Barbears – Doombar

Barbears – Doombar

Self released – 2012

Rock, Stoner, Metal

Rated: ****

We struggled through the crowd and found two seats at the bar. My buddy ordered two tall glasses of rums, with beer and tequila on the side. We sat there waiting for the inevitable when I suddenly noticed all the weird proceedings that were happening all around us. Right next to me a gigantic bear was gnawing on a woman’s neck and on the other side two strange looking bears were pounding their chest, roaring with laughter and madness in their eyes. I tried to warn my buddy by pulling his shirt and whispering. “We might have stumbled into the wrong doom stricken bar, these are all bears man, and they’re giving booze those these goddamned things. It won’t be long now, before they tear us to shreds…” And then the band starting playing; shredding their guitars and pounding their heavy rhythms, soothing the savage beasts and turning out hearts into loud throbbing engines of lust. They were called the Barbears and since their founding somewhere in Hungary in 2008 they had been the resident players of the Doombar. Striking chords in the hearts of the most reckless with their feral and ferocious mixture of stoner, metal and southern rock. Listening to their amazing tunes filled my head with joy and my guts with pride. Like a Man on the Move, and just sick enough to be totally confident…

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Mocho Diablo – Green

Mocho Diablo – Green

Self released – 2012

Rock, Stoner, Grunge

Rated: ****

Not many rock groups implore the use of a theremin; but I for one have always dug that weird magical little thing. Ever since I saw absolute genius Cato ‘Salsa’ Thomassen use it. I was therefor pleasantly surprised when I heard the Brazilian foursome Mocho Diablo use it on their debut EP called Green. Made up out of three guys from Flaming Moe and a new bassplayer they recorded five straight up rock songs that rub against stoner and borrow some grungy greatness from the big names. Soulful gritty rock with a tasty sharp edge, fascinating structures and a truckload of savory riffs. Add to this the balanced and succulent drums and a lot of room for a sickly steady bass, dueling with the guitar and delivering little funky ditties. You know you’ve got some absolute gold on yer hands! Last but not least we have a vocalist that borders on greatness as well. Mocho Diablo, simply irresistible, absolutely wonderful and green no more!

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William English – Demo

William English – Demo

Self released – 2012

Sludge, Hardcore, Metal, Trash
Rated: ***

They’re currently on a sacred quest to find a bassplayer; but this does not deter the quartet from releasing a first demo. Hailing from Thetford in the United Kingdom, William English started out as a hardcore punk band but now brings forth an unholy mixture of doom and sludge with heavy trash metal parts; although they still keep one eye on their roots. Impressive drums guide the riffs and guitarlines on towards that mountain cliff only to push them off it once they get there. Screaming their way down towards their death. And as they state themselves, which sums it up quite nicely: ‘screams so socially unpopular it makes the cool kids cry…’ And what they might seem to lack in structure, they make up in technical prowess, interesting ideas and sheer power. Only two tracks on this demo; but two that make your bones freeze and your spine shiver with involuntary spasms. Think of what a full album might do to you? Be afraid!

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Hugonaut – Hello Destroyed

Hugonaut – Hello Destroyed

Self released / Red Tentacle – 2012

Rock, Stoner, Grunge, Metal

Rated: ****

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. A lovely little maritime city and a peaceful rural community. Where one could imagine still leaving the backdoor open when you run out to get some last minute groceries. Home to Denny Doherty, Sarah McLachlan and Peter North. And to Hugonaut; which is actually the only thing one should care about. A hard rocking five-some that has just delivered its debut-album called Hello Destroyed. We hear traces of Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Channel Zero and Prong; which means we are treated to some grade a nineties grunge and metal; interspersed with some downtuned stoner and fuzzed out rock. Huge vocals and impressive melodies, tons of gigantic riffs, dueling guitars and colossal drums. Big, that’s the main adjective here. Everything, from rhythms to tones and sound has gone the way of largeness without going over the top. The vocal driven songs grapple their way into your brain with their hooks and become a definite fixture. Innovating? Not really. Tasty? Absofuckinglutely!

