Massa – Psyche

 

 

Massa – Psyche
Self-released – 2023
Instrumental, Rock, Post, Doom, Stoner, Sludge
Rated: ****

They threw me off balance with their second to last, nine-minute-long, Soma track. The ‘Something for your mind, your body and your soul…’ speech they incorporate there had me searching for the original of that speech. Of course, it had me remember some techno or hardcore dance song from somewhere in the early nineties. But that could not be start, could it? I actually thought for a moment that Dutch trio Massa had discovered it in some antique highly psychedelic movie somewhere. But my search was never very fruitful and it then continued in a very weird way to move through my mind, in which it moved through my brain and wreaked havoc on my Psyche. Which, to be honest, hasn’t been in the best of shape lately. But that’s not why we are here. Luckily though, Massa is in their best form! We loved their Walls album from 2018 and we feared we had lost track of all they did till now, but we then learned they’ve been kind of dormant and it wasn’t until a new member arrived, that the band took charge of their future, their inspiration and exploded into the seven-track album that is Psyche. An instrumental post sludge adventure that goes into doom territory as well stoner and psych. They embrace you slowly with their sonically rich landscape, but by the time you reach middle ground with Nyx you are entirely and completely captivated. After which Avondland with its steady rippling feels like the perfect interlude before that grand cathedral like Soma track starts. The speech will forever throw me for a loop and there is a part of me that is unsure if the track would not have been better without it. But it does fit, the way it sits there in the mix of the early part of the song as well as near the end when they are building towards that grand finale, that in fact turns out to be that fade out seduction. Leading up to yet another grandiose song, the final, title-track Psyche. Wonderful bass work and extremely wide drums kick off this track, before kicking it into second gear with almost tribal like percussion, and a guitar that dances around itself, becomes lighter than air and almost takes to the sky when the track reached that middle section. Finding fulfillment, escape even as the track continues, Psyche feels like the perfect finale to a musical odyssey filled with wonder… 

(Written by JK)

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Wodorost – From The Depths

 

 

Wodorost – From The Depths
Self-released – 2023
Rock, Post, Metal, Progressive, Stoner, Psych, Doom
Rated: ****

Polish trio Wodorost delivers an almost entirely instrumental post rocking, progressive metal album called From The Depths. And album that shines with enigmatic bursts of sunlight, while diving for dark stoner rock and doom treasure on the bottom of the fathomless heavy ocean. And it is in that contrast between dark and light, heavy and gentle, pressurized and sensitive that Wodorost manages to really carve out their sound. The soundscapes they create have heads and tails, and whenever they feel they are done slowly building the layers they need to let the guitars go off the rails, the bass becomes even more pronounced and on track. The complex percussion always steadying the madness, which feels fitting for the album is, ‘a concept work symbolizing a resurfacing from the abyss, a metaphorical journey through inner exploration and recovery from depression.’ And that it is a work of art that lets your travel inwards as much as outwards, is obvious whenever they touch upon a more meditative approach, whenever they let the sounds drift and spin slowly around its axis. Wodorost have delivered an outstanding album, and you will immediately recognize it as such, for in the way the one-and-a-half-minute long intro track Submerged turns into the following song called Depths, is perfectly done. It’s one of the tracks that features vocals, and they too lie so beautifully in the mix, the rumbling bass beneath, the drums slowly opening up and turning wilder as the gritty and fuzzy guitar whirls around, all of it, simply put stunning. From The Depths lets you wander, go astray, lose oneself in the deep of the compositions and whenever you find yourself back on track, it will make you gasp for air and send shivers down your spine…

(Written by JK)

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Doomherre – Bonegoat

 

 

Doomherre – Bonegoat
Self-released / Skatbo Records – 2023
Doom, Metal, Proto, Stoner, Punk
Rated: ****

Feast or famine? Love the logo, love the artwork, the entire aesthetic of everything Doomherre. And how can one not love the music that is spread out over their debut album called Bonegoat. Eight tracks that deliver the classic heavy metal, the classic doom, the proto of yore and everything you love from the legendary bands that started it all. Title track opener shows its colors immediately and when you use them ominous church bells to end said track, you know you will be in for a majestic doom adventure. Following track, We Come For The Witch starts off way more punk inspired before slowing down to the doom approach once more. And that highlights that other influence that returns now and again, for they definitely have some punk spirit running wild in the Doomherre blood. The three Swedes Daniel Strachal (formerly of Lobotomy, Blindfold, and Brainwarp – ex Nihilist), Victor Takala (Eyekon, The Broke, and former session live-member of Katatonia), and Max Collin (Lobotomy, Blindfold, and Votary) implore that punk spirit whenever the track calls for a faster touch and their eighties metal love steps if that speed calls for something move heavy. But for the most part it is the classic doom and metal; and that feels like a righteous celebration of those genres. An almost ageless, yet highly traditional feast for the doom senses, give your allegiance to Doomherre.  

