Stoner HiVe: november 2016

Oxblood Forge – Oxblood Forge

Self released – 2016

Rock, Hard, Stoner, Metal

Rated: ****

The self-titled debut EP by American quintet Oxblood Forge counts five tracks. Five tracks that move distinctly into a direction of heavy metal and classic hardrock. Interspersed with some stoner trucking and even some sludge here and there. Five highly diverse tracks that are not to be taking lightly. For where that opener has you revisiting the good ol’ days, the final song is much heavier and growling. Not just because the singer can do both excellent clean and snarling vocals. Also, because the drums become lower and more like an earthquake on approach while the guitars together with the bass turn into the four horsemen on route with your demise. The three tracks in between meander in the middle of those extremes. To a more speedrock (Lashed To The Mast) or pubrock (Night Crawler) approach perhaps but always with fists in the air and beer spilled. And even though we are not fans of spilled beer, we do love that fists in the air thing and therefor absolutely love Oxblood Forge!

(Written by JK)

dinsdag 22 november 2016

Cardinal – Noisehead

Self released – 2016

Rock, Stoner, Garage, Psych, Doom

Rated: ****

The new Noisehead EP by the Rumanian quartet Cardinal sports no less than seven tracks. Seven tracks that tick all the right boxes. Some would call that an album, but not these cats. Nope, they want their records to be of substance, or something meaty and with depth. Just like their music. And they’ve definitely payed attention to all the great garage rock bands before they started developing they own style. Incorporating some whirling psychedelics and some fuzzy stoner. They even turn the doom up a bit when we hit track number four Land Of The Fearful Sun. Prize song Alucarda follows, turning much more seventies and heavy. Reminiscing of the best occult rockers of late without turning into them or into something that reminds of cauldron watching. What a track. And they continue that level on the following Doombringers. Which leads us to conclude that the trek from garage orientated rock to more stoner to more doom and psychedelic heaviness is a righteous one. One done with substance, meat and depth and can only mean great things for the future releases of Cardinal!

(Written by JK)

Phase Order – Phase Order

Self released – 2016

Rock, Punk, Core, Noise, Stoner, Sludge, Metal

Rated: ***

The good Charlie Tooth wrote about their demo last year. Sweet words of wisdom and memories about long lost concerts. Well, Phase Order is back! With a self-titled continuation of their first demo. Three tracks that stomp on terra like crazy hungry noisy, punky stoned out giants. The first two tracks are labelled Idiot I and Idiot II and are short, gritty and grimy punk rockers that still definitely refer to the hardcore edge provided on their first demo. I wonder if those titles refer to Dostoyevsky? Rowdy and loud and definitely meant for abandoned warehouse. Last song Boiler lasts over fourteen minutes and takes on all kinds of different shapes. On it the trio seems to definitely explore evil metallic sounds and fuzzy filth, combining that with some stoner and some languid tones. It makes for one hell of an instrumental ride.

(Written by JK)

maandag 21 november 2016

Stoner HiVe's Top 5 Artists listened to last week

Stoner HiVe's

Top 5 Artists listened to last week:

Helms Alee (73)

Year Of The Cobra (24)

Komatsu (22)

Whores. (20)

Winter Moon (19)

zaterdag 19 november 2016

Drone Hunter – Welcome To The Hole

Self released – 2016

Rock, Metal, Instrumental, Sludge, Stoner

Rated: ****

Hailing from the lovely town of Varaždin in the north eastern part of Croatia, the instrumental three-piece Drone Hunter are about to release a new album called Welcome To The Hole. Eight intense and groovy metal tracks that definitely lend influences from stoner on some occasion and sludge more often. Riff worshippers they are indeed, but that’s not the least of it. They also have a tight rhythm section that bounce of each other and leave room for those riffs to truly explode. And did we say it’s instrumental? Apart from the countdown in the beginning ofcourse. Sure, it reminds of the great Karma To Burn on occasion, but that can never be a bad thing, now can it? Especially when they change that color up with some more choppy almost punky drumming here and there. And the simple fact that they forgo the use of effects and such. Simple, pure and honest, massive drums, wicked bass and powerful guitar. Drone Hunter, another instrumental rock force to be reckoned with!

