[P.U.T] – Like Animals

[P.U.T] – Like Animals

P.O.G.O records / Dismember recrods – 2012

Metal, Sludge, Noise, Industrial

Rated: ***

There’s a small twang of annoyance whenever a band uses brackets or weird marks in their band name. I can never understand the reason. And even though it isn’t always necessary to understand everything; it still ticks me off. Luckily for [P.U.T] they make some damn fine music to dance to and battle this disco fever feeling. But seriously; the two brothers living in Brussels and Paris have been making their ruckus since 1998 and have created their own personal family compendium of five albums, eight maxis, two live and a truckload of other releases. It’s a fight between man and machine. A battle between all kinds of heaviness in the form of noise, sludge, metal, stoner, industrial and punk. Their latest effort Like Animals continues this fine struggle and is mostly comprised of sludge noise that still manages to hold on to a small straw of melody. Even though some of the structures and noises sound a bit overused and familiar it remains a relentless tour de force and longs to be experienced live…

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Maize – Maize

Maize – Maize

Self released – 2012

Rock, Psychedelica, Space, Stoner

Rated: ****

Maize is nothing less than a psychedelic cathedral of riffs and floating waves of guitar layers with sparse vocals that weave across it like some long lost mythical story. Like a tale about the old soul of the world in a tongue only understood by that voice deep inside. The trio from Viseu Portugal delivers four epic jams on their first self-titled EP. The most distinct aspect of this space rock, psychedelic and stoner extravaganza is the majestic groove they have going on. Their apparent ease in how they combine their technical madness into laid-back, jovial and smooth sounding sound structures together with their savory solos and ferocious eruptions make for that perfect musical amalgam once again. For one does not know for certain which of the parts are there to divide, conquer and function as intermission. The slow nomadic atmospheric moments or the wild and savage stampedes. With perhaps a few more vocal lines Maize will achieve perfection or perhaps they already have with their translation of the endless space! Tokpela!

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Monsters of The Ordinary – On The Edge and Beyond

Monsters of The Ordinary – On The Edge and Beyond

Self released – 2012

Rock, Stoner

Rated: ****

When yer talking about classical music and the opera, Vienna, Austria has long since been the epicenter of Europe and the World. But under the grand and majestic cloak of this charming city there is a raw undercurrent of powerful rock. One of those bands that float through that grubby stream is Monsters of The Ordinary. A foursome that released their first EP Stuck Inside Your Mind in 2008 and followed that a year later with Collisions & Encounters. Both heavy stonerrock gems in the vein of the Palm Desert scene. And with their first full-sized album On The Edge And Beyond they continue on along the path paved by Kyuss and Queens of The Stone Age. It borders on the verge of copying or emulating; but they do this with so much heart and passion that it does not annoy or give friction. Instead we smile a gigantic smile and bop along on a mighty groove and twist our neck on tasty riffs and masterful drums. With small tingles of progressive rock, garage and the psychedelic seventies Monsters of The Ordinary deliver on hell of a parasol…

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Triggerfinger – Faders Up 2

Triggerfinger – Faders Up 2

Excelsior – 2012

Rock, Stoner, Hard

Rated: ****

The Belgian trio Triggerfinger can do nothing wrong in their home country and on Dutch soil. And with their second live album Faders Up 2; they only cement their justified place at the very top of the rock firmament. Even though the sound of the recording lacks in quality here and there the apparent brilliance of the rock giants shines through with their ever so present ease. Their very own signature grimy, dusty and filthy sound mixing it up between energetic hardrock and steady stoner which winks at the old blues soul explodes from the discs and leaves you wanting to see yet another live show. The primal force unleashed by drum beast Mario Goossens, the mean and nasty lines drawn by Paul van Bruystegem and the southern gentlemen performance of frontman Ruben Block result every freakin time again and again in a show that blows you away and a night to be remembered. And Faders Up 2 recorded in Amsterdam was exactly that… And then there is that bonus disc featuring alternate versions, covers and radio perfomances of late; simply sublime...

