Mushroom Beard – Mushroom Beard

 

Mushroom Beard – Mushroom Beard
Pale Wizard Records – 2026
Metal, Stoner, Sludge, Psych
Rated: ****

The three from Stoke on Trent called Mushroom Beard will be releasing their self-titled debut album through Pale Wizard Records. TODAY! And if you know anything about Pale Wizard Records you know these crazies deal solely in good stuff; nothing but the good and heavy stuff! And not just because it’s the boys from Sergeant Thunderhoof behind the label. All the other bands and projects released, featured or promoted are wild rides one and all! And guess what… Mushroom Beard is another one of those amazing releases! 

The six-track Mushroom Beard concept album takes us into a world of ancient magic, psychedelic sounds and monstrous riffs. Blending doom, progressive rock and psychedelia, the band have created a record that's as much about atmosphere as it is about sheer heaviness. A spoken-word introduction, accompanied by classical instrumentation, sets the scene before the opening track, March Of The Shroom Elephant, kicks in with its slow, thunderous riffs and powerful groove. A fitting introduction to the band's sound!

Elden Beard follows, and at almost eleven minutes, it's a magnificent slab of progressive heaviness. Brooding basslines, hypnotic melodies and riffs that could fell an ancient oak make this one a real highlight. The band take their time developing the track, shifting between moods and musical passages without ever losing their grip.

Things take a darker turn with Bringer. Ominous organ sounds creep into the mix, adding an eerie dimension to the already crushing riffs. Next up is Speech Of The Leaf And Beard, featuring none other than Sergeant Thunderhoof vocalist Dan Flitcroft. His distinctive voice fits perfectly into this psychedelic and heavy celebration of nature's hidden language. A very welcome contribution indeed!

With Fungal Haze, we venture further into Mushroom Beard's psychedelic territory. Gloriously fuzzy guitars meet eerie atmospheric passages, while the heavier sections keep things firmly rooted in doom. The instrumental closer, Khala-Sai, takes a more spacious approach, gradually building layers of guitar, bass and drums towards a powerful, almost cosmic finale. A fitting conclusion that leaves you wanting more.

With their self-titled debut, Mushroom Beard deliver an enjoyable combination of psychedelic rock, progressive arrangements and heavy doom. There's plenty of variation across the six tracks, but the album maintains a clear identity throughout. The band clearly enjoy exploring different moods and musical ideas, but never forget the importance of a good, heavy riff.

Pale Wizard Records have another interesting and awesome release on their hands, and Mushroom Beard make a very promising entrance. Yes, the Shroom Elephant has only just started marching, and I'm certainly curious to hear where it goes next!

(Written by JK)

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