Tour Announcement: Ruff Majik off to wreck Europe in August

 

 

Ruff Majik off to wreck Europe in August

Their newest album was released in April and we fell head over heels in love with Ruff Majik’s Elektrik Ram. Wrote a few weird lines about it, which you can read here: (review). So, you can be absolutely sure I shall not miss them hitting the Netherlands. Turns out, they’re playing my hometown together with Acid King! Another entity that released one of the best albums, Beyond Vision, of 2023 and which we mentioned back in February. (review) Two big hitters on one night levelling the Effenaar in Eindhoven. Hell yeah! Let’s see what kind of mess this will leave…

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Mongrel Records

Ruff Majik Set to Ignite European Stages on Long-Awaited Tour. 

Prepare for an explosive journey as South Africa's leading stoner rock band, Ruff Majik, embarks on their highly anticipated We’ve Come To Lay Waste European tour brought to you by the good people at Sound Of Liberation. With their hard-hitting sound and electrifying performances, Ruff Majik is set to captivate audiences across the continent.

Fresh off the release of their critically acclaimed album, Elektrik Ram, the band is eager to share their powerful and introspective compositions with fans around the world. Known for their signature blend of heavy riffs, hypnotic melodies, and captivating lyrics, Ruff Majik has established themselves as torchbearers of the stoner rock genre.

The European tour will see them gracing renowned festivals, including Sonic Blast, Blue Moon Festival, Trafostation 61, Moosenmättle Open Air and Rifffields. Their dynamic live shows, characterized by intense energy and an undeniable stage presence, will leave audiences craving for more. In addition to their festival appearances, the guys will also have the privilege of sharing the stage with prominent bands such as Acid King and Sasquatch, further solidifying their position in the global stoner rock community while expanding their fan base to new horizons.

Lead vocalist and guitarist, Johni Holiday expresses their enthusiasm, stating “After a 3-year absence we’re finally making it back! With two new albums to tour as well. We’re bringing fire and baptising.”

With a loyal fan base in their home country and growing international recognition, Ruff Majik is poised to make a significant impact during the tour. Their evocative music speaks to the human experience, transcending boundaries and resonating with listeners from all walks of life.

Tour Dates:

5/8 DE Wolfach - Moosenmättle Open Air
9/8 PO Ancora – Sonic Blast
12/8 DE Lichtenstein – JUST Riot / Voice Of Art
13/8 DE Frechen – Trafostation 61
15/8 DE Berlin – Urban Spree with Sasquatch
17/8 DE Hannover – Faust with Sasquatch
18/8 DE Cottbus – Blue Moon
19/8 PL Kozmin Wielkopolski – Rifffields
20/8 CZ Prague – Nová libeňská Synagoga
22/8 DE Frankfurt – Zoom with Greenleaf
23/8 NL EDE – Astrant
24/8 NL Eindhoven – Effenaar with Acid King
25/8 DE Dresden – Ostpol
26/8 DE Siegen – Vortex

Buy / Stream Elektrik Ram on all digital platforms:

https://orcd.co/elektrik_ram

Order Elektrik Ram on 180g black vinyl with gatefold sleeve.

South Africa / Africa - https://www.mpiremusic.co.za/products/riff-majik-elektrik-ram-180g-gatefold-lp

Rest of World - https://mongrelrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/elektrik-ram

 

“A career album, and the sort that not every career gets to feature.” – The Obelisk

"Ruff Majik once again push the limits of their sound and come out with something so beautifully crazy that you can’t help but fall in love with its quirkiness. Elektrik Ram is brilliantly eclectic and is easily the most colourful chapter in the band’s already vivid discography." – Distorted Sound Magazine

"Ruff Majik continuing to prove why they are in a league of their own and one of the brightest prospects of the South African rock scene." - Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life

 

About Ruff Majik

The horned infant known as Ruff Majik emerged from the primordial ooze when the band moved from the historical town of Lydenburg in 2012 to the capital city of Pretoria, where they honed their craft for a few years before finally entering the studio to record for the first time. Now, with several EP’s and two lauded albums under their belt, not to mention a megaton of local and international touring, they return with what might be their defining work in the shape of ‘Elektrik Ram’.

Ruff Majik is Johni Holiday (vocals & guitar), Cowboy Bez (guitar & vocals), Jimmy Glass (bass), and Steven Bosman (drums), four horsemen of the feedback apocalypse who know what they want to say and do it without apology.

 

Rock ‘n roll is dead - LONG LIVE RUFF MAJIK.

