The Countdown so far...

The Countdown so far...

Since we are about to announce the Numero Uno, the Number One, the Gold Medalist of The Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown of 2015! The one that beat Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats by 37 points! It must be the right time to run through the countdown so far... Later on today, before the clock has struck twelve around the world and 2016 begins, we will know which album occupies the Number One position! And once again, thanks to all you lovely freaky voters out there for making the list more valid with every passing year! No less than 72 individual lists where added up and deduced. The few lists that came in after the deadline mark could unfortunately not be used, otherwise we would have made a total number of 78. As mentioned earlier, we are currently is a very dark and heavy period of our life. It will mean all or as much of our time as possible will be devoted to our loved ones. Which in turn will mean that there will be less time available for Stoner HiVe. Don’t worry, there will surely be a small trickle and we hope to return as soon as possible and hopefully with a bursting heart and new found trust in the order of things. We love you all out there, be good, do your absolute best and enjoy once again, as you have been doing since February… The Number ONE album of 2015… Which will be posted around midnight!

1.    …

2.    Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats – The Night Creeper

3.    Glowsun – Beyond the Wall Of Time

4.    Luna Sol – Blood Moon

5.    Black Rainbows – Hawkdope

6.    The Atomic Bitchwax – Gravitron

7.    Kadavar – Berlin

8.    Goatsnake – Black Age Blues

9.    Jess & The Ancient Ones – Second Psychedelic Coming: the Aquarius Tapes

10.    Graveyard – Innocence & Decadence

11.    The Machine – Offblast!

12.    Acid King – Middle Of Nowhere, Centre Of Everywhere

13.    Windhand – Grief’s Infernal Flower & Arenna - Given to Emptiness

14.    Rotor – Funf

15.    Ghost – Meliora

16.    Clutch – Psychic Warfare, The Sword – High Country & Freedom Hawk – Into Your Mind

17.    Ruby The Hatchet – Valley Of The Snake & We Hunt Buffalo – Living Ghosts

18.    Monster Magnet – Cobras and Fire (the Mastermind Redux)

19.    With The Dead – With The Dead

20.    Witchskull – The Vast Electric Dark

Number 2

Number 2

“The more candles on my cake means I get a little more exercise in blowing them out.” ~ Lemmy

No less that forty points! Yes, we jump forty points from Glowsun’s Beyond The Wall Of Time on Third place to our Silver medalist. A band that has been making the Top 20 countdown almost since their conception. Ending on Number 12 back in 2011 and Number 15 in 2013. Apparently everyone out there has been even more in love with their newest release. Less of a nightmare but still scary and intense and it will definitely give you the creeps. Or as Madman Tony Maim put it back in September: “A heavier sound which still retains the ‘69/’70 Blue Cheer vibes but at the same time turning up the psychedelic and druggy feel which holds so much allure to warped minds like myself – and indeed you – my dear Stoner HiVe readers.” So without further ado, let’s get wicked with NUMBER 2 !!

Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats – The Night Creeper

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Number 3

Number 3

“My mother made this upside-down cake that went horribly wrong. I made her make it again and again, for years, because I liked it so much. It never worked, yet it always worked, if you get my drift.” ~ Lemmy

We jump thirteen points from Luna Sol at Number 4 to reach the Bronze medalist of 2015. A band that has been doing great for years and had been having doubts about where to go to next after the album they released this year. But when you release such a glorious record, there is no way to go but on and on. Cause that is the only aspect of time that is constant. It goes on. Just like this album. An instrumental masterpiece. An intricate work of art. Like a high prized Swiss clock it turns and shifts and balances out on the exact right moment. The pounding drums and growling riffs have you soaring high. The time-umbrella concept really feels like an adventure; and thanks to all the minutiae you keep discovering little musical trinkets with every new listening session. This is definitely an album for the ages and I am happy to discover all you lovely freaks out there felt the exact same way! Number 3 !