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Drive Like Maria – Drive Like Maria

Drive Like Maria – Drive Like Maria

PIAS – 2012

Rock, Stoner

Rated: *****

Back in 2009 Drive Like Maria was on of the first bands to follow in the slipstream of the second wave of Dutch stoner bands started by De Staat. And their success was completely justified since Elmwood was a damn fine album. After a year of non-stop touring the band disappeared from the limelight, travelled to Toscane, Italy and found a sweet spot to build their very own studio. When that was finished they started work on their sophomore self-titled record. In line with their debut the album is filled with tight righteous hooks and shiny riffs. However, this time around the songs are just more layered, exciting and simply better. The background vocals are amazing, the guitar is even more demanding and the drums wreck havoc. They got grimy sounds, epic songs, sweltering duets and perfect tracks for the festival meadow or a stadium. Add to this the new fulltime drummer (ex-Krezip) and the great color in the voice of singer Bjorn Awouters and we can safely claim Drive Like Maria to be a piece of genuine rock art!

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Von Durden – Dandy Animals

Von Durden – Dandy Animals

VVEGA / PIAS – 2011

Rock, Pop, Stoner, Disco, Electronics

Rated: ***

Back in 2008 when they released their debut album Death Discotheque; The Von Durden Party Project consisted of three members. Even though they started out with an impressive five a year before. Nowadays they shortened their name to simply Von Durden and have grown once again into a fivesome. And their second album Dandy Animals has moved even further along the poppy sound that was already present on their first record. Together with ever-present synthesizers and very danceable beats it almost leads to invent yet another stoner-related scene: stonerdisco. Sure we still hear some influences from Queens Of The Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal. But they lean more towards the Infadels now or a weird hybrid version of Chemical Brothers and Foo Fighters. Dandy Animals; highly energetic and dynamic danceable rock to move your feet to and flirt with them girls going wild…

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Muffalo – Love Songs & Battle Hymns

Muffalo – Love Songs & Battle Hymns

Buttamilk – 2011

Rock, Garage, Stoner, Punk

Rated: ***

Derek Myers who we know from Mondo Generator is the driving force behind Muffalo. Which also features Gene Trautmann (Queens of The Stone Age) on drums and Dean Gunderson (Catt Butt/ Jack-o-Fire) on Bass. The band formed eight years ago and have since then been writing tracks for the debut album and done quite a few shows. A few other artists we all know adopted some of their earlier songs. Like I Never Sleep by Nick Oliveri on his Dead Planets album. But in 2009 they finally found some time to record their own material for posterity. Produced by Hunt Sales (Iggy Pop) and mixed by Paul Leary (Butthole Surfers/Sublime) their album Love Songs & Battle Hymns is filled with groovy garage rock, a hint of stoner and a punk attitude. No massive wall of sound but mostly laid back tunes that are both bluesy and fun. They got that hypnotic loop neatly covered by melodic dark pop structures reminiscent of the early seventies and late sixties rock ‘n roll. Muffalo stomps on the terra with a feverous destination but without the weight to make a lasting impression…

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Rancho De La Luna Month

Rancho De La Luna Month

As we approach June and the sun finally feels a little warm on the skin the need arises to do a second edition of the Rancho De La Luna month. We will once again visit that magical place that brings forth so many great albums and has touched so many lives. But before I start off on yet another ode about the place where dreams are reality and possibility the window to your soul; let’s start off with a pre-taste to all the goodness to come. Thanks to the great Doktor420 we bring you Muffalo; a band whose members have set foot on Rancho ground and which sound carries with it a slight touch of that mystical full moon safe house…

Icarus Gasoline – Secuencia Gris para los Pájaros

Icarus Gasoline – Secuencia Gris para los Pájaros

Self released – 2004

Rock, Stoner, Desert

Rated: *****

On their first record Secuencia Gris para los Pájaros, the four Icarus Gasoline friends from Chile create the mirage where they will return to on their second album. This time around though the sound is heavier and muddier. As if the desert has just recovered from massive rainfall and the cracked ground is struggling to retain the moisture. Really thick sounds move across spacious compositions, repetitive structuring and vigorous rhythms. The expert handling of their instruments are apparent and absolutely somniferous; and are this time around completed by weird morsels, eerie noises and what sounds like strange household appliances or dissonant cowbells. And once again the vocals are the absolute icing on the cake! This is highly hypnotic music from a completely different level; one that will make you buy an airplane ticket to fly alongside all the gray and colorful birds to Santiago just to see them play live. There is no escaping that fact. Cautivará a la audiencia!