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Bear Brawler – Tales of Deadly Addictions

Bear Brawler – Tales of Deadly Addictions

Self released – 2012
Stoner, Doom, Sludge

Rated: ****

From the bloodstained grounds of Normandy, France comes a wild and dangerous trio that already amazed with their first EP Tales From The Putrid Swamp released in 2011 and now continues on down that bleak, dark and twisted path. We are talking about Bear Brawler and their new EP called Tales of Deadly Addictions. They deliver a grimy melting pot of swampy stoner and aggressive doom. Their ponderous riffs are only bested in heaviness by the impressive vocals. They growl, snarl, rage, bawl and grunt with true feeling and enough tonal change to keep them from becoming stale or annoying. Imposing sound eruptions and a majestic collage of rhythms and subtle pitch transitions. Energetic stirring tracks and a singer that seems possessed; a violent force to be reckoned with which will definitely leave a smile on yer face…

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Arenna – Beats of Olarizu

Arenna – Beats of Olarizu

Nasoni – 2011

Rock, Stoner, Space, Doom, Psychedelics

Rated: *****

The Basque five of Arenna delivered a high-powered high eclectic space rock album called Beats Of Olarizu in 2011. Founded in 2005 the five amigos quickly got to work on their own material releasing a demo recording in 2007. Beats Of Olarizu is their official debut and of a totally different level. It starts out as a heavy fuzzed out stoner album that slowly transforms into something more doom orientated and then back again. They seem to have a knack for keeping the repetition simple but fresh and interesting till the very very end. Slowly however that dry desert air is replaced with a fresh and lucious spring feeling that makes you fly along side colorful birds until the kaleidoscopic riff waves roll over you. After which the highly psychedelic and hypnotic adventure becomes an epic experience. And once your trip through the cosmos has finished the dust in your clenched fists will have turned into diamonds thanks to the magical tones of Arenna…

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Levon Helm 26-05-1940 – 19-04-2012

Levon Helm

Where were you when the fun stopped? One of the greatest musicians of our time passed away yesterday afternoon. Drummer and singer Levon Helm from The Band lost his battle with throat cancer. He was one of the founders of Americana and a seminal force within The Band and gave us so many wonderful tunes. He was the true Voice of America. And, after The Band split up, he kept touring, wrote a hilarious memoir, and then started hosting the Midnight Ramble in his barn in upstate New York. With the perfect ability to drag out the beat or to drive it forward and his distinct voice he will sound on forever and into legend. He is high energy; propane propulsion. Sentimental people might call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel. And on long nights driving a car with the gas needle on empty the right kind of music will make it run for at least fifty miles more. And with The Weight on repeat or Levon Helm’s steady beat gunning that motor; it will surely make it to yet another twenty… Today we listen to the incredible collection of records left behind by Levon Helm…

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Beitthemeans – Head Held High

Beitthemeans – Head Held High
Ol Elegante Records – 2011
Rock, Southern, Hard, Blues, Stoner
Rated: *****

The Alabama trio Beitthemeans returned to the southern rock front in 2011 with their sophomore effort Head Held High. A masterpiece of swampy tunes, filled with washing riffs, smoky jingles and enough blues to kick Santa off the wagon and get that bearded freak hooked on crack. It’s got that raw and raunchy attitude and a throat that hits you like a kick in the guts and leaves you awestruck and in agonizing pain. The guys had been touring since their foundation was laid in 2003 and recorded their first album Crude Alabama Storytellers in 2008. It shows once more that true musicians learn their craft on the road and not via some lame ass weekly television show. Head Held High shows an ability honed to sheer perfection; whether it be the unparalleled drums, the elegant riffs and lines, the torturing screams, the swaggering vocals or the highly effective basslines. They all border on eerie perfection and sing high that proud southern soulful spirit…

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Sun Eater – Sun Eater

Sun Eater – Sun Eater
Self released – 2012
Rock, Stoner, Psychedelic, Atmospheric
Rated: ***