 

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Phe - Saviour

 

 

Phe - Saviour

 

That Dutch trio Phe are set to release their new five track EP somewhere in October. But are giving us all a first taste of what’s to come by setting free their first single Saviour. And this here little post is just to let you know, we’ve heard it, we love it, and we are honored to premiere that single one day early! So, better be tuning in to Stoner HiVe on Wednesday June 7th! Cause that one track alone already seems to dwarf what they did on their debut EP and their full-sized album from 2021 called Glooming Dawn. As Bucky once stated: ‘Phe is short for Phenomenal’ and Saviour is here to prove just that! Don't believe me, believe the Saviour...

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Birds of Nazca - Héliolite

 

 

Birds of Nazca - Héliolite
Self released – 2023
Rock, Instrumental, Psych, Stoner, Doom
Rated: ****

It was one of the albums that went with me on that little holiday in Scotland. And it was one of the albums that went on repeat during and after the trip, causing me to take yet another trip. For the  instrumental heavy goodness straight out of Nantes, France can make you see all sorts of visions. It’s the brand new Birds of Nazca EP called Héliolite... And still can't get enough of it! So, only logical that we could not control ourselves and had to write that little blurb for the May Doom Charts. From Nantes, France comes instrumental duo Birds of Nazca. And on their newest release Héliolite they once again give us that delicious heavy fuzz, heavy psych, heavy stoner and high energy doom! This time around the sound has grown richer, thicker, and fit for a narrative about deep diving into a mine for emeralds and diamonds. Cause with restraint and precision, the short intro and three tracks shine and glisten like that dark rock pressurized for ages and ages until it shatters into millions of precious drum fills and riffs! Three tracks that give you everything you need. And for the Doom Charts Mixtape I suggested using the Inti Raymi track, but we perhaps should have suggested closing track Gugcumatz. The track named after the Mayan, feathered serpent god, that created the world, and is the carrier of the sun across the sky, starts of with these highly atmospheric sounds, which suggest movement and something bubbling underground at the same time. That sundried, shimmering hot, yet full of life guitar tone than sets everything properly in gliding motion. Bone dry almost speaker boxing drums turn it into a more totem punching rock song, before stonerrock bordering on sludge reminiscent riffs take you into a different subterranean section. And that windswept middle section, reminding you of how it started and bringing it full circle before they minutely build it up again towards that end push. Where the feathered serpent gets to bite its tail one last time…  (And did we mention yet that they sell white band shirts!?)

(Written by JK)

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Foo Fighters – But Here We Are

 

 

Foo Fighters – But Here We Are
Roswell/Sony Music – 2023
Rock
Rated: ****

I don’t know about you, but I definitely did not expect Dave Grohl and his Foo Fighters formation to drop another album this soon. This soon after the loss of drummer Taylor Hawkins and his own mother. But Here We Are... There was a lot of pain and grief that needed to be released and Mr. Grohl does that best by writing songs. And well, But Here We Are definitely belongs to the best Mr. Grohl has ever released with his Foo Fighters. Unlike many other fans, I’ve always been a fan of his rougher voice, especially whenever I saw them live. But on record, as we received them over the years, they’ve not always managed to grab me, and often felt a bit like a mannerism. This time however, it does feel straight from his heart and needed to express the pain and emotion running rampant in his blood. But perhaps, even now, you can feel even more whenever Mr. Grohl goes for the cleaner and fragile approach. He also took up the sticks and does all the drumming on the album, even though Josh Freese will be taking over on tour. This all combined, results in one of the most varied albums the Foo’s released, showing off colors and shapes that will surely have to be pointing in the direction of bands and music that he listened to while going through all the pain and strife of losing loved ones. It also points back towards the album that he released the other time he went through this huge loss. For memories about that 1995 debut album will surely pop up from time to time. And yes, that duet Show Me How, with his daughter Violet, is a wonderful as it is healing, and comforting. But the ninth track The Teacher will surely have to be seen as the seminal But Here We Are track, with that heartbreaking and desperate ‘Goodbye’ from Mr. Grohl. Epic in proportion, prog in execution and moving in every direction, guided by subtle yet intense cello, this is now probably the best song the Foo’s ever released and perhaps even the best song Mr. Grohl has been a part of. So, he can rest easy now…

(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…

Queens of The Stone Age
Phe
Birds of Nazca
Ruff Majik
Rusty Bonez
Gozu
Matt C White
Ockra
The Evil
Faerie Ring

We had our little goddaughter for the weekend, which meant very limited time to go through all those May Doom Charts albums. But we shall continue that run down as of today. And when Queens of The Stone Age drop an album, you of course sit up and pay attention. But I sat up ever straighter hearing that new EP by Phe. Five tracks leagues ahead of what they did with the first EP and their album Glooming Dawn. And we are honored to let you guys know, we will be premiering their first single Saviour on Wednesday!! Can’t wait for everyone to hear it! 