(Written by JK)

Baron Crâne – Electric Shades

Self released – 2016

Rock, Experimental, Jazz, Jam, Psych, Stoner, Prog

Rated: ****

We dug the first EP Baron Crâne released almost a year ago. Intelligent jazzy rock that borrowed as much from stoner as it did from prog. There was something highly artistic about those tracks and they felt like something truly visionary. Well, the boys are back with a new release entitled Electric Shades. On it the Baron explores its own territory even further. We are still treated to proggy psychedelics and energetic experimentation. Perhaps the stoner side has been turned down a bit, but it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. It seems to be the ever prevalent hum beneath all the wildness that goes on, on these six tracks. For wild they definitely are as well as vibrant and full of spirit. On some levels the Baron might be a bit arrogant. Not wanting to go for the easy option when there is also a more difficult option. But hey, if one knows better there is no need to be wrong! And Baron Crâne it seems, is never wrong!

(Written by JK)

Ghost – Popestar

Spinefarm – 2016

Rock, Hard, Pop, Metal, Theatrical, Occult

Rated: ***

They have been laboring, ever forward, towards that one and ultimate goal, to create a pure cult following for the movement that is Ghost. Sure, not everyone will start professing their undying love Papa Emeritus, but the ones that do shall shower in the great abundance of rock the boys will push out into the world. For, that is something we can only give credit to the boys in robes for, they keep on producing albums and EP’s in a pretty fast pace. Every two years an album with an EP as follow-up in between. Well, almost, sort of. Anyway, Popestar is the newest EP, and continues the path they set out on with their first album. This one, like the other EP If You Have Ghost, is once again filled with covers and one own track. This time around they cover Simian Mobile Disco, Imperiet, Echo & The Bunnymen and Eurythmics. To perhaps less adornment then they did on the other EP. But that one Ghost song, Square Hammer, is definitely not bad and definitely undoubtedly Ghost. Referring once again to Abba and Blue Oyster Cult. Is that a bad thing? Hell no, it’s Ghost. And the one who are followers will surely deposit their money at the collection round once again. And the non-believers? Perhaps a few will be guided into believing as well… Perhaps not…

(Written by JK)

Goat – Requiem

Sub Pop/Suburban/Rocket – 2016

Rock, World

Rated: **

It was impossible to get into, their show back in 2013 on the Roadburn festival. They also played the Patronaat venue just like one of the most legendary shows ever on the festival, thanks to Elder. Well, we were damn well right on time for that show, but too late for Goat. The que was much too long to even consider waiting in line. That might have been our cue to be in time for Elder the next day. Ofcourse it was the year after the release of their amazing World Music album which made it to Number 7 of the Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown of 2012. Our energy for that band somewhat dwindled in the years after that, but we were hungry for something new for sure. So when Requiem came out we jumped on it. And it has been playing ever since. But where there first record immediately turned us and everyone out there on, this one is definitely more difficult. It changes color so many times, you will need all the rainbows in every dimension conceivable to gather enough of ways to describe them to try and come up with something right to say. They riddle themselves into your head without offering a solution or a way out. They tribal dance into your heart and take control of your pulse. But with all the screams and discordant chanting, it goes against the grain on too many levels to become that household favor once again. Or at least for me, and I like things weird and out there…

(Written by JK)

donderdag 17 november 2016

Doomed and Stoned Fest 2016

Tomorrow…

The very first annual Doomed & Stoned festival!

Doomed & Stoned Presents: The inaugural Doomed & Stoned music festival in Indianapolis, Indiana! Twenty-four incredible bands from all across the United States will decimate the stage at the 5th Quarter Lounge in Indianapolis on November 18th and 19th. This is not an event fans of doom and stoner metal will want to miss! Click here for directions.

This event was inspired by Doomed and Stoned’s overwhelming success with their newest compilation, “Doomed & Stoned in Indiana.” Download for free here!

So you still have almost 20 hours to get your ass over there and rock the hell out with the Doomed & Stoned clan!