(Written by JK)

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Dryland – Weekend In The Swamp

 

 

Dryland – Weekend In The Swamp
Self-released – 2023
Rock, Metal, Hardcore, Stoner
Rated: ****

Back in 2020 we wrote about their Dances With Waves album that it felt like a ‘rip-roaring trek through fantastic tales in a grand mix stoner, doom, and hardcore.’ And we were happy to hear their Monomyth single back in September, it retained some of that momentum, but also seemed to move forward. And we are extremely glad to be spinning their brand-new full-sized album Weekend In The Swamp! It’s the new Dryland and the five from Bellingham, Washington, USA deliver another grandiose tour de force through the heavy metal landscape. The Monomyth single featuring Violet Vasquez of Mount Saturn promised a stoner metal extravaganza and opener Haunt The Hearts Of Men delivers on that promise, adds more hardcore touches and a whole lot of alternative metal influences. Huge, muddy riffs thunder over one another, as do the different layers of vocals and vocalists in the many of the tracks. Clashing noisy screams with almost under water singing as well as guttural bellows. Different dynamics and tempo shifts throughout the album keeps the listener glued to the chair, nodding or headbanging along while never knowing where the next mudslide will take the Dryland ruckus. Weekend In The Swamp is an album fueled by holy fire; and we must give a shout-out to the UNKNOWN Recording Studio in Anacortes, WA with engineer extraordinaire Rich "The Fist" Canut, mixer Matt Bayles at the Red Room and master master Ed Brooks at Resonant Mastering in Seattle, WA, cause they made everything sound clear and distinct, even with this much layering and grittiness. In every way, pure craftmanship!

(Written by JK)

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

 

 

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

Bud Spencer Blues Explosion
Praise The Sun
Sun Q
IAH
Wodorost
Dusk
Doomherre
Mooch
Ibliss
Messerschmitt

Howdy y’all! Did we mention yet that life and work has been hectic again? I think we did, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and soon we can do more HiVe stuff! But luckily Good Boy and very cool Kyle delivered some words for the damn fine Oopsy Dazey release just yesterday. And of course we did a Quick Fire Friday segment and managed to write about the best grind and crust album we heard in years, delivered by Dutch five-piece Radeloos///Ziedend. Still on heavy rotation! And so are Volumen I by Spanish Doble Sesión Nocturna and the new Band In The Pit. For Goda is one kick ass relentless trip! Go check’m all out! All of ‘m!

Oopsy Dazey - Oopsy Dazey

 

 

Oopsy Dazey - Oopsy Dazey
Self-released - November 2023
Alt rock, grunge, shoegaze
Rated: ****

Portland's prolific Anthony Gaglia, of LáGoon and The Crooked Whispers, and Wizzerd's Jamie Yeats, began collaborating early this year, and the results are a few steps away from their usual doom and stoner leanings. The two have cooked up an intoxicating mix of shoegaze, alt rock, and grunge that is OOPSY DAZEY and its self-titled debut, a feel-good hazy trip through lysergic licks and laid-back vibes. What stands out immediately is the guitar tone, a bright and grainy explosion of warmth that croons beneath the appropriately dazed vocals. The drums are steady and patient, setting the foundation for the guitar's colorful explorations across the album's seven tracks. Highlight cut "Amnesia" is an especially dreamy number that's catchy enough to be a radio hit, moody and heartfelt in all the right places. The following "Regrets" takes a more rocking path, alternating between subdued, light passages and keening riffs that evoke Dinosaur Jr. with relaxed, free-wheeling vibes. OOPSY DAZEY take on oh-so-slightly darker sound, however, on the excellent "Blank Stares", trading the previously shimmering tones for a deeper, almost morose anthem with a weight and drive to it that hits just right. On every song, Anthony and Jamie consistently impress with the rich, emotive depths they're able to plunge, and OOPSY DAZEY proves to be a beautiful new project that tugs at the heart strings while putting a smile on your face and welcomes repeat listens with open arms.

(Written by Kyle SB / Shastabeast)

Wanna read that way too long interview with grand oops Anthony Gaglia again? Go here!

Wanna read more about LáGoon or The Crooked Whispers? Click them bandnames!