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Icarus Gasoline – Lo Desaparecido

Icarus Gasoline – Lo Desaparecido

Self released – 2010

Rock, Stoner, Desert

Rated: *****

Formed in Punta Arenas, Chile, the southern most city of the South American continent; the Icarus Gasoline foursome quickly moved to Santiago once their dry icy sound had been perfected. They sound like a cold desert morning waking to a rising sun promising windy heat and shimmering air. On their second effort from 2010 called Lo Desaparecido they perfect the slow desolate sound we know from Kyuss. And they are rarely tempted to also explore the faster heavier sound of said band; but mostly the descriptive floating tunes that transport your soul and move your mind into uncharted territories. It is absolutely impressive the way the guitars draw out the scenery across a slow bopping bass and expert leisurely drumming. And then there are the vocals; which are absolutely fitting for the music, hypnotic by default and make you thank the heavens for the Spanish language. Lo Desaparecido holds that weird middle ground between limitless and limited. Like something disappearing right before your very eyes. Espejismo mágico!

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Swarm of Spheres – Swarm of Spheres

Swarm of Spheres – Swarm of Spheres

Self released – 2012

Rock, Metal, Stoner, Sludge, Core

Rated: ****

As we all know Canada is one of the few chosen countries on this doomed rock; a sort of earthly paradise. Sure it gets cold now and again and one must always be on the lookout for flying hockeypucks. But on all other fronts it is pure bliss. And with bands like Swarm of Spheres providing the soundtrack to the Canadian dream you sure as hell can’t escape the feeling that there is still a small glimmer of hope on the horizon. Formed at the tail end of 2010 the three earned their spurs in bands such as Jesus Mullet, I Hate Sally, Bless This Mess, The Chariot, BarnBurner and Architect. On their first self-titled effort as Swarm of Spheres they combine those influences and bring forth a heavy crushing debut. It’s speedy sludge with rapid rock and mellow metal. It has a snappy punk quality that makes the drawing doom even more scrumptious. The comparisons are there to be made ofcourse; but they do not try to emulate or copy. It is a raw and atavistic stomper of a record that does not punch your lights out; but politely tramples over you in all their apparent modesty… Canadian gold!

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Santa Cruz – Down On My Knees

Santa Cruz – Down On My Knees

Motorwolf – 2011

Rock, Sludge, Doom, Drone, Seventies, Stoner

Rated: *****

Our very own hero and savior Guy Tavares from Orange Sunshine and a truckload of other musical endeavors has released a second album with his other band Santa Cruz. Where it’s first one was a gigantic and already legendary one-track trip called What Is Love? The second one will ring on even longer and further down into mythical history and is called Down On My Knees, features a slightly improved version of What Is Love? and is a hyperactive doombuggy breed of heroin fueled boner boogie. The sinister atmosphere produced by their dangling droning tunes and acidic riffs is only rivaled in brilliance by the languid tired and wavering demon chased vocals and absolutely swinging drums. Insanely amazing rock violence triggering waves of psychotic and psychedelic adventures. Their imposing sound charms you into opium dreams filled with sweet longings full of ancient lust. An absolutely mandatory album for every music head and vinyl freak…

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Wallace Vanborn – Lions, Liars, Guns and God

Wallace Vanborn – Lions, Liars, Guns and God

East/News – 2012

Rock, Stoner, Garage

Rated: *****

The raw bluesy garage sound rubbing up against stoner has been blossoming of late in the beautiful little country called Netherlands. Think of firstwaver De Staat, the amazing Shaking Godspeed, the wonderful Automatic Sam or the tasty Birth of Joy for instance. But the neighbors to the south also have a few of their own advocates for the genre. The new record Lions, Liars, Guns and God from Wallace Vanborn for example. A mean but very catchy record that keeps in vein with other Belgian acts like Triggerfinger and Hicky Underworld, but fresher and younger than the first and less weird and noisy as the second. Its a hefty dose of guitar and drum violence and at times almost possessed vocals. With the help from producer David Bottrill (Muse, Tool) they deliver a second album full of danceable heavy rock heaped with stunning hooks and a wall of sound. It took their earlier sound to a much higher and mature level; one only attainable by a chosen few; the ones with their rock hearts in exactly the right place…