Glowsun – Beyond the Wall Of Time

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Number 4

Number 4

“I’ve been eating cake since the day I was born. Been eating cake, drinking whisky and seducing the ladies!” ~ Lemmy

The final one point jump takes up to Number 4. After this amazing album come the big leaps. Have you recovered from taking in the Hawkdope record? Cause Black Rainbows ended up on Number 5. I haven’t, it truly is a masterpiece. A big thank you to all you lovely freaks out there that voted for it, it has brought it back to my attention. The band that follows is one that released their debut this year and is championed by a true legend. A legend that formed bands like Hermano, Supafuzz and Asylum On The Hill and a real hero for yours truly. There’s something dark and brooding about this record. Which might be due, once again, thanks to the weird mountain folklore and scary stories his backyard is steeped in. You can almost smell the blood dripping of the hooks, riffs and growling guitars. Dirty power chords and bourbon soaked drums. It’s steamy and with every track that passes you feel the shadows come alive around you… Number 4!

Luna Sol – Blood Moon

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Number 5

Number 5

“I've learnt that if I tell myself I'm not allowed something, I binge on it later. So if I want chocolate, I have chocolate. If I want biscuits, I have biscuits. I love cake. I just love cake.” ~ Geri Halliwell

Perhaps. To be completely honest, the biggest surprise for me, comes after the jump of two points from The Atomic Bitchwax on Number 6 to Number 5. Once again, let me state the obvious, incredible album and one that deserves every inch of the spot they are on. I just had not expected it this high. But Madman Tony Maim recognized its greatness back in March when it was released.  “Hints of fuzz electric blues are scattered throughout with searing effect and yes, it does make me want to drive faster with my arm hanging out of the window, music blaring from the speakers on the way to some humdrum place of work, having my soul lifted by this potential masterpiece.” Hell yeah! I’m ordering the LP as we speak! Number 5 is… !!!

Black Rainbows – Hawkdope

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Number 6

Number 6

“All the good cakes have already been eaten by people with wigs and stuff.” ~ Frank Zappa

A massive jump of fourteen points takes us up to Number 6. A band that made the list at Number 7 back in 2011 and the absolute Numero Uno according to Charlie Tooth. So let’s let him do the talking. “I ask you, how can a band like this not make the list? That's right, no way in hell it wouldn't! This year’s release is kick ass, bad ass and downright dirty. Ten tracks of unadulterated bliss, from Sexecutioner right to the pop savvy Ice Age Hey Baby. This trio is a bands band in every sense of that statement. Pantella, Ryan and Kosnik all shine on this record. For a band that has been around well over a decade the shit just keeps getting better. And have you ever seen a bassists fingers eat lighting and crap thunder like Kosnik's do? (Sorry, I had to fit that in. Hahaha) Thank you for another awesome atomic release.” Fourteen points above Kadavar on Number 7 we find on Number 6 ...!

The Atomic Bitchwax – Gravitron

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The awesome cake above courtesy of the boys from . . . . . :    Freedom Hawk.

Who made the list at Number 16 this year and baked the cake above for the 6th birthday of one of their sons. Best of late birthday wishes for the little man and thanks to Freedom Hawk for sharing the awesome picture. As well as their awesome new album!

Number 7

Number 7

“Cake? Who needs cake? I’d rather guzzle drink and put other stuff up my nose!” ~ Keith Richards

Two points above Goatsnake on Number 8 we find a trio that has been aweing fans all across the world with their stage performance and stunning shows. And the albums did well as well. Reaching Number 2 back in 2012 and Number 5 in 2013. But for some reason they never completely lived up to their live concerts. This one perhaps is closer to that awesome truth. Or as Madman Tony Maim put it back in September: “Thank fuck, these Germans have come up with new killer riffs, cool song compositions and a slightly more polished production sound which has expanded their sonic horizons, meaning the tracks sound massive and rock like a bastard.” No extra words needed. Check out Number 7!

Kadavar – Berlin

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The cake was specially baked and handcrafted by WDG! 

If you need a cake, WDG is the place to run to!

