero despite his weird and somewhat disturbing rituals. It was also the second time I was glad that the band Powervice had exploded. (The first time was when Hooghwater graced my ears.) It’s death gave us so much more in the form of Vanderbuyst, the short-lived Hooghwater and Selim’s own The Devil’s Blood. And where Vanderbuyst delivers their new record In Dutch at the same time, which seeks out pure, simple and classic hardrock. The Devil’s Blood aims for the theatrical and occult. On The Thousandfold Epicentre we are dragged along an intense and long psychedelic hardrock journey. Less metal parts and more classic seventies and sixties influences. Singer Farida could easily have been plucked out of some dark version of Jefferson Airplane and she is a thousand times better than on their first album. More than seventy minutes we float along this insane piece of art. One which is filled to the rim with ghostly guitars, dream sequences and dark brooding atmospheres. A grand and enthralling sculpture; massive and adventurous in every detail. And the closing song Feverdance, which lasts fifteen minutes let’s you experience the entire record once again and enwraps you in total ecstasy. Magical!

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Speedfest

Speedfest 2011

Speedfest is an incredible yearly festival hosted by non-other than the majestic Peter Pan Speedrock in Eindhoven, Netherlands. This year will be the sixth edition of this awesome party. And an incredible festival deserves an incredible Sampler... So here's a pure and tasty audio adrenaline shot!

Tracklist:

01 Gewapend Beton – Big Dumb Kids
02 Peter Pan Speedrock – The Boys Are Back
03 Black-Bone – Girls Best Friend
04 Nitrovolt – Out Of Control
05 Black Spiders – Si, El Diablo
06 Vanderbuyst Anarchistic Storm
07 The Brains – Stay
08 Fireballs – Voodoo Doll
09 Reverend Horton Heat – Caliénte
10 The Dwarves – The Dwarves Are Still The Best Band Ever
11 The Hookers – For The Master
12 Pentagram – Treat Me Right
13 Rise And Fall – Deceiver
14 Discharge – You Have The Gun
15 The Sonics – Strychnine
16 Phantom Rockers – Psycho Party
17 Orange Sunshine – Track 06
18 Monster Magnet – King Of Mars
19 Danko Jones – Rock ’n Roll Proletariat
20 Heideroosjes – Dan Zal Ik Mijn Bakkes Houwe!

Speedfest - 2011 - Sampler

Molior Superum – Towards The Haze

Molior Superum – Towards The Haze
Self released – 2011
Rock, Stoner, Seventies, Space, Funk, Garage
Rated: ****

Hailing from little specks on the Swedish map like Stenungsund and Orust in the north of Gothenburg with about 25.000 and 2000 residents; four young dogs found each other and started jamming together to form the Molior Superum band back in 2009 that we find before us today. And before they enter the studio in the beginning of 2012 to record their debut album we are treated to a three-song preview. Towards The Haze as the demo is called takes you on an old school spacerock and funkout journey that reminds of the freak bands from the seventies. It holds the old blues roots of the music in honor while going of on funk tantrums with garage speed. With a steady rhythm and massive freak outs; with drum fills a plenty and seminal guitar battles. And with an exciting distinctive voice it holds spectacular promise for what’s to come… Musical dynamite!

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Weed Priest - Demo

Weed Priest – Demo
Self released – 2011
Stoner, Sludge, Doom, Occult, Metal
Rated: ****

From the muddy and foggy banks of Galway, Ireland hails a three-piece formation, which has been invoked as Weed Priest. And together they have been slaving on their songs since the end of 2008. And only know have they deemed the world worthy enough to be apart of their mystical experience. A three-track demo is released upon us souls and they still have another eight songs up their sleeves as well. The official demo part makes you part of their occult rituals and preachings. It initiates a ghostly and hypnotic sermon that is both low down, fuzzed out and low-fi. With relentless grinding they march forth and with military precision the drums and bass deliver the slow advance; leaving the guitar to build cathedrals. Epic houses of worship! And with complementary service of exorcism offered by the members should anyone become possessed by a demon; who can pass up an opportunity to see Weed Priest perform their ceremony…