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Gingerpig – Ugly Heart

Gingerpig – Ugly Heart

The lovely Gingerpig, the band around ex-Gorefest gitarist Boudewijn Bonebakker has produced a new song for the new Dutch book Snoep (Candy) by Mark Verver. The track Ugly Heart is downloadable for free on the website of Suburban Records…

Gingerpig – Ugly Heart

Grifter – Grifter

Grifter – Grifter

Ripple Music – 2011

Rock, Southern, Classic, Hard, Seventies, Blues, Stoner

Rated: *****

 

Originally started as a foursome in the horrible and insane year of 2003 they became a trio after their first gig. Eight years on the three amigos are still going strong and they delivered their first full-sized, self-titled album: Grifter. Exploding with simple but enormously fat riffs and a massive groove these booze fueled tunes will push not only the wavering alcoholics but even the most secure renouncers of the drink off the wagon. It is raw passion and a pure love for the riff that propels this album to sheer heights. No intricate or complex structuring, but unmistakable catchy melodies and impressive hooks finished off by tremendous vocals. Good ol’ fashioned rock by them good ol’ boys; bring the good ol’ times for all you good ol’ boozehounds. So poor yerself another tall one and put this record on repeat; for this is iron strong bluesy rock with a Southern sauce that needs to be baptized in some good ol’ bourbon… Gravy!

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Gandhi’s Gunn – The Longer The Beard The Harder The Sound

Gandhi’s Gunn – The Longer The Beard The Harder The Sound

Taxi Driver Records – 2012

Rock, Metal, Stoner, Hard

Rated: *****

Peaceful resistance is a farce, get a gun, grow a beard and get rocking. That’s the way to go! And so we gladly follow the Italian quartet Gandhi’s Gunn into battle. Their debut album Thirthyeahs was already a stalwart work of hard hitting riffs, but their sophomore record The Longer The Beard The Harder The Sound tops that easily. It’s chockfull of incredible riffage, pounding drums and excellent vocals. Leaning heavily on the harder, heavy and grimy side of stoner metal the band also proves it can write long and mesmerizing tracks with Flood and the album closer Hypothesis. Both provide an amazing adventure through different energy currents and waves of psychedelics. But from note number one of the album opener Haywire it’s a full throttle and overwhelming guitar and drum assault by these Italian freaks. And those excellent vocals almost seem possessed at times without ever losing sight of the song. I guess it’s clear that we will have tons of fun with the guys from Gandhi’s Gunn. So let’s hope their conquest takes them across the world in a very near future; cause I love their harder sound and am definitely gonna sport the beard to prove it!

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Dumbsaint – Something That You Feel Will Find Its Own Form

Dumbsaint – Something That You Feel Will Find Its Own Form

Bird’s Robe Records – 2012

Rock, Post, Metal, Prog

Rated: ***

Based out of Sydney, Australia the instrumental three-piece Dumbsaint has just released their debut album Something That You Feel Will Find Its Own Form. Created around 2007 as an extra outlet for their musical imagery the film students use visual effects during their live shows and with it create an entirely new cinematic horizon. As can be seen on their 2009 DVD Perennial 2009. On their first record however they take all the essentials from bands such as Isis and Tool and turn it into their own sound experiment. With only a minimum in atmospheric change throughout the record the songs specialize in bringing together the fragile moments and the heavy explosions. But after a few plays there is that nagging feeling that something is missing or that something overused in the post-rock-progressive-metal scene is ever present. It leaves you wanting more; more of Dumbsaint and of the three-piece that hides below the surface. For their technical and spacious drumming, the emotional and ethereal guitars and the incredible basswork shows clearly that there is brilliance lurking in those murky waters…

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