Off to Spain…
We’re off… Off grid for a couple of weeks. Hiking the Mountains of Picos de Europa and surfing the waves of the Bay of Biscay. Taking those forty albums of the May Doom Charts with us, and many more… No updates on the little old blog or on Facebook… But there might be a very occasional post on Instagram. Should you follow the HiVe there… Probably of a mountain or a wave… Or a beer kept cool by the world famous Psychlona koozie…
Dos cervezas por favor!
Doom Charts
“The DOOM is strong with this one...”
~ Darth Vader (probably misheard quote from A New Hope)
We’re almost at the halfway mark of 2024, and the onslaught of quality heavy music shows no signs of stopping. Mark your lists, tally your year-end contenders, rack and re-rack your abacus, because May is yet another bountiful month of doom, stoner, sludge, psych, prog, you name it. Doom or do not, there is no try.
Well. I'm almost off for a three week off grid holiday... And Kyle took and takes over Doom Chart duties. He's a good boy! And delivers great work once again, just like he did for Doom Charts of March. It's been an amazing month once again. With so many great release. It keeps me in constant awe, the quality and the quantity. Browse the list to see them forty that rose to the top of a total of 199 albums that received votes. Of the ones that made it, I voted for: Drive By Wire, Geezer, Isaak, Djiin, Sautrus, Nine Moons, Spaceslug, Maragda, High Noon Kahuna, Young Acid, Daily Thompson, Mooch, Vitskär Süden, Kayleth, The Hazytones, Huanastone, Baardvader, Ufomammut, Pallbearer, Gjenferd, Abrams, High Desert Queen & Black Pyramid... But as usual, I could have and probably should have voted for all the others as well.. Two others that were on my list that I would have loved to have seen mentioned: CostaSol & Tricklebolt... Check those out as well! But first, run down all forty of the May 2024 Doom Charts!
Welcome to Doom Charts,
representing some of the finest bloggers, journalists, radio,
podcasters and 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…
Huanastone - Son Of Juno
Self-released – 2024
Stoner Rock, Grunge, Alternative, Nineties, Blues
Rated: ****
It seems to come in waves. The influences that rise up through the Heavy Underground that were always there to begin with but get more attention at one point in time. Making albums drift more towards the progressive side of things, the psychedelic stomping grounds, the early proto days or start of it all, the blues… The Huanastone four hail from Malmö, Sweden and seems to show us on Son Of Juno that the blues was and always will be the main undercurrent for the Heavy Underground. Grunge, Stoner Rock and everything else the Alternative Nineties gave us, had that coursing through its veins. But on Son Of Juno, they take those genres and inject it with even more blues. Turning it almost viscose. And even though they are mainlining their stoner and grunge sound on the blues of yore, those minor swirling Psychedelic touches and wavey Desert Rock vibes make Son Of Juno that album you need to hear. They start off intensely grunge and alternative nineties, evoking the spirit of Alice In Chains and Soundgarden and turning it into something completely their own. Opening track … And Then Came The Sun opens with these dragging guitar lines, that dissipate and give room to the vocals to exhale, to breathe life into the song, to give extra meaning to the lyrics, to the turning of the page, to the sun finally arriving. Intention articulated to perfection. Following title track Son Of Juno, boasts much of the same and at the same time offers it in tenfold. And once you get to that forlorn sounding guitar in the middle, Son Of Juno is swinging deep inside every one of your pores. That guitar is so beautifully done and time and place will be immediately out of focus, you are there with them, feeling the blues on whatever imaginary landscape they inhabited while crafting it. Four more song follow, that let the blues creep in more and more. And then there’s absolute smashing instrumental end song Red Dunes, that has guitar lines climbing mountains, braving thunderstorms and hitting like lightning over and over. And Huanastone managed to capture all those flashes and bottled it up…
(Written by JK)
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Redwood – Dry Rivers
Self-released – 2024
Rock, Stoner, Psych, Cosmic
Rated: ****
Sure, it is probably mostly in dept to the vocal effects used, but there is a hint of Psychlona here. And if you’ve read some stuff on Stoner HiVe before, you know we love Psychlona! And don’t think this means we are listening to Redwood solely on that merit. Hell no! The four track Dry Rivers EP uses those effects and made them special! The Redwood Special is twenty two minutes of lovely swirling stoner and circling cosmic rock! It’s a Sheafer McOmber special, for it is another of his outlets. A project like his Bloodshot Buffalo. But you might know the man from Deer Lord or way back when he was playing in an outfit called Civillian Assault. And if you’ve listened to any of those outfits the quality of this release will not come as a surprise. The doom touch used to rough up the edges, that psychedelic twirl to turn everything into a kaleidoscope and the stoner groove to turn it all into one gigantic and blissful wave. These Rivers ain’t dry at all, but filled with wonderful crashes and an endless current to surf…
(Written by JK)
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Deer Lord's Witches Brew/Psychedelic Roadkill
Ruff Majik – What A Time To Be A Knife