After the leaves had turned dark red in the autumn of 2011, two guys started jamming in a basement somewhere in Tacoma, Washington, USA. Soon they picked up another stray cat that could hit the skins and together they formed a band whose names and deeds would be retold throughout history; and they called themselves Sun Eater. The trio seems to live inside long and elongated almost fragile compositions that thrive on a hypnotic and steady rhythm and a howling guitar. They take inspirational queues from Colour Haze, Sleep, Earthless and to a lesser extent the guitar freak out bands from the seventies. And apart from a sneaky sudden scream resonating from deep in some dark and dismal hole there is not a note or tone too many. Most importantly they dare to keep it that ‘simple’ and with that honesty make the three songs on their self titled debut EP and profound experience…

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The Bonesinner – Promo

The Bonesinner – Promo
Self released – 2012
Singer-Songwriter, Rock
Rated: ***

He invokes the sort of atmosphere that holds the middle ground between spiritual calls for hope and redemption, smoke fueled blues and songs for the doomed. A sort of mixture between David Eugene Edwards, Nick Drake and Mark Lanegan but with a Spanish or flamenco twist. Mario Sánchez Gómez is his name and The Bonesinner is his musical endeavor. After playing in multiple bands around the globe he decided to go solo; just a guy and his guitar. Two tracks recorded in 2010 in Madrid are the only songs to go by, but judging from this duo of tunes he is a spirited singer with a gift to move. Let’s hope he keeps developing his skills while trucking around the world and playing in every dustbin of a bar in a neighborhood near you…

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Cachimbo De Paz – Use The Fuzz

Cachimbo De Paz – Use The Fuzz
Self released – 2012
Rock, Stoner, Groove
Rated: ****

Cachimbo de Paz also hails from the dark and bloody grounds of Austria but is completely different from Parasol Caravan. Both play music that borders on the general stoner and pure rock area. But where Parasol Caravan plays more in the vein hard and southern rock styled music, Cachimbo de Paz plays groove rock that reminds of doom and sludge though never gets that dark. Their airy and light version of the evil rock is filled with fuzzed out guitars and amazing basswork. They seem to have a special talent for incorporating small influences from surf and even African or Arabian music. Though the sudden change in vocals in Stare Into The Sun from low and clean to even lower, gritty and grimy comes as a surprise and takes a moment getting used to. But once the coin drops you will seer with these guys. And if this Use The Fuzz album was meant as a contest, which it isn't; Cachimbo De Paz uses the fuzz more. But it might be best to just let them both do their own guitar talking in a venue near you…

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Parasol Caravan – Use The Fuzz

Parasol Caravan – Use The Fuzz
Self released – 2012
Rock, Stoner, Hard
Rated: ****

Back in 2010, the in 2009 in Linz, Austria born Parasol Caravan released their first self titled EP. Three heavy psychedelic hard rock riff songs using enough groove and fuzz to turn even the worst skeptic on and make them tune in and rock out. And now they’re back sporting four songs on the split album Use The Fuzz that also features Cachimbo De Paz; which we will visit later on. The four tracks by Parasol Caravan are an ode to the pure heaviness of the riff. Big guitars, huge drums and gigantic vocals. Perhaps a bit less psychedelic than their first one, but with a much fatter groove and even more soul. They remind me on moments for some weird and possibly insane reason of early Channel Zero; but that might just be due to certain accents made by the excellent singer. Anyhoo, these four know how to make that warm Southern air melt those cold bones and turn your mind onto spring and beer covered festival meadows. I for one, can’t wait to see them there…

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Les Lesbiennes – Les Lesbiennes

Les Lesbiennes – Les Lesbiennes
Self released – 2012
Rock, Garage, Stoner
Rated: ****

Bella Zio! There was a small tingle in my body when I noticed something named Les Lesbiennes had entered my inbox. Somewhere in the back of my mind the image of beautiful and preferably naked women playing guitar started to flare up. And ofcourse there was that initial sadness when it turned out that Les Lesbiennes is a duo of guys hailing from Marceddi, Sardinia, Italy. Though as soon as their first tones graced my ear that grief dissipated and my heart started racing once again. No less than sixteen songs of pure unadulterated rock; entwined with some atmospheric stoner, hefty garage and something reminiscent of popular eighties music and new wave are featured on their self-titled album. It’s an amazing trip and very addictive and on most of the moments; absolute world class. Genuine and with a very own distinct vibe. Les Lesbiennes; in a league of their own!