The Doom Charts for May 2023

 

  

Doom Charts

 

“Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

~ Lou Gehrig

Here we are, on the First Friday of the new Month looking back at yet another Month filled with amazing releases. A month that might have felt a bit quiet on the Doom Charts front, and that is because yours truly left on a holiday to Scotland for three weeks of hiking and completely off grid stuff and had limited time to arrange things properly before he left. This will not happen again. My apologies. Returning to the Heavy Underground always feels like a warm embrace though, especially when you see so many amazing albums all waiting to be spun. And even more so when some of the Contributors immediately contact you raving about this or that album. Some frantically so, because his blurb was received a fraction after the deadline. Which means it will be used for the Peroration post in two weeks. He stated: “Five tracks of leviathan, tectonic soundscapes coupled with the harmonies of twin vocalists… EPIC is an understatement: The Very ECHT of Doom: Panoramic, Epic and Majestic every which way you turn!” and ends that blurb with: ” … have a Unique vibe, Appealing sound, Awesome Concept and may well have just catapulted Themselves into the Echelons! Unmissable!” So, you best believe we were listening to that album immediately! And then to think there were more Contributors with other favorite albums that demanded to be heard as soon as possible as well. Amazing! In fact, 323 albums received votes this month. How lucky are we that we have this abundance of great music to listen to and love? Cause that’s a lot of love for all that Heavy Rock once again. And some of that love is now featured below… Go check’m out! Check’m all out! 

There she booms! The May 2023 Doom Charts containing, all that's heavy, psychedelic, stoner and dooms! A mighty fine list once again!

And due to that little holiday, I will need to check a whole lot of them this time around... Personal votes of the ones that made it went out to Dozer, Ruff Majik, GOZU, Apex Ten, The Machine, Birds of Nazca. 

Started my run down of all forty yesterday with Sacri Suoni, Psychic Mass, Takezo and Ruff Majik... Continuing on now with Rusty Bonez and their Brainworm release and make my way to Number 1 !! Stil feeling all sorts of lucky!!

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…

 

The Doom Charts for May 2023

 

Cooling Tower - Saint Vitus

 

Cooling Tower - Saint Vitus
Self-released - March 2023
Psych, Doom, Stoner
Rated: ****

Cooling Tower's second full length and personally long-awaited follow-up, Saint Vitus, sees the Melbourne crew continue to explore their dark corner of psych rock to powerful effect. Made up of members from two death metal bands, Gravepeeler and Hormagaunt, the Cooling Tower project is an outlet for a different brand of evil, one that creeps and crawls with patience to spare. Opening track "Necromancer" is as good a mission statement as any for the seven track LP, leading with a slow, eerie chug that's just off-kilter enough to create an atmosphere of unease, a signature of the band that permeates the album. A crunching jagged riff eventually interrupts with punchy drums and plaintive vocals, a horror movie soundtrack waiting to happen. The chorus surprises, however, with bright, cathartic guitar before dipping back into the gloom and doom. More twists and turns await throughout the remaining six tracks, from the epic classic metal riffage and bluesy shuffle of "Hound of the Baskervilles" to the cool, laid-back spaghetti western licks of "Psychic Drive". Another highlight cut is the most aggro of the bunch, "Delphi", whose patient start belies a swinging, hard-hitting drive of ripping blues and drums that roll through like a train barrelling down the tracks. The penultimate "Nighstalker" returns to the doomier, uneasy fare Cooling Tower do so well, and they finish things off by absolutely nailing a cover of Sir Lord Baltimore's "Kingdom Come". Saint Vitus is an impressive sophomore effort that sees the Aussies digging deeper into their now trademark creep, twisting the genres of psychedelia and doom to dark purposes known only to Cooling Tower, and sounding like no one but Cooling Tower.

(Written by Kyle SB / Shastabeast)

 
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Poste 942 - La Ligne

 

 

Poste 942 - La Ligne

We’ve been following these punk outlaws, these outback stoner rocking crazies for quite some time now, and have always dug whatever Poste 942 came up with. As you can read in our coverage of their Extended Play EP from 2014, their Extended Play 2 from 2016 and the Long Play they released in 2017. But this new single and video is new territory for Poste 942! Well, they already released their La Gorgone single in December 2022, the first time we got to meet Virginie D as the new vocalist for Poste 942. But La Ligne takes all that grunge and punk we knew they did to new stoner rocking heights! The addition of these French vocals make La Ligne that perfect chased rock song! You know the one, running from the devil, from your demons, from whatever might be on the hunt and knowing that no matter what they try to do, you will continue down your path... In a straight line! La Ligne rocks like the perfect anthem for the rock 'n roll soul!

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