Sorry, we’re going to boast a bit now. We’ve been one of the lucky ones that have been living with this track for a month or two now. And we’ve also been one of the lucky ones to already have heard it live. O’ and let’s not forget… We’ve also been one of the lucky ones to drive them home, offer them a place to sleep and serve them breakfast and basically cater to their every need. And we’ve been happy to do it! Cause Ruff Majik has something special, it needs to be cherished, the boys need to be stroked and fondled with care so that it may grow! And flower into the mushroom cloud that wants to envelope everything! And yes, it needs to be heard by one and all! Just get a load of the new single: What A Time To Be A Knife! It’s the first single of the new Moth Eater album to arrive via Sound of Liberation Records somewhere around October. It will be the completion of the trilogy that started with The Devil’s Cattle and Elektrik Ram and it will be telling the tale of Ruff Majik on the road, the good fight against everything evil they’re in and about that explosive energy that courses through the veins of these good ol’ boys! Love it! And if you don’t, do as they state on their own post about the new single… “Skip to the last three second…”
Their own words:
"What A Time To Be A Knife is out now, everywhere music can usually be found. It’s angry - don’t say we didn’t warn you. Featuring some extra power from our homie Reegan du Buisson (Facing the Gallows). Mixed and mastered by Justin Bernardo. Written and recorded by all of us. Released via Sound of Liberation Records. To all our friends, families and supporters, we love you. To everyone else, skip to the last 3 seconds of the song …"
Way too many words with and about Ruff Majik
Review of Elektrik Ram
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Full Album Premiere
Void Commander – Alien Queen
Yes! This is awesome! So great to see so many of you, so great that all of you set your alarm so early and sit barely dressed behind the computer with your first coffee so you can listen to the new Void Commander album! It’s called Alien Queen and will be out tomorrow through Majestic Mountain Records and Interstellar Smoke Records. But you can hear it here, on Stoner HiVe a day early! And I totally understand all of you! It’s something you need to hear… And not just because you read that glowing review on Stoner HiVe two days ago. It’s because you know Void Commander, you know their rootsy vibe, their proto love, that blues that motors the soul. Diesel blues personified! You can read more of what we wrote by scrolling down or clicking HERE. But most of all, press play on the player below and start your day off properly! It’s Void Commander and Alien Queen is the fuel for the ride of your lifetime!
From the PR Wire:
Sweden’s history of top-notch stoner rock is a well known one, and the latest addition to the country’s legacy is trio Void Commander’s new album, “Alien Queen”. Their third album, the band dig ever deeper into their blues and classic rock sound, creating a hazy, cosmic journey that drifts and drawls just right. If Creedence Clearwater Revival time traveled to the future, got their hands on some extra fuzzy pedas, and lit up with All Them Witches, Void Commander would emerge from the smoke, harmonicas held high. From the throbbing low-end groove of “To The Grave” to the laidback, tasty southern blues of “Sweet Depression”, Void Commander navigate their breadth of sound on “Alien Queen” locked-in and wholly committed to the sonic world they’ve created. Retro yet pushing their craft ever further, the band have created an album that oozes an easy confidence and undeniable identity front to back. Void Commander arrive on their flying saucer from the past to plant their flag in the murky stoner of today. Their latest and final single, “Sweet Depression”, is out now, and the full album “Alien Queen” lands June 7.
IN THE BAND'S OWN WORDS:
“Inspired by the mystique of space travels intertwined with the enigmatic allure of witchcraft and occultism, Alien Queen is more than just an album; it's an expedition across the sonic universe, designed for those who dare to explore the edges of Stoner Metal and Hard Rock.
Dive into the cosmic depths with Void Commander as we unveil our latest creation, Alien Queen. This stellar journey is brought to you by the combined forces of Majestic Mountain Records and Interstellar Smoke Label, ensuring an otherworldly auditory experience.”
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Another Love For Loud shindig!
Go on holiday they said. It will be good for you they said. Right. And then it turns out we have to miss this lovely Love For Loud shindig! Grrrrr! But for those not having to relax, drink wine and errrr… You are the lucky one! You get to head over to De Tanker in Noord in Amsterdam and see The Klittens, Cervus, Atomic Vulture and Demonauta kick serious ass! That’s right and that’s a must see if you love anything loud! I’m thinking about canceling that whole vacation at this point…
And if you aren't able to rock out on Sunday... Like myself... They've got another wild night planned the day before! Which I won't be able to attend either... Hell! No other than Ruff Majik and Green Policy are taking the stage at Rock Club The Cave in Amsterdam! Love For Loud is on a roll!
Ruff Majik / Green Policy in The Cave Facebook Event
Demonauta / Cervus / Atomic Vulture / The Klittens Facebook Event
Love For Loud
The Cave Amsterdam
De Tanker in Noord Amsterdam
Love For Loud Go Fund Me
Follow us for more words about shows we can't go to because of some silly holiday or whatever...
