donderdag 30 september 2021

Dirt Eater - Broke Down

 

 

Dirt Eater - Broke Down
Self-released - 2021
Sludge, noise, post-punk, post- hardcore, stoner
Rated: ****

From my own swampy backyard, DC/Virginia sludgy noise rockers Dirt Eater have returned with their newest EP "Broke Down", and it's their heaviest yet. The trio's post-punk leanings and staccato rhythms are still well intact, but the low end is now even meatier, and there's a sludge heft to their pounding, enraged anthems. The opening title track starts things off with a driving Kyuss groove, and the grinding bass  soon joins with sparse, barked vocals to give the proceedings a raw and punky edge. The drums are tight and snappy, switching between swift rat-a-tats and thundering stomps with ease. Follow-up "Lament" dirties up the sound up even more, however, with gravelly bass pushing forward over an unrelenting kraut rock beat. The brakes are slightly pumped as a wall of distortion busts in to slow things down, and the call and response vocals become increasingly rough, creating a harsh and pummeling atmosphere. Dirt Eater's furious energy and forward thrust never let up on the remaining two tracks either, whether transitioning from the doomy opening crawl of "Notify" or the earworm, keening guitar in genre-hopping final cut "The One That Got Away". Eastern guitar melodies contrast with unhinged Primus-style bass to close out the EP, and Dirt Eater stand victorious. This is a band breaking molds and putting a fresh spin on heavy rock, melding sludge, stoner, post-punk, and more into a totally unique and furious sound.


(Written by Shasta Beast)


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High Desert Queen – Secrets Of The Black Moon

 

 

High Desert Queen – Secrets Of The Black Moon
Ripple Music – 2021
Rock, Stoner, Desert, Hard, Grunge, Metal, Doom
Rated: ****

Another debut album you say? And why the hell not! Cause we’ve been amazed by so many debuts this year and the past month in particular. Why not pile it on! Pile it on I say! And guess what, Secrets Of The Black Moon, the full-sized debut by Austin Texas foursome High Desert Queen will definitely convince the hell out of you as well. Or perhaps even more! It is an eight track ride through the desert landscape, but with some hardrock rumblings, some grunge grinding and a bit of doom heaviness. Presented as a riff-heavy deluge, almost all the rockers on this record do the heavy trucking thing, speeding and moving fast, giving you an almighty groove to nod to and the perfect amount of solo’s to pretend to play along with. The bass rattles along and drummer Phil Hooks briskly pounds every track to it’s natural high. Impressive!  On Secrets Of The Black Moon we hear a very confident and promising High Desert Queen delivering their take on that hard rocking primal force we all love so dearly. And they do it so freaking well!


(Written by JK)


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woensdag 29 september 2021

Agusa - En Annan Värld

 

 

Agusa - En Annan Värld
Self released / Motljud / Kommun2 - 2021
Progressive Rock
Rated: *****

The Swedish legacy of outstanding Progressive Rock bands sees no sign of abating. Fresh on the scene are Agusa, an outfit from Malmö who breathe new life into the vintage, Hammond-driven sound of the Seventies. Two epic tracks highlight the breadth of musicianship and innovation here: Opener "Sagobrus"  oozes into life on a melodic Organ/Flute combination, before the percussion kicks in, easy jazz style, slow and melancholic. As the journey unfolds, it explodes into life - Soaring, rippling guitars fired over a hotbed of bass and percussion, the Hammond glueing the whole thing together. Symphonic and strident to the last notes. Track two "Uppenbarelser" breathes in quietly on subdued guitar picking and droned atmospheres. The Hammond then takes over the lead: shimmering like a heat wave over the desert sand, echoing interplay with Flute in an almost Eastern, hypnotic way, evolving into a strange amalgamation of lead guitar, percussion and Jew's Harp, then a bassline organ snakes in, changing the feel and the intensity. The Scandinavian penchant for melody is imprinted on both of these excellent tracks, evoking memories of Janus, Anglagard, Opeth and Tabula Rasa respectively. Agusa creates intricate, epic and full-flowing dynamism, top-notch musicianship and complete flair for the genre. Any fan of Progressive Rock will fail to find fault. Outstanding!