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The Ultimate Stoner HiVe top 20 albums of 2011

The Ultimate Stoner HiVe top 20 albums of 2011

Yet another reminder to all of you out there. Only TWENTY days left before we start the countdown of The Ultimate Stoner HiVe top 20 albums list of 2011. Last day to send in your list will be on Sunday december the 11th. And you don’t have to send in a list of twenty albums; if you have only heard five great ones this year; or twelve. Just send in the amount you have. And from all the sent in lists we will deduce the Ultimate 20. Here’s me hoping all of you guys out there find the time to send something in. Here’s where to send it to: emailadres… Hatseflats!

In honour of all you freaks...

Drawers – All Is One

Drawers – All Is One
Slow Burn – 2011
Metal, Stoner, Sludge
Rated: ****

Toulouse, France, 2006. Five guys decide to form a band and they all know in which direction they wish to take their music. Stoner metal with a dash of sludge. And when you say a thing like that, you’d better do it and so Drawers is born. In 2009 they record their first EP entitled This Is Oil and after a change in vocalist in 2010 they record their full-size debut in 2011. All Is One is the result and is exactly what the guys had in mind: fat riffs, heavy pounding, relentless speed and tasty melodies. The gentlemen cite Down, Crowbar, Mastodon and Baroness as influences. And those bands all come to mind when listening to Drawers. As a bunch of Neanderthal cavemen giddy they invented a tool they hammer twelve songs down your throat with the utmost precision and brute force. Only on a few sparse moments they pull back on the throttle. And why should they? Drawers; stone-hard, eager and in-your-face!

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Komatsu – Komatsu

Komatsu – Komatsu
Self released – 2011
Rock, Stoner, Metal
Rated: ****

Back in 2010 we already reported on the heavy rocking machine that was storming towards us on the distant horizon. Due to technical issues with the newly built studio and the bassplayer’s health struggles, it took a while longer than expected. But the time has now arrived to unleash the monster that is: (wait for it!) Komatsu! Born in the lovely town of Eindhoven, Netherlands, the band consists out of four members who already earned their spurs through bands such as Borehole, Repomen, The Goods and SQY. Together they form a band whose deeds will be retold throughout history; or so must be their aim. For their first release is a self-titled EP full of stoner grandeur. It’s a hybrid mix of stoner, rock, metal infused with loads of sampling. Which leads us to hear Muhammad Ali on the intro track and Gator quotes from the White Lightning movie trailer on the song Gator. It’s a massive steamroller that assaults without a moment hesitation. And with a song like Hail To The Thief, with it’s infectious rhythm and chorus it is impossible not to be smothered by this beast… Here’s to Komatsu and their aim for greatness!

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Kingshifter - Woes of The Abysmal

Kingshifter - Woes of The Abysmal
Self released – 2011
Rock,Hard,Stoner,Metal
Rated: ****

Six tight, hard and stomping tracks. The American Kingshifter starts chopping away with a blunt axe from the very first tones and leaves a pretty heavy and deep indent, so to speak. Their first EP Woes Of The Abysmal is a sweet collection of measured and fierce riffs, ditto hooks and powerful drums. The four amigos must love bands like Down and C.O.C. for the straightforward heavy rock and metal they put forward reminds of those bands. Served with enough variation it never slows down or makes your attention falter. But Kingshifter is different; it’s more accessible and seems like the perfect beachhead to conquer the other bands should one not be too familiar with this kind of fantastic music. Praiseworthy is also singer Sprout with his diverse ways of deliverance; raw, sharp, clean, concise and gravelly. Kingshifter; sweet stuff!

