Mahogany Head Grenade – Return to the Point of Departure

Mahogany Head Grenade – Return to the Point of Departure

Self released – 2013

Rock, Metal, Progressive, Instrumental

Rated: ****

Formed in the year of our Lord 2011 via an add on Craigslist this instrumental trio hails from the great state of Texas. We are referring to Mahogany Head Grenade who tracked their debut record Return to the Point of Departure live and had it recorded and engineered by Sterling Winfield (Pantera, Damageplan, Hellyeah) at Valve Studios in Dallas. It was then mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Cynic, Halford, Sepultura) at Maor's studio in California, USA. Quite the names for a debut effort you might think. Well; the instrumental progressive metal found on this five track album can hold its own with the best of them. Think Liquid Tension Experiment good; then add the sonic guitar waves of Satriani, Vai and that classical Roman sound that Sfogli exhumes and a bopping bass that speaks majestically about undercurrents and a open drumsound that sometimes reminds of Peart. In short; Mahogany Head Grenade has delivered a classic piece of progressive and symphonic metal virtuosity that can shine along all those great diamonds from the past…

(Written by JK)

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The Heavy Co. - Midwest Electric

The Heavy Co. - Midwest Electric

DPR Records – 2013

Stoner, Psychedelic, Garage

Rated: ***

It doesn’t take long to see the influences for Indiana’s own The Heavy Co. The group kicks off the album with a wheezing, cough intro a la Master of Reality. They then proceed to walk through a wide spectrum of retro styles on their sophmore effort, Midwest Electric. “The Humboldt County Waltz” is a driving, hard rocker with vague southern overtones. Generally Midwest Electric becomes more laid-back, psychedelic and tunes tend to drift into the lava-lamp lit vestige of the 70’s most drugged out bands. “Neil Young” starts off what could be a serious CSNY throwback; only the thick organ that permeates the track is way more psychedelic than anything you’d hear on an early Neil Young record. The ensuing “Greasy Much” sounds like a lost Flower Travellin’ Band track. The best example of Heavy Co’s  70s cherry-picking is “One Big Drag”, which starts out innocently enough (or maybe its maliciously enough?) with a textbook Sabbath riff, only to launch into the Hendrixsphere with a fiery solo which melts down into a suitably 70s funk rock ending. The only indicator of modernity to Heavy Co. may be the vocals, which have an understated 90’s Alt rock vibe to them. Care to explore the sonic palates of the rock heroes of yore? Let The Heavy Co. be your guide.

(Written by Matthew McGarity)

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Karma To Burn - Live at Bannerman's

Karma To Burn - Live at Bannerman's 

Rocking hard as a two-piece at Edinburgh's own Bannerman's.

Church of Misery – Thy Kingdom Scum

Church of Misery – Thy Kingdom Scum

Metal Blade/Rise Above Records – 2013

Doom, Stoner, Doom Rock, Doom Boogie

Rated: *****

If you haven’t by now taken the time to explore that depraved world of doom-boogie cum murderer obsessed entity that is Church of Misery, you really can’t call yourself a fan of doom. Such is the explosive, strange and ultimately infectious power that these Japanese sickos impart to the listener that one cannot help but head bang as if we were all collectively transported back to 1970 Detroit during a Black Sabbath encore of “Sweet Leaf”.  Thy Kingdom Scum, their newest entry into the canon of murder-rock is possibly their finest entry into the field. Hideki Fukusawa’s vocal are stronger than ever with a new sort of crooning twist to them that sound no less evil. The riffs are the highlight and the only proof you need of this is the crushing instrumental opener “B.T.K. (Dennis Rader)”. The only knock on the album is the lack of a killer (no pun intended) single in the same mold as past accomplishments of yore like ‘Born to Raise Hell” and “Megalomania”. If you’re a CoM fan you already have this. If not, its time to go to Church.