(Written by Reek of STOOM)


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Vetrar Draugurinn – The Night Sky

 

 

Vetrar Draugurinn – The Night Sky
Self released – 2021
Metal, Doom, Gothic
Rated: ***

After the debut EP I (One) in 2017, the debut full-sized Hinterlands arrived in 2019 and now we’re treated to the follow-up The Night Sky by Dutch five-piece formation Vetrar Draugurinn. It is apparently an Icelandic name for The Winter Ghosts and seems to fit the five pretty well. For on the new album The Night Sky we are treated to eight tracks that envelop you with a cold atmosphere and an icy fog. Desolate, dark and weary, the sound takes on the cloak of doom just as much as the gothic robe. Which seems logical when one knows that guitarist Eric Hazebroek formerly from Streams Of Passion founded this project and brought in Autumn vocalist Marjan Welman, who you might also know from awesome Ayreon releases, to be the voice for the ghosts. Heavy and intensely grim one moment or much longer and light reflectingly fragile the next. Slow moving like a mountain of ice; the melancholy will slowly topple you over and then The Night Sky will swallow you whole…


(Written by JK)


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zondag 26 september 2021

The Waterfall King – Vol. I

 

 

The Waterfall King – Vol. I
Self released – 2021
Rock, Metal, Doom, Alternative, Grunge
Rated: *****

Looking for an engulfing dose of a pure sonic doom metal waterfall? Look no further. Check out the debut release Vol.I by Chicago trio The Waterfall King. Torpid torrents of doom tempo’s and sluggish riffs will drag you along to the edge of a huge cliff, pushing you over and letting you drown amidst an fathomless array of furious chords and ferocious drum work. Eight tracks and over an hour long, the album contains this booming sound, perfectly displayed by second track Crystal. A boom that comes in waves and borrows as much from the alternative and grungy nineties as it does from classic doom metal. There’s this feeling of dread and threat about and it gives every track a truly exciting ambiance. It makes you anxious, for more, for continuation, for those few moments of glittering splashes of light, when the sun hits those floating drops of water above the river. And they will come, not in the form of the incredibly forlorn, waterfall of noise and doomy third track Vessel or the very fitting fourth Nirvana-cover Something In The Way; but it will come and it will blow your mind. The entire fifth track Heavy Rain for instance, which starts out just as dark and languorous, slowly moving from alternative into stoner metal territory, using progressive elements, psychedelic touches and emotive vocals to conjure up a majestic atmosphere. Vol.I, another debut that will ring high once those year end lists start rolling in. And hey, I guess we could have known, cause it’s The Waterfall King!


(Written by JK)


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Hawkwind – Somnia

 

 

Hawkwind – Somnia
Cherry Red Records – 2021
Rock, Space, Kraut, Psych
Rated: ****

Don’t sleep on this record! Cause it’s one that will rank among the best Hawkwind has delivered throughout the ages. Ages indeed, I don’t know if everyone realizes that the man behind the wheel of this universe crossing, mind expanding, travel music delivering battle ship has already turned eighty. Maestro Dave Brock will not take it easy or give in to old age though and we are lucky for it. Cause more than fifty years after the foundation of Hawkwind and more than thirty Hawkwind related albums later, Somnia, their thirty-fourth, is hypnotizingly good once again. Centered around the theme of Sleep and all that it might mean to everyone around the globe, the thirteen tracks will take you on a grand adventure. Starting with opening, ten minute long, Unsomnia, the album immediately shows its colors. Space rock, with kraut elements, worldly and otherworldly elements, here to take you on a huge trip. Which will be soaring high and intense, when the almost frantic and feverish rocking Strange Encounters follows it, dispelling all ideas that it will only be a melodic and gentle album to slowly slip away into a dreamstate too. No, Somnia will show you every mesmerizing side of Hawkwind available. Thank you, good Sir Brock for keeping theHawkwind ship going…    


(Written by JK)


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Scattered Hamlet - Stereo Overthrow

 

Scattered Hamlet - Stereo Overthrow 

First single and video Stereo Overthrow for their upcoming album by the same name from the American quartet Scattered Hamlet. Hardrocking, good ol boys! Southern, speedy and full of fire! These boys are gonna be huge! If they would only do something about their appearance… 