 

Number 8

Number 8

“I never got a chocolate birthday cake; I got a carob one. And when I went to other kids' houses, I was very covetous of things like Cheez Whiz that I'd find in their refrigerators.” ~ Amanda Marshall

With seven points above Jess And The Ancient Ones we make a bigger jump to reach Number 8. A band that released their last album fifteen years ago and since then became legendary. Like their reunion gig on Roadburn 2010. Instant legendary. And then to return with an album that punches out magical riffs that rattles, churn and flutter without ever taking the leading role. Cause that is reserved for the vocalist who surfs and skates across all the incredible music delivered. Awesome blues for the dark dark days… Number 8!

Goatsnake – Black Age Blues

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The worst...

The worst...

Unfortunately, the already dubious year we were having over here. Has turned for the absolute worst. 

Without going into details over that fact, let me state the what surely will become obvious soon enough.

For the next few months the HiVe will slow down to a trickle. Cause all our time will be devoted to our loved ones. 

We will try to complete the Stoner HiVe countdown though. But it will probably be posted highly erratic. 

My love and wishes go out to all of you lovely freaks out there. Be smart about your time. It appears it can be taken away from you at a moments notice and when you least expect it.

So do your best. Always.

Number 9

Number 9

“I really thought it was chocolate cake!” ~ Ozzy Osbourne

We jump three points after Graveyard brought us into the top 10 to find a true psychedelic screed on Number 9. Mentioned only days before the start of the Countdown the second album of this Finnish six-piece is psychedelic rock performed on the very edge of the needle. Chuck full of classic riffs and an intense occult atmosphere it is without a doubt that the female voice is the one that drags you down with the band. With a powerful and much tougher pronunciation. There is still a bit of Grace Slick in there, but for the most part her voice is still that lovely creature that seemed to skid out of control with every corner she took, but without any hesitation, for she knows, even if she doesn’t make that corner, it will still sound incredible. On Number 9 we find…

Jess & The Ancient Ones – Second Psychedelic Coming: the Aquarius Tapes

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Nummer 10

Number 10

“Well, we like to let down our hair and pep it up at the dances, but we keep it slower when we broadcast. We have to please everybody, and that softer music appeals to the larger amount of people. It's like eating too much cake. You have to have your steak too.” ~ Vaughn Monroe

As we pass The Machine with four points and enter the Top 10 it feels only fitting to let someone else do the talking about this album. Also, because we talked a lot about this band, this year and in other years. Cause they ended up on the third position in 2012 and on the second position in 2011. So here’s Charlie Tooth: “Apparently the only thing Dylan, the Animals and Derek And The Dominoes have on these Swedes is that they didn't make the list! Their 2015 LP is a perfect example of why classic never really goes out of style. How can a band that started around 2006 sound so classic? My guess is pure feel, emotion with a sense of natural playing and writing ability. Their 2015 album is pure and clean. It's not surprising these blues rockers rank so high on the  Stoner HiVe people's picks! a truly cool blues based machine that set themselves apart from the Iommi worshiping guitar bands!” Number 10 is taken up by…

Graveyard – Innocence & Decadence

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Number 11

Number 11

“No cake has ever been so fatal or so hideous. And yet, we eat it. We gorge and we barf and we puke and regurgitate and eat it all over again. Yes, we are beasts.” ~ Bono

As mentioned before, I’m always surprised about the level of commitment of all you lovely freaks out there. As much as I am surprised by the amount of great music released every year and let’s state the obvious, the amount of this year is absolutely stunning. So even though I dug the fifth album of this Dutch trio when it was released back in June I had definitely not expected it to make the countdown. Which is wrong on many level. For the album is filled with their most structured songs to date; even though they are supported by two devious psychedelic bookends at the beginning and end of the record. Their Hendrix influences might be fading and a bit more of Kyuss might be surfacing, their new record is without a doubt a typical record for this amazing trio. So, again, only one point above Acid King on Number 12 we find as a definite free rock lift-off those three boys that made the list back in 2009 and 2010 on Number 11 !!!