Doomed & Stoned Festival

Doomed & Stoned

Zaum – Eidolon

Self released/I Hate/Superbob – 2016

Rock, Doom, Mantra, Atmospheric

Rated: ***

A duo arrived on the scene almost two years ago and nestled itself nicely and thoroughly in one of the little corners of our majestic heavy scene. The two from Moncton, Canada produce doom for the enlightened, the yoga practitioners and the ones that know very well how to breathe. And with their new record they are featured on Number 19 of the November Doom Charts. The mantra-esque quality of the new Zaum record is unparalleled. Ofcourse we cannot claim anymore that the two tracks on Eidolon are songs. But rather, a collection of psychedelic and bewitching atmospheres interspersed with musical hypnotism and colorful sound tapestries. With some oriental influences throughout, the record provides a dark yet uplifting experience that can only be qualified as something a kin of a doomed state of Zen… Om manipadmé hum. Om manipadmé doom…

(Written by JK)

The Well – Pagan Science

RidingEasy Records – 2016

Rock, Psych, Blues, Doom, Occult

Rated: ****

It is definitely not an easy feat anymore to produce a record in the vintage blues rock genre with occult, stoner, psychedelic or doom influences that can truly wow the masses. There have been a lot of those in the past years and many have been fine. But to truly produce something that sticks out above the herd is damn right difficult. Luckily we can find these cats on Number 17 of the November Doom Charts and we can therefor safely say that there is one such album now on heavy rotation. Three-piece The Well prove with their occult sounding sophomore release Pagan Science that they are capable of not only writing grade A songs, but also incorporate those into something bigger. Cause even though one can thoroughly enjoy the hell out of tracks like Black Eyed Gods, Skybound & Drug From The Banks as stand out songs. They are clearly part of a bigger picture. One that paints a righteous psychedelic doom canvas full of grandiose visions of dark and twisted knowledge…

(Written by JK)

dinsdag 15 november 2016

Val Tvoar – In Light You Believe ... but in Darkness You Dwell

Heliaed Records – 2016

Rock, Metal, Stoner

Rated: ****

The big man behind this album is Val Tvoar himself, guitarist for Soul Thrower, he apparently wanted to prove his multi-instrumentalism and production skills to himself. And to the rest of the world as well obviously by releasing his first solo-record titled: In Light You Believe…. But in Darkness You Dwell. ‘Throughout the album, on both the Light and Dark side, those Kyuss, Mastodon and occasional Fu Manchu influences come shining through, with radio-friendly 4/4 progressions that are approachable, yet inventive and edgy.’ That’s what the man writes about the album himself. And it is in fact very spot on. Which proves the man is able to set goals and attain them. Without a doubt the tracks on the album sound like those American stoner bands of old. And without a doubt those songs are all damn pleasing to the ear. With a tasty nineties alternative edge as well, especially on tracks like I Am You and Three Shovels of Dirt. I guess those songs also point towards the bonus tracks on the CD version. For the earlier released more grungy EP Into The Unknown is present on the physical album as well. What a treat. No less than four extra fast paced tracks that move towards the new-grunge of the Foo’s and radio-friendly punk. So in short, we’ve got an album spinning over here that has no weirdness, no battleships or out there tracks. But an abundance of heavy hitting commercial viable and luscious rockers that are all damn fine written and performed. Hats off to Val Tvoar and his heavy magic!

(Written by JK)

Duskwood – Desert Queen

Self released – 2016

Rock, Stoner, Desert, Hard, Grunge

Rated: ****

One would expect the rural landscape of Somerset, UK to be filled with sand dunes and cacti. And not the green pastures, hedges and slow rolling hills that are ever present. For when listening to the new release Desert Queen by Duskwood, one can only envision that which is already present in the title. Deserts. The ten tracks on this album are mostly made up out of sandy tones and sun bleached guitars. There are some faint memories of age old British hardrock or even metal around, but almost every moment goes out to celebrating the goodness that came from the desert. Starting with the fast paced fuzz ball called Obelisk and ending with the stoner rock amalgam of Stoner Cat (Coming To). Which seem to serve as two devious bookends, between which the band lusciously explores the different realms of heaviness. Moving more towards Sabbath one moment or Clutch the next, they also leave room for influences one might not immediately expect. Eighties styled metal or bourbon soaked southern rock for instance. But they do it effortlessly and with a very own John Hancock. And that is probably the best thing about Duskwood, they already sound a lot like maverick rockers that know their sound and know the deal. And we love to be dealt in and rock along!