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zaterdag 25 september 2021

Kadabra – Ultra

  

Kadabra – Ultra
Heavy Psych Sounds – 2021
Rock, Hard, Seventies, Proto, Doom, Psych, Fuzz, Stoner
Rated: *****

Kadabra hails from Spokane, Washington and is considered to be the new band on the block. Already signed to the incredible Heavy Psych Sounds, the debut album Ultra was released a big week ago and it’s one of the albums that have been on heavy rotation over here when the past hellish months of all work and no play were here. It’s one of the albums that pulled me through on those long nights of work, already dreading the early morning to come. For the glorious fuzz presented by the Kadabra three is classic in every sense of the word. It is that seventies approach, that proto attitude to doom that will immediately heat you up and warm your blood. Soon enough the sound becomes this slow burning soul igniter, this repeat and hypnotize form of heavy psychedelics that will immediately conjure up certain images. But, this time around, we’re not performing rituals on sacrificial slabs, no, cause the excellent vocals and lyrics takes us in a different direction and one that is much welcomed. With no resume or socials to speak off, Heavy Psych Sounds took a chance purely on the demo’s they heard. Which is only logical when you hear Ultra. Kadabra’s debut is one of the best debuts of the year and one of the best albums period. Welcome to the heavy fold Kadabra!


(Written by JK)


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Amyl and The Sniffers – Comfort To Me

 

 

Amyl and The Sniffers – Comfort To Me
Konkurrent / Rough Trade – 2021
Rock, Punk
Rated: ****

Mullets are back! Especially down south, judging from certain Australian bands sporting the hairdo! And so is punk! Punk the old fashioned way! We already fell in love with Amyl and The Sniffers when they were still learning how to hold their instruments but decided to release their debut anyway. Half a decade later we are treated to Comfort To Me, where they sound accomplished, harder, slicker and less ramshackle. Indeed, they sound like they years of playing their instruments and with each other has lead to them understanding both elements. Like a well oiled machine the four come across as an highly electric outfit set to burn at both ends, cause it’s still furious, frayed and fearsome. It’s just that the quality of playing, the effortless way they mix choppy hooks, filthy rhytms with catchy punk and actual ingenuity is astonishing. Classy, well… A little bit classy… But still a bit of rat as well…


(Written by JK)


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Polderriffs - Volume II

 

Polderriffs - Volume II

We've been honored to write the small blurb for the Wheel Of Smoke track Hallucinations of the awesome Polderriffs Volume II record by the equally awesome Polderrecords... And hey, there's more... Cause Shasta Beast and Reek of STOOM wrote one as well! Three times the HiVe cozying up to Bucky, Martin and Marc-Eric... We're truly honored!

 

Polderrecords

 Wheel of Smoke

 

vrijdag 24 september 2021

Duel – In Carne Persona

 

 

Duel – In Carne Persona
Heavy Psych Sounds – 2021
Rock, Hard, Stoner, Garage, Metal, Doom
Rated: *****

During the past hellish months, where there was little time for poor old me to play outside, we’ve been lucky enough to have the new Duel album In Carne Persona on repeat. We’ve been anxiously awaiting this one, cause the one that came before called Valley Of Shadows was stunning and reached the Number 5 spot of the Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown of 2019 thanks to all you crazies that voted for it. Well, the Duel four are back and deliver their majestic super heavy tripped out old school stoner metal straight out of Austin, Texas once again. In Carne Persona features nine tracks that brings all that you have come to adore from Duel, but with even more seventies bravado and proggy swagger. Classic hardrock, early metal and something that sweeps up the ashes of what once was doomy and stonerish. But above all we hear seventies rock and everything proto in all its glory. So, yes, every old school metal head, hard rocking fiend and crazy seventies tambourine man will love the shit out of In Carne Persona. Duel seems to be able to do no wrong and everything right!  