The Machine – Offblast!  

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Number 12

Number 12

“We've been able to have our cake and eat it, too. Every song, every T-shirt, is absolutely a pure expression of what we want to do. And it connects.” ~ Tom Morello

Only one point again. It all was that close this year. We climb one point from Arenna & Windhand on Number 13 to reach these dubious kings on Number 12. After an absence of almost ten years they finally returned. And they did this with a sure fire bang. “Think of this album as a shamanistic journey that deserves to be heard in one sitting rather than dipping in and out. This should be the slab of excellence that brings them back into their well-deserved place at the top of the underground swamp.” As Madman Tony Maim said back in February of this year.  Well, in an amazing field of incredible albums they managed to grab the Number 12 spot of the Stoner HiVe top 20 countdown. It must be their tripped out vibes that has gotten all of us hooked!

Acid King – Middle Of Nowhere, Centre Of Everywhere

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Number 13

Number 13

“Mr. Cohn was a champion of the bakery. His cakes, cookies and pastries were only rivalled by his own hearty tartes. Those were the real treats. Do not think that I am very much impressed by that fact, but it meant a lot to him and to the people cueing up for his sweetness. I was just the drunk lying in front of his store.” ~ James Maynard Keenan

As we pass Rotor on Number 14, we jump five points and find yet again two outfits occupying the same spot. Both of which ofcourse made the Doom Charts and one of these two bands made it all the way to the third position on the Stoner HiVe top 20 countdown of 2013. The Spanish five-piece, “captivates you entirely with heavy psychedelic jams, pure desert stonerrock, doom and sometimes even with a folk or pop vibe. Six epic songs to take you on a journey through time and space and with an acoustic guitar outro to bring you back to earth.” As the good Doktor420 said back in May. The Richmond, Virginian quintet once again mesmerize with that languid and husky voice that floats atop the sluggish doom riffs. They’ve turned their doom syrup into something even more swampy and wooly. Offset against the more concise songs and less lengthy compositions, it turns the entire record into a highly psychedelic wall of repetition. Less oppressive and less deceitful than the 2013 album, this flower truly opens up for the listener… The two albums on NUMBER 13 are!!!

Windhand – Grief’s Infernal Flower &

Arenna – Given to Emptiness

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Grief's Infernal Flower

Arenna

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Given to Emptiness

Number 14

Number 14

“Then there was the bad cake. It would hit your stomach like a brick. You would have to puke all night and sweat all day. Not unlike detoxing or having a nasty flu. You feel like a bunch of sodden leaves in the rain, too wet and heavy to move. What? Of course I am talking about cake! What else?” ~ Axl Rose.

I was surprised to see so many of you out there vote for the guys we find on Number 14. Not because they don’t deserve it or aren’t that good. But simply because there has been so much great music this year and I reckoned a lot would forget about these wonderful cats. So on Number 14, with once again only one point more than Ghost we celebrate the first instrumental effort on the Top 20 countdown. Hailing from Berlin, this quartet knows how to create universes within their songs, but all the while moving towards atavistic stoner one minute and eerie psychedelics the next. It is their fifth record and with it they display a true love for everything we freaks hold dear in all these amazing heavy genres… So, without further ado…Number 14 !

Rotor – Funf

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Number 15

Number 15

“Sunshine Cake is just a fun hobby thing. That's about it.” ~ Krist Novoselic

We climb another two points to find an album that has not just made the list of many heavy rock lover; but also lists of every other kind of music fiend. This album has been championed by lovers of rock, metal, pop and musical theater maniacs. Yes, we are ofcourse referring to those cats in robes that know what Blue Oyster Cult was all about, as well as ABBA. And on all those moments that they rock hard and sound good you are enjoying the hell out of yourself. But on those almost pompous, dramatic moments of overtures, you know this is what these robed freaks do best, turn the theatrical into something catchy and addictive. So yes, above Number 16, above the amazing Clutch, The Sword and Freedom Hawk we find on Number 15…