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Stoner HiVe's Quick Fire Friday

 

 

Stoner HiVe's Quick Fire Friday

It’s Friday! And we’ve got a lot of liquid ground to cover! For the Heavy Underground is on fire! There is so much great music released on a daily basis it continues to amaze and awe. So, this here, you know, the Quick Fire Friday we sometimes do, is a way to cover a bit more territory, even though it means we only use a small selection of words to do so. But still, they are a few good words about something heavy and something cool! Check it out below… And we know… There is so much out there, so much good and heavy stuff, and we just simply cannot ever do it all justice. But here it is… Another Stoner HiVe Quick Fire Friday! And it burns hot like molten lava!

The Polvos – Going Down

They’re heading out to Mexico for a tour and you will want to book a flight to join them after hearing the new Going Down single by The Polvos! If you remember their 2019 album Darkness Emotion you know what kind of psychedelic fuzz and heavy space they are capable of. And Going Down has all that and then some! In fact, you don’t need to book a flight, just listen to the track and you can fly over by yourself!!

Tour Dates:

•November 24: CUERNAVACA @ CatBobber Pub
•November 25: MÉRIDA @ Doomcatán Fest
•November 30: PARACHO @ La Amargura Bar
•December 1: VERACRUZ @ la cofradía de los muertos
•December 2: CDMX @ Tianguis del Chopo
•December 2: CDMX @ Denso Rock.

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Crash And The Void - The Villain

Out today, the new video and single The Villain by South African alternative rock crazies Crash And the Void. “Inspired by the profound philosophies of political thinker Hannah Arendt and the controversial concept of “moral relativism”, The Villain delves into the depths of moral relativism, drawing further inspiration from the profound works of Friedrich Nietzsche. The track challenges preconceived notions of villainy, offering a satirical take on the archetype by portraying the antagonist as sly, banal, and calculated – a far cry from the conventional, over-the-top depictions.” And the video is damn cool! And the song even cooler! Using prog influences of yore to spice up their alternative nineties and some pop sensible hook and groove! Tasty!

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Mongrel Records

 

 

Lazer Snake – Approach Seduce

I wrote something about this, perhaps even witty, but the computer locked up, and I lost it. I felt like I was bitten by this cosmic snake because I said something about not being happy about the chosen name, because there are so many bands, projects and artists already named like this. But well, who cares when it is this entertaining right? Lazer Snake is a duo consisting of Daisy Lazer and Bobby Snake who implored the help from friends whenever the track needed more. And when it comes to the fourth final track on this EP, they got aid from another duo called Horse Gives Birth to Fly, making it in fact a quartet and the track All Ends Up something that dances around alternative metal, rock, doom and touches it all off with something industrial. Cooky!

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Ruff Majik – Ruff Majik vs The World

We love Ruff Majik and we love their newest album Elektrik Ram! Which you already knew if you by some weird chance read our little screed about it back in April. To see them performing in my home was definitely a highlight and we still have something we never got finished waiting to be published. Will get to that soon! But now, we want to mention the addendum to Elektrik Ram, their wild two covers from the Scott Pilgrim vs. The World movie. Both Black Sheep and Threshold feel like an extra touch up for Elektrik Ram as well as a pure and honest homage to the movie and the songs. Well done, once again!

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 Nepal Death – Sister Nirvana

Get on your  psychedelic disco shoes!! We mentioned their self-titled album from 2021 and wrote something about smoke filled ritualistic orgies and reciting impromptu, five-hundred-stanza-long poems. Well, Nepal Death is back and has turned to psychedelic disco dancing! New single Sister Nirvana with its Eastern influences, early disco and sixties psych turns this into something enigmatic. And so does the video!  

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Nyxora – Almost There

Time for another single by Portland fourpiece Nyxora! We mentioned their Good Night, Ophelia single and Nyxora continues that sound on Almost There. Perhaps even a bit more traditional and straight trucking, less operatic and gothic, but that spirit still lingers here as well. Shakespearian metal perhaps? Does this mean there is a full album in the works? Let’s hope so!