(Written by JK)


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Splinter – Filthy Pleasures

 

 

Splinter – Filthy Pleasures
Robotor Records – 2021
Rock, Garage, Stoner, Punk
Rated: ****

When we learned that the new outfit comprised out of members from Death Alley, Vanderbuyst and Birth Of Joy would be here to stay and were about to release their full-sized debut, we did a little dirty dance and jumped so high we bumped our head on the ceiling. They’re called Splinter, the album is called Filthy Pleasures and it’s one king hell garage rocking, stoner punking, maddening rock’n roll ride! Opening track Robot Hell is an easy going, yet smash ‘n grab attack on the senses, it will ignite your soul and get you ready for everything else that follows. Cause the garage, stoner and punk will morph into melodic hardrock with progressive touches and a seventies flourish as easy as it turns into an all out all night burner. That Hammond, that sweet sounding, heavy pounced Hammond, how it turns all that choppy and hooky hardrock noise into smooth curved jamboree! Cause even though will surely be moving smoothly to all of this whenever you spin the record, you will be sure to go nuts and possibly even insane when you catch them live! Just like the filthy Splinter four themselves!   


(Written by JK)


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The End of The Tunnel

 

 

The End of The Tunnel

We’ve finally glimpsed that famous light at the end of the tunnel. The hellish amount of rent-paying work is behind us. What lies ahead, is just the normal amount of annoying crap we need to deal with. But, there will finally be some more time available for the HiVe and the Doom Charts. So, even though we’ve been listening a whole lot of great stuff, we will now finally be able to jot down a few silly sentences about what’ve been digging a whole freaking lot! Hopefully we will be able to deal with quick a bunch before September end… And otherwise, there’s always October! Keep rockin! And be sure to check out all those records mentioned here and elsewhere by all the crazies promoting this thing we all love! Cause there’s so much good and heavy stuff out there!


vrijdag 17 september 2021

Lucifer's Fall - III - From The Deep

 

 

Lucifer's Fall - III - From The Deep
Self-released - August 2021
Doom, Heavy Metal, Traditional
Rated: *****

Riding forth from outer hells unknown are Adelaide, Australia's Lucifer's Fall and their third full length, III - From The Deep. The five piece deal in raw, unabashed trad doom and heavy metal, spinning tales of unholy ancient gods atop crunching gallops and piercing guitar leads. Drums like rolling thunder announce the band's arrival with opener "Trident Steel", grinding out pitch-perfect classic doomy riffs with just the right amount of dirt in the tone. Overtop the downtuned assault snarls the main weapon in their arsenal, singer "Deceiver" and his growling, theatric delivery. The fine line between drama and cheese is expertly toed, and every tune's lyrics are a captivating narration of nautical horrors. The epic "The Cave" is a particularly outstanding showcase, as mournful guitars eke out gothic doom to soundtrack an ancient Lovecraftian horror's rise from the ocean depths. The highlight of the tale, however, is the totally committed delivery of the line "octopedal copulation". Against all reason, Deceiver somehow sells that phrase without skipping a beat, a mic drop if there ever was one. Follow-up "Man Of God" takes a less mythical track and instead delivers a ruthless send-up of religion, spitting blasphemies between the lumbering first half and furious war march of the second's galloping guitar and relentless drums. Each of the album's remaining four tracks are just as evocative and crushing, from the Motörhead attack of the aptly named "Doom 'n' Roll" to the epic and dramatic scope of ten-minute closer "From The Deep". Lucifer's Fall are here to lay down their hellish sermons with eldritch fire and brimstone, and theirs is a righteously doomed congregation.


(Written by Shasta Beast)


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maandag 13 september 2021

Stoner HiVe’s Top 10 Most Listened Albums Last Week…


 
Stoner HiVe’s 

Top 10 Most Listened Albums Last Week…


Taxi Caveman
Black Light Animals
Witchcryer
Low Flying Hawks
Amyl and The Sniffers
Gloop
Delco Detention
Miscellen
Sleep Moscow
Stone Cadaver


We've got one more week of absolute horror to go... After which we hope there will be more time to HiVe and to spread the good word about all that amazing music being released each week! But, as of the 22nd things should slow down enough to be able to get to work! HiVe work! That shit we love to do! But in the mean time we still at least got all that music to keep us going! So, check'm out! Check'm all out! 



woensdag 8 september 2021

Wolves in Haze - Chaos Reigns

 

 

Wolves in Haze - Chaos Reigns
Majestic Mountain Records / Tvåtakt Records – 2021
Sludge, doom, thrash
Rated: *****