Ghost – Meliora

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Number 16

Number 16

“I am not strict vegan, because I'm a hedonist pig. If I see a big chocolate cake that is made with eggs, I'll have it.” ~ Grace Slick

Three points above those two crazy bands on Number 17 we find no less than three groups celebrating all that goodness that free rock and stoner trucking entails. Three bands that came through with albums this year that a lot of you out there thought were the best of the entire year. But still, they did not get enough points to end up higher than this wild Number 16. Perhaps there was some heavy warfare on route to the country. Or perhaps the psychic power never made it completely into the mind of everyone. Well, they did make into yours! And they sure as hell made it into mine. So above We Hunt Buffalo & Ruby The Hachet we find…

Clutch – Psychic Warfare, 

Freedom Hawk – Into Your Mind &

 The Sword – High Country

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Number 17

Number 17

“I’ve had a variety of body parts in all different kinds of cakes. But for me, the strawberry cheesecake or the cinnamon apple ones will always remain the top contenders. For what you ask? I will leave that to your imagination.” ~ Lars Ulrich

On Number 17,  and yes once again with one sole point more than Monster Magnet we find… Two outfits. One from Pleasantville, New Jersey, United States and one from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Respectively a five-piece and a trio, both rocking out like true masters with a penchant for psychedelics and grand gestures. I’ve been in love with one of these bands since I first discovered them. The Canadian bunch, the rowdy grunge/fuzz freaks that always go for the big boom and take you down with them relentlessly. And I will definitely be digging deeper into the other one, now that I know all of you lovely freaks out there love it so much. And while typing, I’ve naturally just put on the album. I get it. And now I want to Live there; among the Ghosts... In The Valley Of The Snake…

Ruby The Hatchet – Valley of The Snake &

 We Hunt Buffalo – Living Ghosts

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Number 18

Number 18

“Music's been around a long time, and there's going to be music long after Ray Charles is dead. I just want to make my mark, leave something musically good behind. If it's a big record, that's the frosting on the cake, but music's the main meal.” ~ Ray Charles

Exactly one point higher as With The Dead we come across another legendary outfit. One who made it to the Number 6 position in 2013 and Number 14 position in 2010. And are now positioned at Number 18. With a re-imagining of the album released in 2010. And on it we are once again treated to novel arrangements, different lyrics, upgraded bonus tracks and a cover version of the Temptations song Ball Of Confusion. And we can definitely state we love the record and we love the fact Wyndorf and his mates keep enjoying messing around with their material this much. Yes, Cobras and Fire!

Monster Magnet – Cobras and Fire (the Mastermind Redux)

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The cake was specially baked and handcrafted by WDG! 

If you need a cake, WDG is the place to run to!

 

Number 19

Number 19

“I could be hit by a Sara Lee truck tomorrow. Which is not a bad way of going: 'Richard Simmons Found in a Freeway in Pound Cake and Fudge, With a Smile on His Face.' Let's face it. We don't know anything.” ~ Richard Simmons

As mentioned before, we have 24 bands in the Top 20 countdown of 2015. Which means that the numbers 20, 19, 18 and 17 would not have made it if there hadn’t been a couple of bands with the exact same amount of points. So the album that’s on Number 19 would not have made it. Which would probably have come to a surprise to many of you. Cause this trio are championed by a leader who was part of a legendary outfit and the two lieutenants as well. They made the Number one position of the Doom Chart and will be loved unconditionally by fans of Cathedral and Electric Wizard and ofcourse by many more. Ponderous metal mixed with thunderous rock and a multitude of dark and dusty tones and extremely malevolent sounding riffs. It is the sound of yore and of intense, powerful compulsion. Exorcism and resurrection and the birth of something wild and wonderful… Two points above Witchskull we find…

With The Dead – With The Dead

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Number 20

Number 20

“All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much.” ~ George Harrison

