Helms Alee – Sleepwalking Sailors

Helms Alee – Sleepwalking Sailors
Suburban/Sargent House – 2014
Sludge, Experimental, Psych
Rated: *****

Starting off a mention like this with the remark that an album is simply indescribable, indescribable good and genre-defying indefinable is never a good idea. But we did it anyway and now will have to make due. The first two records by Helms Alee released on the now defunct Hydra Heads Records were already heavy laced with ideas and possibilities but somewhere along the way failed to make their point. Well, the new album Sleepwalking Sailors knows exactly where to stick the pointy edge. Released via Sargent House which also features notorious bands like Deafhaven and Boris the Seattle trio drives it home on eleven tracks that exact vengeance on all those concepts that escaped their grasp on their earlier releases. The almighty and sovereign sound was recorded analog and expertly captured by studio genius Chris Common (Chelsea Wolfe, Pelican, Isis). Their radical sludge, ice cold post rock and snide digs of wave and psychedelica leaves the listener breathless, uneasy and in awe. The female vocals by bass player Dana James and witchy drum beast Hozoji Matheson-Margullis cast off like bouncing stones against the waves of brutal screams by guitarist Ben Verellen. Which could or should be used even more I reckon; for this sweet and sour, acid and base approach is what Helms Alee does best. It is a drainage of opposites that just gets more condensed as it whirls and twists it way towards the inevitable end. Sleepwalking Sailors is a massive thunderstorm with bursts of sunlight interspersed; it seems like magic and it enchants like a snakelike rainbow biting its own tail. And there’s no way for you to dodge the lightning…

(Written by JK)

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Wolfskop – Wolfskop EP

Wolfskop – Wolfskop EP
Lighttown Fidelity – 2014
Rock, Alternative, Stoner
Rated: ****

Three former members of the Eindhoven formation The Goods have returned to the nest and renamed it Wolfskop (Wolf’s head). When the band dissolved six years ago they all created their own routes. One of them joined Gods Monkey and another Komatsu, while singer/guitarist Daan Koch travelled the world and stuck his dirty fingers in a lot of musical education cakes. And when the songs started coming back to him he could only envision playing them with his former buddies. One call was all it took and drummer Marcin Hurkmans from The Risque jumped at the opportunity to join up. Together they now produced a six tracks strong EP that ofcourse has influences that remind of the bands we all mentioned and the others they played in like The Spades and Stereos. But it also sails a distinctively own course; a much more laidback or perhaps less punky approach to everything heavy and still be chuck full of grit. Sure it’s alternative rock with a stoner spirit; but none is ever overly prevalent. It is however fierce and rambunctious rock that changes color when you least expect it. Intense rhythms delivered by an expert section and tasty guitars topped off by damn fine vocals. Not long now before we all turn into peacocks; with a Wolfskop…

(Written by JK)

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Wolfskop - The Man Behind The Gun

 

Wolfskop - The Man Behind The Gun

 

Brave Black Sea – Fragments

Brave Black Sea – Fragments
V2 – 2014
Rock, Stoner, Desert
Rated: ****

 

My obsession with everything even remotely affiliated with the Rancho De La Luna studio and all the music coming from the Coachella Valley and Palm Desert borders on the insane. Most of the time news about new projects and recordings or possible collaborations reach me early. Therefor the report that Brave Black Sea was formed arrived somewhere in 2013. It then slipped my mind and suddenly their debut album Fragments slapped me in my face. Formed by the Sloburners Damon Garrison and Chris Hale who quickly enlisted the help from old friend and Slo-Burn band buddy Alfredo Hernandez to ‘finish what they started’ back in the late nineties. They got a hold of touring expert Clint Cunningham to fulfill the bass duties and off they went. Back towards the history they made and the future they want to reach. No need to re-invent themselves, just turn on the generators and let that desert heat blow its dusty rock all around you. Highly repetitive riffs and pounding drums lead the way while Damon’s vocals remind of something grungy and raw. Like a perfect mixture of Nirvana, Soundgarden, Slo-Burn, Across The River, Kyuss and an Orquesta Del Desierto feeling. Indeed, seminal desert rock, uncompromising and sandy…

 

(And just so you know, all you lovely Dutch and Belgian freaks; they’re playing in Wortel on 21/06 together with the new Eindhoven rockcity sensation: Wolfskop! Which we will mention tomorrow!)

 

(Written by JK)

 

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Stoner HiVe’s Quick Fire Friday

Stoner HiVe’s Quick Fire Friday

 

And we're back with new Quick Fire fun! The Stoner HiVe Quick Fire Friday segment is a weekly feature of a handful of bands and only a small amount of words to help spread their musical prowess and our melodic belief… 

MIST – Demo 2013

 

The Slovenian doom metal ladies MIST are set to embark on their first ever European mini-tour by the end of May. A perfect moment to give their 2013 Demo a little attention which was recorded as a quintet; but they now perform as a foursome. And their eighties sounding seventies tempo sounds like an occult march of despair and surrender. Especially opener Phobia, which features damn fine riffs and equally good vocals shines red with blood. Check’em out and go see them live!

 

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Bright Curse – Bright Curse

 

Another band that is about to hit the stage is the London born psychedelic doom trio Bright Curse who are playing at Desert Fest London this Sunday. Their selftitled debut EP was released in 2012 and features five tasty doom tracks that meander from stoner to fuzz and weaves it all with natural psychedelic currents. Moody, groovy and dark. Thunderous, ponderous and with an brilliant, hypnotic eternal spark!

