Stoner HiVe

Graveyard – Innocence & Decadence

Nuclear Blast – 2015

Rock, Hard, Seventies, Stoner

Rated: ****

Everybody out there will surely still be in love with their 2011 album Hisingen Blues. And ever since that album the boys from Sweden can do no wrong. Although some of us, the undying Graveyard lovers, did think Lights Out did lose some of its raw and gritty edge in comparison to Hisingen Blues. But now they return with Innocence & Decadence, and even though one could concede it’s a new version of what they did before. It is a damn good version. Thick seventies grooves, heavy hooks and that growling voice of Joakim Nilsson that can just as easily turn into that bone-chilling screech. And they can just as easily pull back on the throttle and hit just as hard with a ballad like Too Much Is Not Enough. So yes, Graveyard is in great form, better than on Lights Out and almost as good as on Hisingen Blues. But from now on, let’s stop comparing their releases to the genre-transcending album of a decade and take everything on its own classic merit. Cause Innocence & Decadence is damn freakin good and something we can listen to until the end of time…

(Written by JK)

Doom Chart for November 2015

maandag 2 november 2015

Doom Chart for November 2015

Doom Chart

“Do you see the story? Do you see anything? It seems to me I am trying to tell you a dream–making a vain attempt, because no relation of a dream can convey the dream-sensation, that commingling of absurdity, surprise, and bewilderment in a tremor of struggling revolt, that notion of being captured by the incredible which is the very essence of dreams…” (Joseph Conrad)

Welcome to Doom Charts, representing some of the finest bloggers, radio and podcasters and album reviewers from the doom-stoner underground around the globe. Each month, our critics submit their picks for the best new doom-sludge metal and stoner-psychedelic 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.

It’s November. This time around, the honor of tallying and editing the Doom Chart edition was all mine. And I reckon I was the first to see the big surprise as well. Sure, a lot of us would have guessed who would make the Number One spot this month. But could we predict the band that would end up on Number Two? I sure as hell didn’t. And after seeing the votes come in, I immediately clicked my way to their bandcamp site and was amazing as well by their full-sized debut album. What a record! So go on over to the Doom Chart and be amazed yourself!

Spoiler alert for Number 3

And once again we are mesmerized by that languid and husky voice that floats on top of those sluggish doom riffs. They’ve turned their doom syrup into something even more swampy and wooly. Offset against the more concise songs and less lengthy compositions, it turns the entire record into a highly psychedelic wall of repetition. Less oppressive and less deceitful than Soma, Grief’s Infernal Flower truly opens up for the listener. Yes, It’s Windhand and it’s epic!

zaterdag 31 oktober 2015

Bedroom Rehab Corporation – Fortunate Some

Self released – 2015

Doom, Heavy, Rhythm

Rated: ****

You know all those stupid drummer jokes like; who's that with the band? Oh, that's the drummer. Yeah well what IF the drummer is the band, dickheads!!! Because that is 50% of the Bedroom Rehab Corporation. The duo consists of Adam Wujtewicz on bass and vocals along with Meghan Killimade on the kit. These two crushed it on their former Red Over Red album and they crush it on their latest release Fortunate Some, doing more with what they have than some four-piece outfits. Fortunate Some is called a doom record but I hear way more thought going on here. The couple is very pop savvy. They employ the soft to hard method of playing and singing which was very popular in the 90's. Adams voice is excellent on all four cuts and shows that he has more than just a shouting act. Adams bass playing is mysterious and subtle at times, only to then rise and reach out into the vastness of the universe. Meghan holds it down time after time, after time. The drumming is straight forward but excellent and is heavy in the mix. I truly enjoyed all four tracks but my favorite song on the record would have to be The Serpent The Smiler. Great record, great playing and great production. Do you think I liked it? Check’em out at the bandcamp below. You won't regret it. I promise...