(Written by Matthew McGarity)

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Maidens – Eve of Absolution

Maidens – Eve of Absolution

Error Records – 2013

Progressive, Sludge, Doom, Hardcore, Post Metal

Rated: ***

Hailing from the suddenly rich musical scene of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Maidens, are a sludgey post-metal-ish type group focused on the same dynamics as your friendly neighborhood Mastodon or Neurosis and churning it into a sound of their own. By their own we mean doom-as-hell riffs that will please fans from all sects of the doom metal community. Checkout “Discord: Storm on the Horizon” for classic doom/sludge dominancy in the form of an instrumental. As expected, heavy, detuned guitars and hardcore shouts dominate the sound, however a few interesting breaks from their main battleground keeps things interesting. For instance closer “The Calm, The Silence” ends things on an incredibly morose note with its mournful (yet heavy) lead guitar work. Eve of Absolution seems to be a concept album centered on civilization destruction and resurrection. Surely not for everyone and this type has been blown out many times over throughout the past decade but certainly great for fans of the style.

(Written by Matthew McGarity)

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Scorpion Child – Scorpion Child

Scorpion Child – Scorpion Child

Nuclear Blast – 2013

Rock, Seventies, Blues, Stoner

Rated: *****

Want to hear something timeless and classic? Want to wear flowers in your hair and move to San Francisco? Want to be around when Zeppelin and Sabbath redefined rock music? Get on board with Scorpion Child. They bring all of that and then something and that something is even more bombastic than elephants playing drums. Hell, they seem to reinvent that classic stuff all over again and when they forgo that timeless era it uses seventies kraut and psychedelic stuff that mesmerizes. Brand new and shiny riffs that sound like lost friends from the hazy days and electric-kandy-kolored-tangerine drum fills. Infectious, catchy, moving, stirring and simply awesome. And listen to that voice; holy freakin Jezus! We have moved back through time to discover something, which we call ‘round’ and let’s call it a wheel! And if you don’t know what the hell I’m referring to now; just listen to Scorpion Child and let that Jurassic venom move through your veins like smoky dances… 

(Written by JK)

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Soul Sister Dance Revolution – Playground Kids

Soul Sister Dance Revolution – Playground Kids

Homebass – 2013

Rock, Pop, Indie, Stoner

Rated: **

Back in the summer of 2009 somewhere around The Hague, The Netherlands five guys found each other and decided to start a Revolution. Ofcourse this band has little to do with Dance or Soul but so much more with catchy indie and poppy stoner. They named themselves Soul Sister Dance Revolution and implored influences from Queens Of The Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal from the other side of the big pond. And load of British groove like the Arctic Monkeys or Kasabian have got going on. The result is energetic and loaded with hooks and worms. Not every song has the same amount of fun layers hidden and overall quality; but then again it is only their debut album and after all they’re just Playground Kids messing around. On the other hand; a little more hair on their balls, a few more hazardous stunts with fire and a decent amount of nights in the gutter and this could turn into something dangerous and exciting.

(Written by JK)

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Los Asteroide – Los Asteroide

Los Asteroide – Los Asteroide

Self released – 2013

Alternative, Psychedelic, Desert, Stoner, Instrumental

Rated: ****

We’ll try to keep the Los Natas comparisons to a minimum here at the Hive. That being said, Argentina’s Los Asteroide conjure up wonderful memories of early day Natas about as well as any band you’ll find in 2013. Think of an instrumental Cuidad de Brahman and you’re getting close. On their first full-length LA go all out with the huge opener, “Houston Tenemos un Problema”, a sprawling desert/stoner/psych jam that sets the tone of the album quite nicely. Listeners who dig the likes of Tia Carrera, Domo, Luna Negra, Colour Haze etc. will be ecstatic to add this to their cache of jam-based psych heaviness. It’s perfectly equipped for burning one on a stifling summer evening, driving down the highway, windows down, destination: nowhere. The ensuing shorter tracks tighten Asteroide’s sound a bit and bring a punchy, sound more in line with Kyuss and Natas (doh!). Brimming with confidence and working well within the stoner rock tenants, Los Asteroide serve up a granite-solid album.