Void Commander – Alien Queen
Majestic Mountain Records / Interstellar Smoke Records – 2024
Rock, Blues, Stoner, Doom, Seventies, Proto
Rated: ****
We were honored to premiere their fourth single Sweet Depression from the Alien Queen album to be released on June 7th. We’re talking about that wild and feverish Void Commander trio out of Karlskrona, Sweden. It will arrive through a duo of great labels, namely Majestic Mountain Records and Interstellar Smoke Records and sports no less than seven tracks and forty two minutes of great and classic rock. They’re celebrating their tenth year of existence and do so by trucking through as much of the roots of rock as they can possibly do. This is hardrock, diesel blues, stonerized and doom touched. This is that proto love, the seventies edge and everything classic you can think of. Opening track To The Grave starts out as gritty and as doom as they can before turning that blues corner. They do circle back to that doom once fourth track Bloodred Knight Alright rolls around. That stays in that doom circle, until it suddenly all bluesy and jazz, jams away from the dark and dances off into the distant light. And that’s where title track Alien Queen is waiting. Cause even though there is a doomy edge here, Alien Queen is allowed to head off into that proto direction. With a beautiful and soulful harmonica freak out, that curls into this wonderful little pocket to get lost in, right there in the middle of that track that could easily into a majestic jam during a live show. Which is definitely another word you can feel throughout the album, jam. And not just because the sixth track is called Jam In C. You often feel a lot of this record was born out of jam, without any edit, just re-recorded because it immediately felt good. And that’s where everything the Alien Queen record does goes, to that lovely feeling. There is no real darkness here or depression, it’s all framed by sweetness and something glowing. That ending guitar work on Jam In C, grooving on such a warm and intense ebb and flow, sliding over all your marrow and bone. The Night Took My Name ends the album in fine form, a perfect capture of one of those feelings you might have after one of those memorable nights, with vocals that will force you to surrender to the Void Commander sound. And after listening to all that, there might still be a bonus track, that might only be available on the vinyl soon to be released. And after listening to all that there are so many moments when you find it’s hard to believe that this trio does not have a Southern American city as birthplace listed in their passport. So much blues, so honest so pure. Sometimes Mississippi oriented, sometimes more Texas, mixed with so much spicy soulful rock and always unpolished, untamed, raw and jam adorned. It isn’t all blues and roots, but it is always there. And that simple fact makes Alien Queen an album that feels like already stood the test of time and will live on into legend…
And guess what… We’re honored to bring you that legend first with a FULL ALBUM PREMIERE on Thursday the 6th! That’s right, thanks to Good Boy PR, Majestic Mountain Records and Interstellar Smoke Records we will bring you the new Void Commander album Alien Queen this Thursday! So, set your alarm and get up early, cause we’ve got some diesel blues to guzzle!
(Written by JK)
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Deville – Dust
We dig Deville! And after that wild Heavy Lies The Crown album that came out on Sixteentimes Music back in 2022, we were giddy to receive this new single called Dust. Cause knowing Deville, it must mean a new record is on the horizon. And it is! It’s a collection of their work over the twenty years of existence. And it will include a cover version of the Nine Inch Nails song The Hand That Feeds. Check out Dust, it’s Deville at their finest!
PR Wire:
With two decades of heavy guitar riffs and thunderous drum beats, these rockers are ready to unleash a sonic storm like never before. Celebrating their 20 year anniversary, Deville put together 10 electrifying tracks that will take you on a journey through the bands work over time. With 8 handpicked gems from their albums and starting with the new single DUST, this record is a testament to their passion for pure, unadulterated heavy rock and metal. On this album, Deville is unleashing their first-ever cover song, a spine-tingling rendition of Nine Inch Nails „The Hand That Feeds“. Prepare to be blown away by their unique take on this legendary anthem. Join the celebration and crank up the volume as Deville invites you to experience 20 years of Rock n Roll relentlessness in one epic record. The jubilee album is simply called 20 YEARS and will be out as a limited tape release. 20 Years is out the 9th of August via Sixteentimes Music.
Tracklist:
Dust
The Hand That Feeds (Nine Inch Nail cover)
Lava
What Remains
Serpent Days
Deserter
Pigs With Gods
Gold Sealed Tomb
Wrecked
Rise Above
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Stoner HiVe’s
Top 10 Most Listened Artists Last Week…
Castle Rat
Vitskär Süden
Acid Row
Speck
Shadow Lizzards
Sacri Monti
Airbag
Thunder Horse
Ufomammut
April 1830
Morning! This should have gone up yesterday of course. But you know how it is coming back after a festival. Getting grounded again, takes a bit of time. Freak Valley 2024 was awesome and even though I wasn’t there in any working capacity, pure to party my ass off, I might jot down a few words anyway. And due to be out of bounce for the better part of the week last week, there was only that damn fine write up by Stevie Reek about the amazing new Djiin album Mirrors! Which you should be checking out immediately if you haven’t already… Just like the list above!