 

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Junior Bruce – The Nomad

The amazing Junior Bruce is about to release a new full-length record somewhere on the tail-end of 2014. But before that joyous time arrives they already treat us to a follow-up EP for their heavy earlier effort called The Burden. This one is named The Nomad and bears two blazing hot stoner sludge metal tracks that are as gritty and filthy as anything you can think off. So break your fingers and break your neck; cause the brutal Junior Bruce is back!

 

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Triggerfinger – By Absence Of The Sun

Triggerfinger – By Absence Of The Sun
Excelsior – 2014
Rock
Rated: *****

 

Ofcourse we all loved the acoustic teacup Lykke Li cover I Follow Rivers. And indeed we all dug all those other cover songs like Man Down from Rihanna. But now the boys are back with some hefty true original Triggerfinger gold. And not even for a moment do they try to go for something similar and not ever for one second does it sound like the boys were tempted to search for some new single success. They go for the gusto in a big way, a dirty way and a growling thunderous way. On their fourth album By Absence Of The Sun the Belgian trio sounds filthy, adventurous and as good as they did on their first two records. The groove is darker and deeper, the sound wider and the possibilities endless. Which can be attested by the last track alone; a remix of the song First Taste featuring Wu-Tang Clan’s very own Method Man called This Is The One. And then there’s the single Perfect Match which sounds like a throwback to and a mix of glam, dance and pop. Their expert use of riffs, rhythms and beats turn their melodies and rock on most of the other songs into much more than most bands will ever able to. Malicious guitars and heavy breathing lead the way. And underneath is all is their growling soul and funk that has been propelling the sexy Triggerfinger energy ever forward and every higher. The night is dark and full of Triggerfinger…

 

(Written by JK)

 

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Blondstone – Mass Solace

Blondstone – Mass Solace
Self released – 2014
Rock, Alternative, Stoner, Grunge
Rated: *****

 

From the first to the last note the debut album Mass Solace by French trio Blondstone hauls you along on a whirlwind adventure. These guys implore excellent use of everything good that grunge brought to the table without ever sounding like a grunge band. They do the same with their almost math-like aspect of constantly changing patterns, rhythms and sequences. And this might sound weird or insane; but together with their hefty stoner energy and desert atmosphere it is one hell of a legendary first release. It is a wild ride and one that never slows down; like a rollercoaster gone berserk or a rocket gone haywire. Truly amazing drum work and incredible bass rollers are only bested by the impressive guitar and damn delicious vocals. These songs hold so much beauty captive that after one glance through the bars you want to set it free. And once it is; you soar and get high and feel that euphoria that only this kind of pure musical gold can induce! Mass Solace will not only soothe it will make your heart race and your extremities go mental!

 

(Written by JK)

 

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Watch out for the bunny!!!

Mammatus Cloud – EP

Mammatus Cloud – EP
Ozium Records/Sulatron/Kloakken/Self released – 2013
Rock, Psych, Stoner, Prog, Space
Rated: ****

This mention has been laying in wait for some time. For reasons that soon shall be explained. The Danes are always cool. Laidback, but ready for action. Just like Mammatus Cloud. On their first title-less EP they build and build and build and tear down and demolish and re-construct. It’s an amazing psychedelic construction yard filled with all these weird little creatures that just want to erect something grand or majestic. And then decide they want to have it exactly the other way around. And around it goes. And it’s all founded on groundwork of heavy fuzz and space waves. And that’s the kicker; cause just when you think you’re on solid earth you’re suddenly soaring high and feeling like a golden god. At which point you start to wonder if it’s the acid or the ibogaine you had last summer that’s rearing its lovely head?  Is the mattress in the corner really telling you its okay? Nobody will ever know. Just know this: the Mammatus Cloud quartet knows how to keep a psychedelic adventure going with heavy blues, a stoner groove and have the listener on the edge of its seat. Wooha!

(Written by JK)

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The Whocares – Now In Full Stereo

The Whocares – Now In Full Stereo
Self released – 2014
Rock, Speed, Punk
Rated: ****

 

The Belgian five piece The Whocares first stomped on the terra around 2001. It was an alcohol-fueled summer that started their ugly business. A few EP’s, splits and compilations later we arrive at the proud release of their actual full-sized debut album, nicely titled: Now In Full Stereo. It brings all that hard speed rock ‘n roll power we know from heavy acts like Peter Pan Speedrock, Gluecifer or Hellacopters in radiating colors. It is fast paced and proud beer guzzling punk music that’s way rawer and much wider than most punk bands and refuses to go for that choppiness most acts usually do. It is straight forward no nonsense neck breaking enjoyment and one that can be savored many times over. For even though the boys have a knack for short, sweet and tasty powerhouses. They put just enough of creamy licks and wizard guitar moves in them to have you coming back for more and more. I’m gonna eat one of my hats if these guys don’t deliver the goods live as well… Like the pro’s they sound they are…

 

(Written by JK)

 

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Peter Pan Speedrock - Get You High!

 

Peter Pan Speedrock - Get You High!

 

And just to kick things off properly! The first single Get You High! from the upcoming album Buckle Up And Shove It by Dutch formation Peter Pan Speedrock is out now and doing it's ugly business! It will also be released as a seven inch featuring the The Damned cover New Rose. Check out the damn fine video and get high!

Road to recovery…

Road to recovery…

 

The operation has gone well and soon I shall be able to perform those rudimentary functions once more. You all know which ones I’m referring to! I’m shedding skin and bandages like a mad man and can’t wait to get back into action. So the Stoner HiVe show will continue pretty soon… Thanks everyone for the well wishes and let’s get crackin!