Spoiler alert. These cats, the biggest surprise to burst onto the Doom Chart in November, have beaten Ponamero Sundown with one point and knocked the amazing Vedesta album off the Top 20 countdown list. But these Aussies have an amazing knack for exploring all facets of atavistic rock, booking excellent time in classic doom, proto metal and bluesy stoner. And this eclecticism only adds to amazing quality of the entire album. Raw, full of grit and mystic power that quickly turns you on to their shamanistic ritual… So, find yourself a dark corner to curl up into and put on your headphones… It’s time for…

Witchskull – The Vast Electric Dark

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And so it begins… The Stoner HiVe top 20 countdown of 2015

The Stoner HiVe top 20 countdown of 2015

And so it begins…

We have passed the 20:00 CET deadline on December the 13th of this musically stupendous year of 2015 many hours ago. Yes, since last year we have decided to keep the deadline going for another day and do a lot of work in the final minutes of the first day of the Stoner HiVe top 20 countdown. And this year again, a lot of lists came in on that final day. Giving us the grand total of 72 sent in lists! There was so much great music released this year there were a lot of albums that first made it and then fell off and then made it back on and so it went. And then there’s also the fact that there are 24 bands in this top 20, which just proves the point I guess. So, my thanks goes out to all those amazing bands and artists who provided us with so much new incredible music that we all love so dearly. And ofcourse my thanks goes out to all of you lovely freaks out there, the ones who sent in their favorite albums, detailing a top 10 or a top 5 or even a top 20. And yes, this year there were, once again, two of those crazy cats that went as far at putting 56 albums in order and even 87 records. Crazy… But that’s how it goes…

So… without further ado… We give you Number TWENTY.

Yeti – Ritual

Yeti – Ritual

Self released – 2015

Rock, Hard, Stoner, Doom, Psych, Metal, Occult

Rated: *****

They hail from the cold northern wastes of Finland, just like a famed snow beast they named themselves after. But this incarnation of Yeti produces surprisingly warm sounding psychedelic rock, proto metal and occult stoner. The quartet was founded around 2009 and the album released at the end of this summer called Ritual is their debut effort. And what a great way to introduce your music to the world. Thanks to a definite eclectic bunch of tracks this album keeps you on the edge of your seat. Their confident love for the old ways has you enjoying their proto offerings, their doom trek and mystic rock which all have this folky edge to it. Thanks in huge part to the fine female vocals of Kaisa Kari, but also because of their guitar colorings in tracks like She for instance. The most impressive part is probably that you enjoy every one of those highly diverse tracks and immediately accept the variation as logical given. Where other bands stick to their guns on every track, these Finnish freaks try different avenues every song over. And not one of them sounds like a wrong corner to take. So, right before we start the Stoner HiVe top 20 countdown of 2015, only a few hours left to get your votes in, we have found another album that definitely makes the grade! Yeti, frighteningly good!

(Written by JK)

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Jess And The Ancient Ones – Second Psychedelic Coming: The Aquarius Tapes

Jess And The Ancient Ones – Second Psychedelic Coming: The Aquarius Tapes

Svart/Bertus – 2015

Rock, Psych, Seventies

Rated: *****

We were definitely in love with their self-titled debut release back in 2012. Their copper gleaming seventies rock and occult atmosphere propelled us into wicked hazy dreams. It charmed the pants of my ass and vocalist Jess did exactly everything right. Not aiming to do anything perfect and instead taking wide curves and hitting the sides here and there. And now Jess And The Ancient Ones return with a new album titled: Second Psychedelic Coming: The Aquarius Tapes. And guess what, Jess have become the singer we all hope she would. With a powerful and much tougher pronunciation. There is still a bit of Grace Slick in there, but for the most part her voice is still that lovely creature that seemed to skid out of control with every corner she took, but without any hesitation, for she knows, even if she doesn’t make that corner, it will still sound incredible. And the band has done exactly the same, made their minimal take on the seventies into something much more dared and commanding. Psychedelic rock at the very edge of the needle, and it draws blood, and that’s exactly how we all like it!

(Written by JK)

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