Wolves in Haze's second album, Chaos Reigns, is a thrashy, sludge drenched bat out of hell. These Swedes deal in no holds barred, pedal to the metal aggression, like some unholy death metal-tinged Motörhead. The distortion is gnarly and grinding, the vocals soar between clean and hellish, and the drums are weapons of mass destruction in their furious attack. First cut "Green River" gives a taste of what's to come, with a demon-voiced intro launching into harsh, trad doom grooves hiding a thrash edge with paint peeling guitar tones. The kitwork is pummeling and sharp as hell, and a flashy high-speed solo seals the deal. With all this fury, Wolves in Haze still show off songwriting chops and a talent for catchy hooks, case in point "Tormentor". The singing drives the pounding groove, and the death-doom breaks give way to a howling chorus that'll worm through the ears straight into your lizard brain. Out of left field, however, comes "My Destroyer", a subdued acoustic ballad with bright keys and a patient, dark beauty that nicely breaks up the albums's sonic assault. There's no weak track across Chaos Reigns, but extra praise should be lauded on "Into the Grave". The wild, twisting riff being joined by big-band swinging drums is one of my favorite audio experiences of 2021 so far. With Chaos Reigns, Wolves in Haze haven't so much landed in the scene as busted down the doors and set fire to the place. A top contender for album of the year.


(Written by Shasta Beast)


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Green Lung – Black Harvest

 

 

Green Lung – Black Harvest
Svart Records – 2021
Rock, Classic, Doom, Stoner, Psych, Metal, Occult
Rated: *****

We often get our promo releases earlier then the release date. Sometimes even way before the release date. Like for instance the awesome Odyssey album by Vokonis. And some of the Doom Chart Contributors already had the new Green Lung album and a handful of those forgot that the release date wasn’t till October, so again, some voted for the album already. And there it is, glorious on Number 10 spot of the August Doom Charts. But you can bet your ass that everybody else will be voting for it next month, when the release date is closer and everybody has been grooving like crazy to the new Black Harvest album… Cause, when their highly intoxicating Woodland Rites album rose to the top of the ranks two years ago, I was still fairly new to Green Lung. Not everyone had been so lucky as to hear the earlier Free The Witch EP or their demo you see. The growth already displayed there held so much promise for the future. And that future, is here now. Black Harvest is darker, heavier, doomier and even more accomplished. There doesn’t seem to be one note, one sound or one idea out of place and that makes Black Harvest the best follow-up they could have made. And hell, one of the best albums of 2021 for certain…


(Written by JK)


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maandag 6 september 2021

Delco Detention – It Came From The Basement

 

 

Delco Detention – It Came From The Basement
Self released – 2021
Rock, Hard, Stoner, Blues
Rated: ****

Flashback. So there I am, around nine, perhaps ten, years old. Driving my parents mad because the computer is downstairs and I’m playing this new game where I’m stuck outside this mansion and do not know how to get in there. My parents are going nuts, because of the constant 8 bit chirping of the computer crickets. The following day I’ve been banned for a week from using the Commodore64. So, instead I play with toy soldiers and this Lego train set I remodeled into a haunted house. Or perhaps I went out and played soccer with my buddies from down the street, rang doorbells and quickly ran away or looked for a way to get my hands on an ice cream or two. Any of that is definitely possible. What I sure as hell did not do was ask my musical heroes if they would like to jam with me and my dad. But, hence the long winded intro, that is exactly what Tyler Pomerantz did. The little man is nine years old and starts writing these kick ass songs in his basement together with his dad Adam. They do some covers as well and one of the Clutch covers got the attention of Neil Fallon who reached out and said, why don’t I add my vocals to one of the covers…

Sure, that happens, but Tyler then goes out and just asks, Neil Fallon, from Clutch, if he can sing one of his own material. He agreed, with some hesitation, and The Joy Of Homeschooling turns out so freaking cool, you just cannot imagine. Tyler plays guitar like an old hand, leaving his sound hanging, his riffs rounded out and hands you this sweet small solo with a mic drop kind of attitude. O’ and then he also picks up the bass and gives you a mean bass line and wicked loop! And one must confess, those lyrics and vocal lines Neil throws across it are sheer perfection and give it this gritty mean ass edge.

