Trippy Wicked and The Cosmic Children of The Knight – Going Home

Trippy Wicked & The Cosmic Children of The Knight – Going Home
Superhot Records – 2012
Rock, Stoner, Metal, Doom, Grunge
Rated: ****

Knebworth, home to some legendary gigs and festivals. But also home to a trio going by the insane moniker Trippy Wicked & The Cosmic Children of The Knight. Aah yes, we’re in for some wild times! It must even be crazier then that other band two of the members belong to: Stubb. That also shines through in the fact that the guys produced a concept album with music from all hard rocking affiliated genres. Instead of telling tales of death, demise and doom these guys do things differently and tell of a mad adventure: one weird and twisted night from the moment one decides to go home and actually getting home. After a recent interview with Bob Mould it immediately made me think of the Hüsker Dü album Zen Guerrilla. Not in a sonic sense ofcourse; for we are treated to some grade a grooves here with metallic overtones, progressive structuring and heavy hitting stoner. It’s extremely diverse, psychedelic and tricky. Cause the beauty is evident from the get-go; the apparent brilliance takes a while to sink in. My ears are still ringing from Going Home…

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Perro Loco – Vol. 35

Perro Loco – Vol. 35
Self released – 2012
Rock, Stoner
Rated: ***

Santiago, Chile is home to all kinds of weird and dangerous animals; but perhaps Perro Loco might be the wildest of the bunch. Three amigos formed this band at the tail end of 2008 and with the definite goal to produce some mad music for crazy times. Featuring members of Icarus Gasoline, Chocopanda Gore and Overdrunk. With heroes such as Black Sabbath, Corrosion of Conformity, Mötorhead and Kyuss and ofcourse the occasional alcoholic beverage you know you are in for some true pub stoner. Their first EP entitled Vol .35° packs three dynamic and macho tracks that carry within it that demented dangerous edge. This is straight to the point, drive it home and party hard, groove based heavy stoner rock. Not as diverse, spacious and magical as Icarus Gasoline perhaps, but definitely much more aggressive, ferocious and savage. De noche, todos los perros son loco!

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Broken Betty – Original Features

Broken Betty – Original Features
Nasiono Records – 2012
Rock, Stoner, Psychedelica, Hard, Space, Metal
Rated: ****

The Polish trio Broken Betty has always openly shown the musical colors they fly by. Never hiding their influences or their heroes. On their third release, a three track EP called Original Features, they return to a heavy fuzzed out grunge and punk sound without ever losing sight of the stoner roots they love so dearly. But we’re only referring to the first two explosive tracks here; for their closing song is one king hell of a battleship. Twelve minutes of space rock, post metal, desert doom and hard rock extravaganza. It’s a mad mad ride that sometimes leaves you wondering if it can get any better. High rising guitars, lethargic rhythms and mystical chants exchange blows with fuzzy riffs, serious pounding and wonderful vocals. Sure we dig the aggressive side of Betty; but once you get a taste of her luscious lips that spell out sweet and ancient lust with one long kiss. You’ll be unable to find the courage to fight her. She exhumes hard rocking opium. One taste is all it takes to make you dream…

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Eggnogg – Louis

Eggnogg – Louis
Palaver records – 2012
Rock, Stoner, Doom, Grunge, Funk
Rated: ****

The Brooklyn trio Eggnogg released their second album Moments In Vacuum only a year ago and are now preparing to follow it up with a third album called You’re All Invited. But before they do just that they are coming out with an EP just like they did after their 2009 debut album The Three. Their new four track little ditty is called Louis and features stripped down; naked and slow mystical songs that border on sludge and doom but leans heavily on an old funky soul. The first track seems to be an indecisive heavy colossus looking in every direction possible without feeling the need to choose. The second explores a funky left field with seriously ill basswork and weird samples. After this we return to another sandy gem of pure heavy funk expertly done. Closing track The Once-ler is dark, moody and returns to the atmosphere explored on the first tune of the EP. Closing off an impressive chapter in the Eggnogg history. Soon another part of their story will be here to indulge us…

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Mojo Waves – Enjoy, Don’t Destroy

Mojo Waves – Enjoy, Don’t Destroy
Self released – 2012
Rock, Free, Seventies, Psychedelica, Garage
Rated: *****