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Kabul Golf Club – Le Bal Du Rat Mort

Kabul Golf Club – Le Bal Du Rat Mort
Self released – 2012
Rock, Noise, Stoner
Rated: ****

The Kabul Golf Club is an explosive nine-hole golf course near Qargha, only a few miles out from the center of Kabul, Afghanistan. After playing there chances are that your handicap will not have improved; but in fact worsened… By a leg or an arm. Listening to the four Belgian freaks that named themselves after this course can do almost exactly the same to your mind, body and soul. For these damned bastards know exactly the amount of noise needed to detonate your sanity. It turns you paranoid and weary for the floating and twisting road ahead. It’s a gigantic hallucinatory psychotic trip steered by discordant guitars and grimy basslines. Featuring the bassplayer of the crazy Rott Childs it seems only fitting that their first EP Le Bal Du Rat Mort is named after an avant-garde progressive masterpiece by Komintern from 1971; because they both cause brainfreeze and nosebleeds. And still leave you wanting more…

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Kabul Golf Club – Demon Days

Kabul Golf Club – Demon Days

Kabul Golf Club's first official videoclip 'Demon Days', from the EP 'Le Bal Du Rat Mort', recorded and produced by Micha Volders. A frontal attack on your sanity and piece of mind. And the perfect soundtrack for a Viking invasion on some unexpecting village...

The Next Hundred Years – Troppo

The Next Hundred Years – Troppo
Self released – 2012
Rock, Stoner, Prog, Metal
Rated: ****

Now that Roadburn has come and gone everyone can once again focus at discovering all the future bands of this great festival. Perhaps a little bit to upbeat and uptempo for the current course of the festival is The Next Hundred Years. Hailing from Vancouver, Canada, the five have something that reminds of Masters Of Reality. It’s the weird combination of technical proficient layering and tons of heart. They take the weirdness and hooks from the desert, the breaks and speed from something Therapy? or Fugazi might do and the structures that we know from prog and even some grunge. The sentences above all tell the tale of Troppo their third album and their absolute best and one that is definitely meant for the ages. Its range is incredible and even though the songs are all very robust there is vague fragile sentiment floating above it all. As if this little gem is meant to be treated right before it shows all its beauty within. And it does just that; so put Troppo on repeat for the next hundred years…

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Wallace Vanborn - Cougars

Wallace Vanborn - Cougars

The great video for the new single Cougars by the Belgian freaks Wallace Vanborn from their new amazing and soon to be released album Lions, Liars, Guns & God... And if we can't remember who the hell these guys were, check out their earlier stuff. Like Free Blank Shots...

Shock Radar – Generator

Shock Radar – Generator
Self released – 2012
Rock, Stoner, Groove, Grunge
Rated: ****

Almost everyone will probably have already checked these guys out after the massive Spam action a week or two ago and all the other blogs featuring this band. But there’s nothing wrong with trying to garner some attention for ones band; and certainly not when it has such an intense floating riff action going on as Shock Radar. Hailing from the Big Apple the driving force behind the foursome is Lee Diamond, a versatile artist who also lend a helping hand to bands such as The Verve and The Slits and played in a band with members of Stabbing Westwards. On their new EP Generator they seem to translate the Californian stoner atmosphere to a kind of big city industrial structured rock sound which incorporates some grunge elements and some psychedelic pop influences. Mostly though they seem to become a weird kind of mix of something Trent Reznor might do when working with the guys from Soundgarden and recording in the High Desert. It feels like a heatwave pummeling an old abandoned mining town. No escape offered and no escape possible; you just have ride it out…