Well, that was the first kill and after that, for eight months straight Tyler and his dad go about recording fifteen tracks, with the aid of all these tool cool for school cats from bands like Mississippi Bones, She Love Pablo, Earthless, Hippie Death Cult, Fu Manchu, Lionize, The Age Of Truth, Thunderbird Divine, King Snake, The Mike Dillon Band and Blind Melon. The result is one freaking good hard rocking album steeped in the blues and born from stonerrock. Hearing that guitar, riff, wail and screech; you would not believe the little man is only nine and he has only been playing for a year or two. There’s feeling there, there’s heart, soul and pure love for the strings. And hey, the Dad can sure hit his skins as well; now if only the cat and dog could also play instruments they would have a full band right there, down in the basement. The two are called Delco Detention and the album is wickedly titled: It Came From The Basement.

 We could single out more favorites on the album, like Dirt School with Eddie Brnabic and Ben Jackon from Hippie Death Cult or From The Shadows with these cats named Mike Descoteaux and Bob Mavity, 422 with Kevin McNamara from The Age Of Truth and both Werewolvery tracks with Jared Collins of Mississippi Bones… But to be honest, they’re all fucking cool! Chaos, destruction, rock’n roll! It Came From The Basement!


(Written by JK)


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Monobrow - A Decorative Piece Of Time

 

 

Monobrow - A Decorative Piece Of Time
Trill or Be Trilled Records – 2021
Instrumental, Stoner, Prog, Psych, Doom, Metal
Rated: ****

We’ve been mentioning Monobrow since their first release and think we have mentioned all of their releases so far. Their self-titled album from 2010 even made it to the Number 8 spot of the Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown of that year thanks to all you cats that voted for it. Bennington Triangle Blues from 2012 is still every bit as awesome as the day it was released and the same can be said about Big Sky – Black Horse from 2014. And let’s not forget about The Nacarat released in 2017, such a kick ass record! Well, the August Doom Charts arrived and guess what… They’re back, they’ve brought trumpets and are even heavier than before! It’s the Canadian three from Monobrow! And their fifth full-sized album A Decorative Piece Of Time. The instrumental trio has always had a keen ear on everything spacious, stoner and psychedelic when it comes to all out heavy trucking, chugging and riffing. But slowly, over the space of all their releases things became darker, doomier and definitely more dangerous. There’s an edge out there; and these cats know exactly what kind of music is playing…


(Written by JK)

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Stoner HiVe’s Top 10 Most Listened Albums Last Week…

 

 

Stoner HiVe’s 

Top 10 Most Listened Albums Last Week…

 Delco Detention
Halfaya
The Devils
Krachwerke
Planet of The 8’s
Stone Cadaver
A Pale Horse Named Death
Comet Control
Hooded Menace
Kal-El

vrijdag 3 september 2021

Sons Of Alpha Centauri – Push

 

 

Sons Of Alpha Centauri – Push
Exile on Mainstream Records – 2021
Stoner, Desert Rock
Rated: *****

Fresh from their sojourn and subsequent success with Yawning Sons, Nick Toone's Sons Of Alpha Centauri hit the High Desert for a grueling, punishing heatwave of hot licks, mirages and scorpions a-plenty. Delivered with a snarl and as potent as a Mamba on Mamba! Opener "Get the Guns" steamrolls in on dark waves of fuzz, oozing into a chugging Desert riff, clean vocals almost laconically delivered. "Listen" keeps the energy high, albeit with a slow backbeat: throbbing bass underpinning a screech of fueled riffs and breaks. Angular guitars herald "The Enemy" into a potent sunburst of power chords at the chorus which seethes and broods to conclusion. Title track "Push" carries weighty bass rumbles and a threatening riff, chastened by a plaintive vocal exasperation, energetic and forceful. "Buried Under" evokes 90's Grunge; snaking basslines and sludged riffage reminiscent of Kyuss. "Boys & Girls" is another mid-paced chugfest: strong and strident with it's stuttering cadence and uplifting choruses. More angular guitars melt into a mellow, evocative start before the catchy chorus and melodic riffs take over. Retaining the Grunge feel, "Dark Night" is again driven by a desert fuzz and more catchy hooks and head-nodding beats. Closer, "own" slithers into life with funeral-style percussion and lone, soaring guitar licks, melancholic and wistful throughout. SOAC have delivered a very potent and highly lucid offering of well-crafted and memorable songs and further cements their sound and momentum. A prize specimen of UK Stoner Rock.