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Broken Betty – The Sorry Eye

Broken Betty – The Sorry Eye
Self released – 2011
Rock, Stoner, Garage, Grunge
Rated: ****

The Polish trio that started Broken Betty back in 2006 and released their first self-titled EP in 2009 has now given birth to their first full-sized album. The Sorry Eye as the record is called shows them wearing their colors on their sleeve. They already made clear that their influences are among others the Melvins, Queens Of The Stone Age, Helmet, Kyuss, Mike Patton, Mondo Generator and Sonic Youth and this is once again apparent. Cause what seems to be the case; The Sorry Eye borrows certain elements of all of them. And this might make it all a little less than original it does make the entire record tasty. Especially the longer songs and the ones that seek to deviate from the path. And then it becomes obvious that even if the diversity is large, their own identity starts to drift more and more to the surface. Perhaps it is all more QOTSA and desert stoner and way less noise influenced compared with their first EP; but for that we can only applaud!

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Daniel Davies – Hidden Faces

Daniel Davies – Hidden Faces
Self released – 2011
Rock,Stoner,Singer-Songwriter
Rated: ****

Daniel Davies, savior of Rich Mullins, savior of Karma To Burn and the man with on of the most haunting and emotional voices of this moment has just released his first solo EP. After two amazing records with Rich Mullins and Brad Hargreaves under the moniker Year Long Disaster and after helping return Karma To Burn back from the dead and fusing the two together. It became time to find a new project. He asked drummer Jess Margera of CKY and Company Band and bass player Brad Davis of Fu Manchu to accompany him. Under his own name he has now recorded five songs and released an EP called Hidden Faces into the world. More spacious and quiet than the YLD work and less stoner, though still filled with that pure rock sound and love for righteousness. Most of all Davies shows he is a great writer and composer. And an even bigger promise for future records…

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Been Obscene – Night O’ Mine

Been Obscene – Night O’ Mine
Elektrohasch – 2011
Rock,Stoner,Psychedelic
Rated: *****

Last year’s album The Magic Table Dance by the Austrian debutantes Been Obscene made it to the number two of the Ultimate Stoner HiVe Top 20 list of that year, comprised out of 37 sent in lists. Beating number three with a landslide and receiving only six points less than number one. So when it was announced that the guys were recording a new one for 2011; expectations soared! And right before December rolls around we are treated to their new record entitled: Night O’ Mine. Where they’ve taken their tasty, smooth, racy, succulent and muddy guitarsound and ran with it. Evolving their ability, song structures and incorporating much more of their own identity. Cause on their first record it sounded like the desert had moved to the high Alps. This time around we are treated to mountain stoner and high altitude psychedelic tunes. It is meant to stand for ages without becoming too serious or too solid. Cause it flows like a river and feels like one of those lucid hangover moments when inspiration and imagination runs high. The sheer amount of fun making the record shines through; and the way the drum has improved and the falsetto singing is simply amazing. In short Night O’ Mine is a testament for good rock and what the pure mountain air can do for ones soul…

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Pilots of Dune - Drive Song

Pilots of Dune – Moor Pu Dekcuf

Pilots of Dune – Moor Pu Dekcuf
Rawkiss Records – 2011
Stoner,Rock
Waardering: ***

The English project Pilots of Dune is mostly just one-man mastermind behind RawKiss Records and collaborator from Attack Of The Fits, Mr. Ash Dutch. After meeting the other half of Attack of The Fits, Angel Ito in London in 2005 the two began working on releasing their own music. Founding said experimental rockband Attack of The Fits and their own label called RawKiss Records. The 2011 EP Moor Pu Dekcuf is a weird blend of Morphine, Nick Cave and Queens of The Stone Age. It starts of with the weird Fifi and then the rocking Chase The Lord and Kingdom of Fear. And ending with absolute masterpiece Drive Song which is accompanied by an awesome re-cut of the Wild At Heart movie. And when someone takes cues (and titles) from the Good Doctor he’s all right in my book and can buy me a beer any day…

Myspace

RawKissRecords

The Ultimate Stoner HiVe top 20 albums of 2011

The Ultimate Stoner HiVe top 20 albums of 2011

How time flies. It seems like only yesterday that we were dreading the arrival or 2011. But now the end of 2011 is already approaching. Only one month left before we start publishing the Ultimate Stoner HiVe top 20 albums of 2011. And even though there is still a month to go; this is a post to get all of your attention. On Monday the 12th of December we start publishing with the number 20 of the list. And work our way up to number ONE on 31st of december. Like we did last year where we received 37 lists to comprise the list out of. And like we did in 2009 where we got 18 lists of which the Ultimate Stoner HiVe top 20 list was made up out of. So to keep this rise in lists going, to make this thing more valid with every year that passes, we already wanted to warn you guys, in the hope all of you will send their list in. It would be awesome if we could make the grand total: 50 lists. Indeed; 50 or more lists to find their way to this emailadres... That would indeed by amazing!