After the Finnish trio Mojo Waves introduced themselves with their impressive first EP called Introducing Mojo Waves all the way back in March of 2012 they immediately got to work on the follow-up. And in July of that same crazy year Enjoy, Don’t Destroy was released. Another three-song collection featuring the same wild and twisted sounds that we’ve come to love in those few dangerous months that came before. And I doubt the guys changed much in the way they work or did much different stuff then what they did three months before; but they suddenly sound much more mature and their production skills have risen to incredible heights. The shrieks and wails are still there, and so are the majestic grooves, heavy rock out’s and stampeding thunderous sounds. But this time those aspects are introduced into a definite structured song. Organized wild and savage rock that rolls over in massive waves of pure enchanting Mojo. Double U, O Double U! WOW!

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Mojo Waves – Introducing Mojo Waves

Mojo Waves – Introducing Mojo Waves
Self released – 2012
Rock, Free, Garage, Psychedelica, Seventies
Rated: ****

The drums start off with this crazy and hazy ringing and then the guitar starts thundering over it like a mad stampede until it slows down to a groovy drag and the singer explodes like a high energy, high pitched crazy Jack White creature shrieking and howling at the moon. Introducing Mojo Waves is the first three song EP from the Finnish trio logically called Mojo Waves. The guys had been playing together in various projects for about three years before the Mojo Waves were officially formed in 2011. And this is clearly audible; the unpredictable and slightly insane qualities are offset by four instruments that know how to work together and merge into one wicked psychedelic river of condensed noise. This is some impressive stuff. Ultimate free rock: fun, entertaining and a bit weird. And that’s just how we like it!

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Redcoats - Raven

Redcoats - Raven

The hottest album to arrive this year for sure. The full-sized debut album of Australia’s  rock ’n roll magicians: Redcoats. Who amazed everyone with their self-titled EP last year and that one song that will ring on forever and ever into legend: Dreamshaker. Check out their new single: Raven!

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Shit The Cow – Volume/Cow

Shit The Cow – Volume/Cow
Self released – 2012
Rock, Garage, Punk, Stoner
Rated: ****

For a band that reminds of Hellacopters, Wall of Voodoo, Dandy Warhols, Danko Jones, Queens of The Stone Age, Velvet Underground, Joy Division and many more they’ve got a eerie distinct and consistent sound. And even though the band got started many a year ago and restarted as a duo in 2005, they’ve only recently released their first official EP. The four tracks on their first EP Volume/Cow all sound like Shit The Cow; a Swedish multi-colored and multi-layered quilt of rock. They combine all kinds of alternative rock sounds and even some new wave punk and industrial to distill their very own blend. And the trio excels in making it catchy, very accessible and even sound familiar without every turning into a copycat. For a fleeting moment you feel the songs become stale and old very quickly; but then you start recognizing it for its genius quality. It nestles in your brain and hooks you like some all to familiar novocaine...

Homepagehttp://www.shitthecow.com/

Hangman’s Chair – Hope Dope Rope

Hangman’s Chair – Hope Dope Rope 

Bones Brigade Records – 2012 

Rock, Stoner, Doom, Sludge, Metal 

Rated: **** 

Hangman’s Chair started after Es La Guerilla disbanded in 2005 and the four French freaks have now delivered their third full-sized studio album under the new moniker. With the ever so cheery title Hope Dope Rope we are once again treated to a heavy mixture of doom, sludge and metal. The melodic guitar parts are the only lifting elements on the entire record that carries a suffocating atmosphere. For the most part it is a steady melancholic march towards the inevitable cliff. Extremely tight riffs and beats on repeat till the exact right moment. Vocals that sound weary, aggressive, clean, desperate and hopeless. Their musical craftsmanship overly apparent and their ability to invoke a certain state of mind and feeling is simply impressive. The new Hangman’s Chair is something all must undergo; but be sure to first burn every chair in the house and lock away all those ropes laying around… 

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Hogg – .

Hogg – .