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Radeloos///Ziedend – Doodsverachting

 

 

Radeloos///Ziedend – Doodsverachting
Self-released – 2023
Metal, Grind, Crust, Black, Death, Core, Sludge, Doom
Rated: ****

We don’t write about grind sludge, death crust and all that crazy diabolical heavy stuff that lies between all those stylings very habitually. But once every so often; something so intense and furious comes by, we just have to. The new Doodsverachting album by Dutch five-piece Radeloos///Ziedend is just that. Their manic level of power violence, black metal and crust smeared out across seven intense tracks borders on the insane. And then to still retain some form of buried melody and hidden groove is the reason this release should catch the eye, ear and heart of more than just the grind and crust fans. Some of that melody and groove seems to harken back to the New York Hardcore days of yore and the shifts in tempo and beats gives their brutality a delirious edge, one that beckons to be explored over and over. Chainsaw riffs cutting you right down the middle whenever the ruthless onslaught commences. Commences a top of sprawling and bulldozing bass work and demented fast and full drums. And over all that we hear the screams, howls and shrieking of a vocalist determined to get his message across and ‘the listeners to partake in this innate misery and let loose the bottled-up despair and anger that has made its home in many a heart.’ For even though the lyrics become mostly undecipherable, you feel within your entire being what Radeloos///Ziedend is trying to convey with this monstrous pandemonium. And live… This will probably become entirely cathartic…

(Written by JK)

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Doble Sesión Nocturna - Volumen I

 

 

Doble Sesión Nocturna - Volumen I
Self-released – 2023
Rock, Stoner, Doom, Psych, Space
Rated: *****

We were informed that the PR email had mistakenly suggested they formed this project only two months ago, but in fact they first got together in September 2022. Indeed, the Madrid five (or six?) got together since September 2022 to jam, record and call themselves: Doble Sesión Nocturna. But even if it was born over a year ago, everything else remains the same. For it was recorded in a double nightly session that resulted in five amazing tracks that ended up making up the Volumen I album. A weekend full of creative energy that flowed like the majestic current of the great magnet. Starting off highly atmospheric the space and psych rock elements taken precedence as you hear the opening track Hielo Negro slowly build towards a crescendo, firstly stopped dead in its tracks by these wonderful heartfelt, chased, emotion filled vocals. After which a fuller sound continues, turning slowly heavier and darker, but the echo parts do return, like a distant street light bouncing of a street filled with ice. Intended to be played and listened to as one take, as they were recorded and created in a similar fashion, the wilder stuff commences as you take part in Peleas Callejeras. Kraut influences take this track to delirious heights and those feral bursts of energy will completely and entirely rev you up. Ready to take on all comers, and they might stomp upon you with their dirty boots, but Botas Sucias turns the mood from ominous and dangerous into something that lets positivity starts to bloom. Which gets this extra kick in the guts at its two thirds, turning Volumen I even more into one of those records to light up the dark months, to possibly even transcend winter and all the cold that normally comes with it. A doom, and darkest of winter wind does return during Doomenko, but there is once again so much emotional vibing that you take it in strides and completely flow with the waves it puts out. And of course, the ending Lisergia – Gasolina will give you enough psychedelic energy to keep going for the rest of the night. For the most part though it rides on wavey guitar lines and undulating drum work. Almost astral sound languages that slowly circle each other as the still emotive vocals keeps burrowing into your being. Together with that synth, machinal freak out, which already gives it this conclusive edge, it all slowly dissipates before doing that double turn and giving you one last blast of Doble Sesión Nocturna. One hell of a beautiful masterpiece…

(Written by JK)

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Band In The Pit – Goda

 

 

Band In The Pit – Goda
Psychedelic Source Records / Para Hobo Records – 2023
Rock, Doom, Psych, Stoner, Instrumental
Rated: ****

If you are looking for an out of body experience, look no further! On the new album Goda, by Hungarian trio Band In The Pit, the three pound you into submission with their instrumental doom and in the way they stomp on the terra and make the earth tremble and the walls shake around you, your entire being will start to quake and quiver. Your mind will free itself from your body, and you will become a shimmering entity floating overhead and only scarcely able to get a grip on the determined, doom techno like hammering that takes you all the way to the Tao of existence before soaring back down when that jazzy freak out in final track Relight electrifies your soul. Relentless and staggering have always been monikers for whatever Band In The Pit released, but with Goda they really take it up a notch. It becomes ruthless and insistent, and within that frame of oppression, it turns out, is freedom. For you will find yourself and fight for your soul, your return to a whole and in the end will experience some form of bliss as you are finally sucked back into your body. And if all this sounds like it might be arduous, dangerous, scary or that it might deter you from listening, you are wrong. Goda is meant to be on repeat for the entire night…

(Written by JK)

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

 

 

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

Black Rainbows
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
Baroness
Big Muff 68
Electric Machete
Band In The Pit
Desert Flag
The Guardians
Occult Hand Order
Ancient Days

Work has been hectic and much of the free time went to getting them October edition of the Doom Charts ready. But we still listened to quite some albums and enjoyed the hell out of all ten mentioned above. The sad news past week was of course that after delivering that damn amazing Man In The Arena album, the guys from The Sound Of Origin have decided to go on hiatus. Life sometimes takes a difficult turn. Thanks for the cool tunes guys! We hope you work through it all and come back to us one day.