(Written by Reek of STOOM)


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Halfaya – Blunderblues

 

 

Halfaya – Blunderblues
Self released – 2021
Stoner Metal, Stonercore
Rated: ****

The August Doom Charts are out! And featured proudly at Number 11 is Halfaya and their Blunderblues release. They identify themselves as an outfit that produces ‘stonercore’… And man, does that fit the bill and then some. And then some wild ruckus, and then some savage noise and then some beastly riot! We’ve been spinning their new release Blunderblues ever since it came our way and it’s a smash ‘n grab kind of deal from the first track on. The track is called TxOxLxA and starts with a majestically tension building ever growing guitar line that slows down and then speeds up till you go: “YAAAAAAAAH!!!” And there’s eight tracks of this ferocious power stoner loveliness. There’s also blues there alright; but blues to raw, gritty and wild it almost succumbs to all the ‘core’ and ‘doom’ elements. It will rev you up and blow out all cylinders! Man, the Argentinian four from Halfaya know the deal and know how to give it to you!  


(Written by JK)


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donderdag 2 september 2021

The Doom Chart for August 2021

 

 

Doom Charts


    “When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.”  ~ Nelson Mandela

It feels like the end of an era. And it actually is. Cause Bucky is leaving us. No, don’t get me wrong, he’s not ill, sick or dying. The man is just leaving the Doom Charts and the online world. Which will be a big miss for us heavy rock loving fiends. The man has been an ever present presence in the heavy music community for years. And he was one of the cats that was with the Doom Charts from the beginning and when the time came that the ever growing group of contributors needed to be lead and guided, he naturally grew into that role.

Every month we would send him our votes. He’d whip us into action and make sure we delivered votes and blurbs on time. He was there to keep in touch with all the record companies, the PR-firms, the bands and our faithful readers. Juggling all that; on top of everything else that life throws at ya, family, work, moving across country, is one hell of a job. And he did a hell of a job and more! I’ve marveled constantly at his omnipresence. He was articulate, knew his stuff and responded to every question that got asked… He was a gentleman and one you could always ask for advice… Even when it wasn’t about music… He will be missed. Not just because of all the work he did, but because he is one of the good people… And you know… Good people listen to good music…

Bucky Brown, go do your thing, be good to the people around you and keep spinning all that majestic vinyl… Perhaps some of us will meet you one day at a live show going berserk or digging through some crates in a dubious record store in a rundown part of town… And remember… Should you ever need us… For any reason at all… We will be here… ~ Joop Konraad

Yep, Joop is correct and I am in tears over here as I head off into the outlaw sunset. Thanks Joop for the kind words, and thank you to everyone who has contributed, followed, shared and participated in the Doom Charts throughout the years. YOU are the heart and soul of the Doom Charts. You’re all in good hands and the Doom Charts remains alive and well, except for on April Fools day 😉..  But hey, enough about me, the meat and potatoes lurk below with all the bells and whistles. 24 of 25 brand new albums entering the charts this month of 216 unique albums voted on. As the Stoner Rock Army General says, 'Rock On'! ~ Bucky

Personal votes went out to: Stone Cadaver, Van Groover, Monobrow, Halfaya, Green Lung, Suncraft and Terminus! But I could and should have voted for all those others as well! Man; what a month! Stunning! We’ll be listening to all those albums in a row in the next few days… Starting as usual with the Acid Magus album Wyrd Syster… Check’m out! Check’m all out!

Welcome to Doom Charts, representing some of the finest bloggers, journalists, radio, podcasters and album reviewers from the heavy underground around the globe.  Each month, our critics submit their picks for the best new doom, sludge metal, stoner-psychedelic and heavy rock albums.  The results are compiled and tabulated into the chart below.  This is a one-stop shop for the best new albums in the world…