(Written by Charlie Tooth)

donderdag 29 oktober 2015

Mutonia – Wrath of The Desert

Self released – 2015

Rock, Stoner, Hard

Rated: ***

Next up at the HiVe we have Mutonia from Rome, Italy. It sounds like they swung for the fences on their latest sophmore release called Wrath of The Desert. The album was recorded at the Rock And Bones studio in Fiuggi and has a very well-produced sound about it. The band is more than capable and the vocals to my ears have sort of a 90's delivery, and at times may remind you of Alice in Chains. But Mutonia also revisit some of those Sabbath style riffs that most of us love along with some more commercial style fair. Among The Gale And The Desert was an especially enjoyable track for me. Give these stoner musicians a listen. Check them out at the bandcamp below.

(Written by Charlie Tooth)

woensdag 28 oktober 2015

Sideburn – Evil or Divine

Metalville – 2015

Rock, Hard, Metal, Stoner

Rated: ****

Will their new album Evil Or Divine be as good as their previous one IV – Monument? Cause that fourth album of the Swedish quartet Sideburn really stood its monolithic ground. On the new album the guys move away from the more seventies approach we heard on that record towards more metallic influences, classic hardrock and almost sludge-like pounces. Not that the seventies are completely over and done with, just less of a definite go-to on these seven new tracks. For a band that has been around since 1997 they sure as hell have evolved and painted many a different picture on their records. And this time we are reminded more of Rainbow than Sabbath, and we head bang more than give we give the universal nod. With slow basslines and impressive guitar work Sideburn kicks every song into full overdrive. Especially when drummer Frederik Haake lets loose. Cause it’s the passion in those drums and the fire in the guitar solos that absolutely stand out. Traditional hardrock, with metal and stoner touches. What more could you wish for?

(Written by JK)

vrijdag 23 oktober 2015

Thee Arthur Layne – Hvy Drt Vol.I

Self released – 2015

Rock, Psych, Stoner, Seventies, Blues

Rated: *****

As seven inches go, this is without a doubt the best one that ever graced my record player. Period. Chicago born Thee Arthur Layne hits you full throttle with their Hvy Drt Vol.I single that is laced with two amazing tracks. Namely: Father Friendly and Scorpion Crawl. Both of which are full on dune boogie rockers straight out of the psychedelic seventies. Its punky, its proto-metal and grooves the hell out of every pants in the room. These four cats know exactly where the good mustard is stored! And they’ve taken all the bottles with them when they went into the studio. It’s so raw and soulful that the blues they bring becomes fuzzy, warm and shining. It gives you a warm almost delirious chill, especially when you also hear those howling vocals by Screamin’ Jay Walter. And together with all that visceral drumming and whirlwind guitar this amazing seven inch can’t stop spinning… Especially cause there are also those tiny mellotron, Wurlitzer or even wind chime sounds? Simply stunning!

(Written by JK)

Dronegoat – Bootleggers & Baptists

Self released – 2015

Rock, Stoner, Sludge

Rated: ****

The guys from Dronegoat don’t give a shit about conventions. About prevailing opinions about anything for that matter. On their first four track EP Bootleggers & Baptists they give us highly diverse yet very sludgy stoner rock tracks. These Dutch freaks impress with their perfect execution of stoner sludge. They have something crazy about them, something weird, but at the same time it’s straight truckin, straight hardrock influenced stoner. It's like mainlining on a speedball of Kyuss, Melvins, Mastodon, Karma To Burn and some grunge or alternative from the nineties. Shit, forget that, don’t mainline at all. Chug a big one instead and forget everything I said. Just go ahead and listen to Dronegoat, there is absolutely no way in hell you will not completely love them!