(Written by JK)

Deep – Color Of My Soul

Self released – 2016

Rock, Doom, Grunge, Psych, Stoner

Rated: ***

(edit: Not to be confused with the Italian Deep.) Aptly reviewed by Frazer Jones on Desert Psychlist who told us to beware of this band and it’s seductive power. I did, but after that first track I became a junky anyway and I lost my head. Now I am in way too deep.

(Written by C)

DOOM CHART FOR NOVEMBER 2016

maandag 14 november 2016

Doom Chart for November 2016

Doom Chart

“For a hundred years or more the world, our world, has been dying. And not one man, in these last hundred years or so, has been crazy enough to put a bomb up the asshole of creation and set it off. The world is rotting away, dying piecemeal. But it needs the coup de grace, it needs to be blown to smithereens. Not one of us is intact, and yet we have in us all the continents and the seas between the continents and the birds of the air. We are going to put it down ― the evolution of this world which has died but which has not been buried.” ~ Henry Miller, Tropic of Cancer

You have come to the right place, acolytes of the Apocalypse. This is Doom Charts, a global collective of bloggers, album reviewers, podcasters, and radio show hosts with their fingers on the pulse of the heavy underground. November’s landscape is full of rumbling upsets, as newcomers to the scene edge out the tried and true, and old dogs make a surprising return.

As always, each member of the charts submits their rankings of new and recently released records in the doom-stoner genre (or as many of us call it, “the seventies vibe” and “the Sabbath sound”). The consensus of picks has become the November Doom Chart. This month, the list includes both signed and unsigned bands, big labels and small, independent ones. A few of November’s new contenders to the throne include electric Seattle duo Year of the Cobra, Stockholm heavyweights Domkraft, and Brooklyn instrumental doomers Clouds Taste Satanic. We hope you discover your next obsession in the list that follows.

Stoner HiVe's Top 5 Artists listened to last week

Stoner HiVe's

Top 5 Artists listened to last week:

We Hunt Buffalo (77)

The Well (23)

It Was The Elf (23)

Leonard Cohen (21)

Moon Coven (20)

donderdag 10 november 2016

Poste 942 – Extended Play 2

Self released – 2016

Rock, Hard, Grunge, Blues, Stoner

Rated: ****

Two years ago we were pleasantly surprised by the rough, gritty and punky spirit that was ever prevalent on the first EP by French rock force Poste 942. It had that work man’s attitude, one that could speak to the man on the dirty streets and to those that roam the countryside. The free spirits and the wild ones alike. Well, the guys from Poste 942 are back with a second EP, simply called Extended Play 2. This time around the punk has been turned down a bit and the bluesy hardrock, grunge and nineties alternative has been pushed up. Especially on that second track Devil’s Complaint that reminds of the golden era when we were all rocking out to Alice In Chains. The opening track reminded the most of their earlier EP and then they save the biggest groove, the biggest riffs for last. Finishing their three track EP with Opium For The Masses, a track that immediately pounds its way into your heart thanks to the massive drums and spirited spitted vocals. Yes, don’t mess with Poste 942! Pledge your allegiance, buy them a beer and rock out to their outlaw grunge!

(Written by JK)

Dead Otter – Pathfinder

Self released – 2016

Rock, Psych, Jam, Stoner, Space

Rated: ***

The 100% otter friendly psychedelic jam outfit from Glasgow called Dead Otter released their first EP a few weeks ago. Called Pathfinder, the EP sports four heavy psychedelic jam tracks that move into space in a lot of ways but still has a worldly atmosphere as well. It is a damn well veritable riff explosion and guitar painting of almost day-go colors. Featuring Omar Aborida from The Cosmic Dead and Scott Falconer from Skeleton Gong the band definitely has an out-there feel to everything they do on their first release. Although that first track Stoner Devil still touches ground and leaves room for seventies style exploration, they soon move into even more experimental or hazier territory. It is not as toothy as one might expect from an otter but it is definitely as furry and as animalistic. The beast can jam even in its current state… We would love to hear more!

(Written by JK)