Self released – 2012

Rock, Stoner

Rated: ****

The ancient and incredible country of Greece has been going through some hard times lately. Suffering as one of the first countries from a world wide economic shift that is doomed to inflict pain everywhere. Humans are becoming obsolete in most ‘industrial’ areas; so something different has to be found to keep us busy and make sure we don’t rise up. They shall prevail ofcourse; and Greece will come out on top. I am sure of that much; they just need to stomp on those Golden Dawn idiots. And to do that we have the perfect soundtrack. The album is called ‘.’ and features ten songs heavily inspired by Kyuss, Fu Manchu and Orange Goblin. And the four guys responsible for this electrifying record is Hogg, who have been around since 2009 and opened up for Therapy? and those Greek legends: Nightstalker. Hogg follows shortly in their dusty trail and fills the shimmering air with righteous riffs and high desert guitar-lines. Wicked drums and an incredibly groovy bass covered by aggressive and noble vocals. “The time approaches where we’ll see who’ll be the last man standing. Our heavy riffs accompany the outcome so outstanding.” Outstanding indeed!

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The Outlaws of Zen – Don’t Bother Getting Up, We'll Let Ourselves In

The Outlaws of Zen – Don’t Bother Getting Up, We'll Let Ourselves In

Self released – 2012

Rock, Seventies, Blues, Hard, Stoner, Southern, Metal

Rated: ****

When the earlier band of the drummer and axe-man dissolved; the two amigos decided to start their very own incarnation. They yanked a bassist away from some dark and dusty hole and found a vocalist lying around in the vicinity as well. Soon the four started bouncing of each other and the wall and a high-energy wave of creativity surged through their bones. It was the great magnet speaking to them and prodding them into righteous action; founding The Outlaws Of Zen. A true pirate ship filled with treasure chests looted from all the great bands they ever came across. We got some heavy rock inspired by the seventies which pays homage to the riff and blues melodies of that era while incorporating some twinge of the nineties and a distinct southern atmosphere. Little parts of dry heat stoner and classic metal give all this that extra boost towards pure excellence. Apart from a slightly flat production at times this five song EP shows very well what these Auburn, Michigan residents are capable off: Zen And The Art of Masterful Heavy Riffing! Pure and with the right attitude!

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Baroness – Yellow & Green

Baroness – Yellow & Green

Relapse records – 2012

Rock, Alternative, Stoner, Metal

Rated: ****

On our voyage down south we were treated less to the ancient roars and cavemen riffs we had been expecting of the new Baroness record Yellow & Green. Instead of the colorful Neanderthal musical drawings we had been expecting we were treated to wonderful kaleidoscopic and airy compositions that fit perfectly with the traversing landscape. With every record the guys become ever more accessible to a much wider audience; and where genre companions Mastodon largely tries to do the same thing; Baroness never wavers, does it with grace and succeeds. Solid tight rock songs on the first part called Yellow with instantly recognizable choruses. And thanks to the gripping guitar work we taste some true melodic riffs and solo’s without it ever becoming tedious. On the second part Green we traverse with the guys through the psychedelic landscape. Less thrilling perhaps but with ever so often a true musical pearl or a compelling new level in their music. Real song songs from the men with beards!

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Back… From the Wild…

Back… From the Wild…

I have returned from the wilderness where I survived the trek across Collet de Contraix, Coll de Valleta Seca and many drinking bouts with a cook named Pépé, his albino Golden Retriever Coco and a gigantic marmot who insisted on being called Alonzo. Though I could have sworn his name was Bertrand. He is famous for his ability to eat copious amounts of tuna and hypnotize with his languid brown yellowish eyes. He’s one of those beasts that gives you a head job under the knees or chin and tries to coax you outside for a smoke. But I proudly refused even if it meant losing another hand of poker to him. In the end he just shrugged at us and went out by himself into the cold and still sunless dawn. The almost purple madrugada. Pépé told me it drove Coco crazy to see the big marmot wagging his tail and purring like a cat. But to me Coco looked like one of those Zen’d out dogs. One that sleeps for most of the day and not even blinks when the birds land on his back or the flies nestle on his nose. I thought much about those weird and twisted nights as the trek through the wild continued. Especially on those moments when the wind died down and the heat became almost unbearable. And that at around 9800 feet. No sleep whatsoever and many miles every day through that beautiful unpredictable landscape. It was a grand adventure and one that should have lasted even longer. But alas, all good things must come to an end. So now, as the weather in my home country finally changes for the better we get back to the work for that is what we have to deal with. But ever so often I start smiling; usually right before my thoughts drift back to those mountains and the crazy folk we met along the way… Gracias!

So soon we will be able to continue on with the Stoner HiVe show…