(Written by JK)

woensdag 21 oktober 2015

Prophets of Saturn – Retronauts

HeviSike Records – 2015

Rock, Psych, Seventies, Doom, Stoner, Occult

Rated: ****

On the new album Retronauts the Leicester formation Prophets of Saturn seem to want to pay tribute to an amazing array of bands, genres and legends. Which we could name and offer the same appreciation. But it might be wiser to dive headfirst into their very own realm of heady, occult and ancient lust for something sinful. They stomp on the terra like an antique copper golem and wield immense power with which they can choose to destroy or build. Filled with psychedelic jams and mammoth wall of sounds the four track Retronauts album just keeps on surprising with every turn they take. Especially on doom metal battleship closer Damāvand (16:33 minutes) which seems to show exactly what the album is all about and where the Prophets of Saturn are heading next. Onto a planet and a future filled with progressive doom, rock and occult psychedelic sounds. And thanks to the expert drumwork and intense vocals you are constantly in awe and praying that you may accompany theses Prophets on their next adventure… Simply stunning!

(Written by JK)

woensdag 14 oktober 2015

Lodestone – Non Fuit in Destertum

Lodestone – Non Fuit in Destertum EP

Self released – 2015

Stoner, Fuzz

Rated: ***

This has a really powerful guitar sound and the whole sonic stew sounds LOUD at whatever volume you play it at. Drawing on the fast and furious influences of Fu Manchu, Orange Goblin and Nebula, the Non Fuit in Destertum EP has all you want from a heavy stoner band and much more. Everything is drenched in thick fuzzed riffs and solos and as it goes from thuggish psychedelic rock to up-tempo, foot stomping tunes, the abrasive yet melodic vocals sit nicely on top of everything. This is for people who want some raw 100% stoner vibes. This is dirty fucked up rock’n’roll at its best - the band keep the riffs rolling along at white knuckle speed, economical solos stop anything getting too overblown or long, besides they ain’t got time for pointless fretboard wanking ‘cause here comes the next song, come on people, fucking jump on board this express train of stomping rock, Lodestone want to show you how this sort of thing should be done - in a genre that can be very boring in the wrong hands, this album is a breath of fresh air. Far too short though – gimmie an album fast!

(Written by Tony Maim)

Deafheaven – New Bermuda

Epitaph/Anti – 2015

Rock, Metal

Rated: ***

Back in 2013 Sunbather was rightfully received as a damn fine and almost sensational metal record. Deafheaven was able to combine black metal elements, screeching vocals, machinegun drums, shoegaze guitars and atmospheric soundscapes into one blissful outing. On the new record New Bermuda they try to perfect that strange mixture of dreampop and occult noise. But the six colossal desperate, blackened music offerings that still bring something uplifting fall a bit short this time. The bubbling black cauldron soup and punishing rituals once again turn into something soft and melancholic. But instead of offering refuge and solace, they seem to add to the despair of loss this time around. It will be hard to find middle of the road thinkers on this album, cause it will annoy, irritate or infuriate most listeners and will exalt the rest. But even so, that’s exactly what it is. Middle of the road and with no definite goal on the horizon…

(Written by JK)

dinsdag 13 oktober 2015

Reptile Master – In The Light Of A Sinking Sun

Blues For The Red Sun records – 2015

Sludge, Doom, Ear Bleeding

Rated: ***

If you like your Doom laced with filthy Sludge, welcome to Reptile Master. Sludge metal is the punishing sound that first hits your ears on In The Light Of A Sinking Sun - low-slung and primitive - and then, the riffs start... Huge magical riffs that slowly progress to different chord sequences but always with lumbering menace. The vocals are almost hardcore but perfectly suit this type of music. Like Iron Monkey meeting Sleep, these tracks are monolithic in nature and length but of such power that I can see a lot of traditional doom fans being put off by the unfettered violence that is on offer. This is one of the heaviest things I have heard this year and really is an awesome display of music that truly can stop you in your tracks. Jump aboard this unstoppable landslide of sonic attack and prepare to destroy everything in your path... ...HULK SMASH!

(Written by Tony Maim)

Blues For The Red Sun record label

Acid Western – Kisses In The Fire

Acid Western – Kisses In The Fire

Do you remember that damn fine French release from back in May? Those three amigo’s from Acid Western and the ruckus displayed on their Rampage album? Well, if not, here’s a video for their single Kisses In A Fire to get you reacquainted and ready to stomp the terra with them!