(Written by Matthew McGarity)

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Red Fang, The Sword and Komatsu at the Effenaar, Eindhoven

Red Fang, The Sword and Komatsu at the Effenaar, Eindhoven

It was hot and sweaty in Eindhoven. Even though the temperature wasn’t that high the rainfront that was moving in made everything humid, clammy and desirable. It was a promise of something. A storm, a marvelous night or even a righteous adventure. And what better way to herald such a night than to see a couple of bands level a packed venue in your hometown. After the cancellation of Clutch the bill still contained three exciting bands that can stand tall on every stage. The early evening started of with Komatsu paving the way for all the heaviness to come. A tad bit sloppy guitar and too precise drumwork made the beginning sound both clinical and shaky. But that was only the beginning; cause after they picked up speed Komatsu steamrolled through a half filled venue with feverous energy and a strangeling aggression that got everyone riled up for more. Especially after the Slo Burn cover July… 

After which The Sword had it easy. The crowd has swelled and as the vintage sound of The Sword moved across the floor the heads bopped and the bodies moved. Grins facewide, sedutive smiles and eerie recollections of memories that might not even have happened. The Sword seemed to play a homeshow and had everyone eating out of their palms. Impressive guitarwork that changed color as they revisited old songs and played their new stuff. Loads of young folk in the crowd. Most of them had come for the closing act but were now in love with The Sword as well. 

But when it comes to blowing people apart and stealing everyones heart; Red Fang takes the cake and eats it too with a truckload of beer to wash it down. Holy hell; what a revenge. For on Speedfest back in December they did not convince all that much. But the fun gang put on one hell of a show after becoming the headliner of this mini-tour. Still somewhat in awe of the reception by the crowd the guys seem to enjoy every second on stage and decided to bounce that energy right back. From the first tones till the very last they pounded and pounded till every little bit of doubt was battered and bruished and transformed into full on believe. Indeed; Red Fang is heading for greatness!  

Paranoid Hitsophrenic - Super Doom Charts - June

Paranoid Hitsophrenic - Super Doom Charts

It’s that time of the month once again. Your girl’s on the rag, you’re almost out of dough, the beer collection in the fridge is getting dangerously low and the cat’s meowing like crazy from hunger. The end of the month has come and gone and the paycheck is yet to be mailed. It’s that time of the month. The time where the Doom Chart changes dramatically and spreads like wildfire! Check out this months polled charts on Lucas’s Paranoid Hitsophrenic to find out about all the new entries and stay on top of everything hot ‘n heavy! Check out them riffs man!

The Great Khan – The Rise of Khan

The Great Khan – The Rise of Khan

Bilocation Records– 2013

Progressive, Funk, Stoner

Rated: ****

Israel’s The Great Khan doesn’t have time to mess around with no dinky Mongolian Empire.  They’ve got bigger, more expansive aspirations in mind. Uncorking an army of riffs they are sent off to the far corners of the seventies.  Then, a hammer is taken to those seventies sounds and they are blasted across the universe.  Prog, funk, synth and horns all make their presence clearly felt with blood, sweat and tears on the tape reels.  And were riffs mentioned earlier?  Because those things are represented here in vast quantities, found most abundantly in the gaseous state of funk.  This thing’s got some groove alright.  Alligator daddies mingle with warlords on a spaceship Cadillac.  It’s a cruise around the electric highway of a ringed planet.  It’s a progressive take on the stoner genre with a hungry eye towards the ten-thousand-seat venue.  And here’s the kicker, this massive army of empire, this cast of thousands, this whole seven song progressive, funk, stoner album is all the work of a single man!  Yes, folks, you really can be anything you want in life, even an overlord.  The Great Khan is proof of that.