The Doom Charts for October 2023

 

DOOM CHARTS

OCTOBER 2023

“Don’t take away the music
It’s the only thing I’ve got
It’s my piece of the rock…”

~ Tavares

Nobody can listen to more than a fraction of all the music ever released, during their lifetime. And even the amount of music being released on a daily basis in what we have started calling the Heavy Underground is already so immense, it remains forever completely and totally awe-inspiring. It was the main reason Lucas started the Doom Charts back in 2015. To somehow try and get many of the ones that dive into that massive ocean of heaviness on a daily basis, and who write, blurb or podcast about what they discover somewhere on the internet, all grouped together. So, that together, they could possibly make some sort of list of the most important ones. Ofcourse, music is totally subjective and the Heavy Underground is of course another tribe, which inspires tribalism. It is one part of why there are so many glowing reviews about the albums we listen to. Cause even us outsiders, who finally found an every growing niche the feel at home in, do want to belong to this lovely tribe of heavy rock fiends. Or at least I do. Another, perhaps even more important reason is what we started the intro with. There is so much music! So, why bother listening to the albums you don’t love so much and why write about those, when you can profess your love for the ones you do. Well, below, those amazing girls and boys that make up the Doom Charts cabal do just that. They selected the albums they loved from the past month, sent in their lists and wrote a few words of praise… A Top 40 of amazing records, all of which deserve every bit of your attention… Go check’m out! Check’m all out!

There she is! In all it's blazing glory! Spreading like dragon fire! What a wild and wonderful month October was... Once again! All forty on this list are stunning...

Of the ones that made it, personal votes went out to: Howling Giant, Bahboon, MOOCH, Occult Hand Order, Phe, The Heavy Minds, Morag Tong, Vanishing Kids, Aiwass, wolf prayer, The Silver Linings, The Sound of Origin, Bismut, Lucid Sins, Giant Lungs, Ego Planet , DUSK, Purple Kong & Death Chant

And we already wrote something about the new: Bismut, Occult Hand Order, Phe, Morag Tong, The Silver Linings & The Sound of Origin !

But I could have voted for all of them, and should have! Will be checking my list first to see listen to the ones I voted for that unfortunately did not make it...

Before starting the rundown with Number 40: SPECK!

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 October 2023

 

Occult Hand Order – Silence By The Raging Sea

 

 

Occult Hand Order – Silence By The Raging Sea
Self-released - 2023
Rock, Metal, Post, Doom, Psych, Sludge
Rated: ****

When Shake Promotion sent the promo for the new Occult Hand Order we immediately started spinning it, but first and foremost, the one that came before. Because we surely remembered their 2020 album The Chained The Burned The Wounded, but must admit we had not spun it for a while. What a mistake that was! Cause those five tracks are still as grand as the day we first heard them. Psychedelic doom, stoner, progressive and with grand master level tension arcs. And as we got entirely revved up again by those storming highly atmospheric rockers, that can mesmerize with their restraint and provide release with their delivery, we could not wait to start our first run of their new Silence By The Raging Sea. And once again it quickly becomes obvious that the three from Lyon, France have built yet another highly dynamic wonder world of heavy rock. Surging like an ocean, rolling with the tides, the tension builds, rolls back and breaks upon the shores full of release and riff splendor. It can be as atmospheric, emotive and even meditative as well as wild, savage and yes, raging. And the way they control all aspects of these different heavy approaches is breath-taking. Mastered by Magnus Lindberg from Cult Of Luna the first three tracks alone take you through so many calm water moments and huge heavy rock swells you can already feel battered and bruised by the time Pyre ends. But Pyre does serve as the perfect story telling end to the beginning, even though you might feel spent and wasted by the time its ten minutes and thirty-nine seconds are done, you soon feel elated and a warm sense of euphoria creeping in. And all that after listening to an extremely dynamic heavy rock song. And that’s how it continues and how it ends. Their progressive doom, with its psychedelic touches, post metal meandering and sludge tones is once again one hell of an impressive adventure. Colorful, atmospheric and emotive, the six tracks drag you along on a wild and dangerous voyage. And then there are those moments when they let all the colors fade away, turn their sound into something bleaker and savage and you cannot help but feel the world slowly sinking away beneath you…  

(Written by JK)

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