In honour of all the freaks...

Tracer – L.A.

Tracer – L.A.
Self released – 2009
Rock,Stoner
Waardering: ****

In 2009 the Australian power trio Tracer released their first full-sized album. Named L.A. they album once again shows us that they love that L.A. rock sound and desert surroundings. Combining the sounds of bands like Queens of The Stone Age, Fu Manchu and Nebula with elements of classic seventies rock. Adding their own spicy blues, which fuses into seven heavy rock tracks. The vocals on this album remind even more of early Chris Cornell in both delivery, intensity and power. And drummer Andre Wise plays way more savage and yet in control then on their first EP Into The Night. These Adelaide muppets are pure dynamite! Explosive!

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Tracer – Into The Night

Tracer – Into The Night
Self released – 2006
Rock,Stoner
Waardering: ***

Two years after their formation the Australian rockers called Tracer released their first EP. Into The Night is a straightforward easy rock EP featuring three songs. And in those songs they show with excellence where their influences come from. So one number is heavy inspired by the Stone Temple Pilots while another sounds like a Queens Of The Stone Age song and yet another could have been penned by Soundgarden. But through this we do hear where the band love for music stems from and where their forte lays. Straight up American rock with overtones of L.A. sounds, desert feeling and a grungy attitude. Add to this that little twinge of retro and we have an act to watch out for!

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Your Highness – Cults ’n Cunts

Your Highness – Cults ’n Cunts
Hammerheart – 2011
Metal, Stoner, Sludge
Waardering: ***

Floating on the cold autumn wind that moves through the streets of Antwerp, heavy and powerful desert tunes can be heard. Tunes that would normally be made by crazy American gentlemen of bands such as Kyuss, Mastodon or Baroness. But these guys are from the Belgian soil and the five of them listen to the name Your Highness. Their debutalbum Cult ’N Cunts is a full rush and a continuously driving, pounding and milling metal record that never gives a moment of peace. Bawler Ben Baert screams himself silly for thirty minutes with an awesome voice and even if this could be met with a bit more change in the future. And even if now all the songs are flattened a bit by his voice; except closing track Hoogheid which might be looked upon as the highlight. It’s still filled with shrieking solo’s, thundering drums and tight riffs. And maybe not everything on the record is extremely original; but every song does hit you over the head with a pikeperch, carp, plaice or other dead fish. Why they do this might not be completely clear; but it does drive you pretty good and wickedly insane!

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Tracer – Spaces In Between

Tracer – Spaces In Between
Mascot/Cool Green – 2011
Rock, Stoner, Hard
Waardering: ****

Often labeled as the Australian bastard child of a weird summer love happening between Soundgarden and Fu Manchu; these young dogs have been around since 2004. Tracer was formed by the Brown brothers and drummer Andre Wise who also played in the earlier incarnation aptly called: The Brown Brothers. With already the Into The Night EP from 2006 and the L.A. album released in 2009 under their belt they toured Europe extensively getting attention from record label Mascot. Who immediately signed them and released their new record Spaces In Between. The record starts off with hefty stoner and gradually becomes more and more grunge and hardrock. Their forte; judging by their tight riffing, tasty hooks and sweet dose of nasty rock ’n roll. The biggest reason however that we claim Tracer to be the bastard child comes from singer Michael Brown whose gullet sounds a lot like Chris Cornell during his better days. Who knows; maybe one day, in a distant future, even Cornell might once again make a great album just like these guys…

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