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Tres Perros – Live at Jagerkaluse, Berlin

Tres Perros – Live at Jagerkaluse, Berlin
Self released – 2011
Rock, Stoner, Psychedelics, Surf
Rated: ***

The stoner scene in Poland has been blossoming for a few years now with bands such as Elvis Deluxe, Satellite Beaver, Jack Daniels Overdrive, Black River, Fifty Foot Woman, Major Kong, Same Road, Mikirurka, Leash Eye, Oregano Chino, many many many more and ofcourse Luna Negra. Unfortunately, Luna Negra decided to call it quits early 2011 or at least put the project on hold. But as they say, one’s death is the others breath; and from those ashes rose Tres Perros as a proud and ferocious animal. A three-piece stoner rocking surf outfit. Psychedelic enough to cause waves and with a masterly groove to float across it. So far they only released one live album recorded at Jagerkaluse in Berlin but this already shows their mastered ability to let the groove do the work and the music do the talking. These dogs got a fierce bark and a howl that’s even louder. Give’m a bone!

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Torso – Inside

Torso – Inside
StoneFree Records – 2012
Rock, Psychedelics, Stoner
Rated: ****

Formed in the year of our Lord 2009 somewhere on the outskirts of Vienna as an instrumental trio who named themselves after the fabled Aztec king Montezuma. By 2011 the three had become four and with a new drummer the guys felt a new name was required to go forth and Torso would be that name. And now their first full-sized album Inside has been released. Seven intense psychedelic rock tracks that borrow heavily from the progressive rock bands that came after the seventies. It still pays homage to that seventies blues sound but with a more distinct and newer sound. Leaning towards something Rush might have done if they would have gone the way of doom and grimy rock. But even that does not do justice to their very own and honest pitch that keeps resonating somewhere deep in the fibers of your being. Torso, remember that name!

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Die On Planes – The Deep Future

Die On Planes – The Deep Future
Self released – 2012
Rock, Doom, Psychedelics, Free
Rated: ***

The Australian improvisational rockers Die On Planes call themselves the dumbest band of the continent. Though for what reason seems to be unclear. Perhaps because they let the No Anchor singer and bassist pound the drums on their compendium of recorded works called The Deep Future. Not that he can’t hit the skins, but maybe because he is boasting around town that he is actually the evil and slow twin of Animal? Nobody should make a claim like that. It is wrong, and might turn an audience away from your performance. Which, when they have one, they apparently rarely advertise. Anyhoo, said collection was recorded during the past six years and features eight songs that border on indolent doom rock and psychedelic post rock freedom. It has a transcendental and trance like quality that lifts the trio above the mowing field but only makes you slumber and never takes on an weird aya huasca trip or dmt cannon shot. If and when it induces something dreamlike; it might turn you on to salvia; which is a fake ass horrible shitkick in the nuts and should not be considered as a drug at any moment in time. Not that I am calling The Deep Future a shitkick; I just figured to state something dumb and freaky to keep in line with the marvelous spooky and crazy Die On Planes…

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Judd Madden – Doomgroove

Judd Madden – Doomgroove
Self released – 2012
Rock, Doom, Sludge, Stoner, Post
Rated: ****

Doomgroove is the fourth or maybe even fifth release (when counting a collection of old songs) of Australian one-man metal force Judd Madden. After a spell with some more techno and electronic noise and a stint with a technical proficient band called Fighting Locusts. His releases have always dabbled on the dark and twisted sides of metal and have always been influenced by all those down, dirty and caliginous tones. However for the first time there seems to be a little twinge of light at the end of the tunnel. Surfing on the murky doom waters comes an instrumental droning sludge album that searches out hard driving stoner rhythms and weary post rock adventures that still hold on to some form of hook. It is more condensed than previous releases and feels more like a work completed and less like playtime. Things have gotten serious on Doomgroove; seriously brilliant with a touch of enlightened excellence!

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