(Written by Lucas)

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Devil – Gather The Sinners

Devil – Gather The Sinners

Soulseller – 2013

Rock, Sixties, Seventies, Doom, NWOBHM

Rated: ****

Obscure and retro gold, triumphant returns to the demonic sounds of old. Devil too, stomps back to those wonderful days in the sixties and the seventies when the almighty riff blew everyone away. With a layers of dust covering their songs they seem to care little for what others might think or say. They move in their very own mysterious way. Even if it means that not everyone will enjoy their journey towards dead center. For that is where they are heading for on this album. On Gather The Sinners the Norwegians move through those sixties and seventies time layers with definite prowess and implore a little bit of NWOBHM yore as they set course of the middle of the earth. Never straying for their chose path. And on some moment you almost think that there is little to see outside; but then through that repetitive mantra like darkness there shines a shiny diamond or some blue shimmering gem. And straight on. Straight on it goes…

(Written by JK)

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Been Obscene – Pilot The Pirates

Been Obscene – Pilot The Pirates

Early next year will see the release of Been Obscene’s third full-sized yet untitled studio album. One thing’s for sure; the new track Pilot The Pirates will be on it. And another thing’s for sure well: it’s gonna be damn good once again!!

The Dive – Zo’e

The Dive – Zo’e

Spinalonga – 2013

Alternative, Psychedelic, Hard Rock

Rated: ***

2013’s Zo’e starts off simply enough; hard riffs, a throbbing bass line, understated vocals, a serious alternative/90s vibe. It’s a pretty nice way to kick off a pleasant hard rock session. However, Greece’s The Dive start incorporating some pretty interesting psychedelic moments during the second half of the album’s trim, half hour run time. Take “Walking on Behalf of” for example, a bluesy, hard/loud type track that gets progressively more Psychedelic (complete with acid soaked howling). “Wolff’s Law” has some prominent whistling to go with a slick stoner riff, its over before you know it though and headfirst we go into the albums three-part closer “Zo’e” which is about as close to sprawling as the album gets. And that’s the nice thing about Zo’e, it focuses its stoner tunes into bite size chunks that never overstay their welcome and stay with the listener without never ending repetition.

(Written by Matthew McGarity)

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Egypt – Become The Sun

Egypt – Become The Sun

MeteorCity, Lyderhorn Records, Totem Cat Records – 2013

Rock, Desert, Seventies, Stoner, Doom

Rated: *****

Down on the dirty streets of Heliopolis three friends watch in wonder as the people worship that big golden round thing in the sky. Back in North Dakota those three decide to put their visions to music and try to Become The Sun. Egypt started some nine years ago and moved us with their debut self-titled EP in 2007. The four tracks stood out as a testament for everything heavy, honest and pure. After which it went quiet and the world longed for a new revelation. With their full-sized record Become The Sun the trio deliver even more by way of a mighty groove and a full on adoration of the riffs that exhume blistering heat and shimmering beauty. It sounds like ancient metallurgy and bronze working. It is the guitar that takes the reign and it is the drum that beats to the rhythm of some unholy heartbeat. Mesmerizing and enchanting!

(Written by JK)

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Cathedral – The Last Spire

Cathedral – The Last Spire

Rise Above – 2013

Rock, Metal, Doom,

Rated: ***

The final call for Cathedral. The Last Spire is coming down to the wire. And even though they called it quits before; this time they seem to be resolute. And on their decisive salute they return to the doom metal with which it all started. Heavy, unwielding and sluggish. Most of the songs are like the death marches up a hill that belong to endings of great tales. Some moments they move back down again and pick up speed before coming to a complete stop and hold still blow their black and tattered banner. And as ever they have those Cathedral choices on it, which are weird, fun or annoying. Like the intro that seems too bland, some freaky keyboard ditties or irritating laughter. Without those it would have been a grand tower of fable. But now it might crumble too soon like Babel and leave us with nothing but wreckage and ruins and memories of what was lost…

(Written by JK)

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