Geezer – Groovy

Geezer – Groovy

Heavy Psych Sounds – 2020

Rock, Stoner, Psych, Blues

Rated: *****

Can you dig it? But ofcourse! Can  you dig it! Hell yeah! Ofcourse, and I would love to be a part of the Pat Harrington Appreciation Society! It is a given! We’ve been mentioning his Geezer outfit since Handmade Heavy Blues came out. Did we mention all of their majestic releases? Unfortunately not, I just discovered, even though we’ve loved everything they ever released. But now there is this new album called Groovy… and just for the opener track ‘Dig’ alone, I would give this five stars! Goddamn, what a magnificent and yes, groovy track! They’ve always had their fingers on the groove pulse; but this time around it is all about that heavy groove. The needle runs deeper into the groove than the Mariana Trench. Still the heavy psychedelic blues band they always were; there is still some cosmic jamming and there is still some seventies electric kool-aid to drink; but now with so much dynamic bob and bounch, that soon you will feel like there is no better feeling in the world than Geezer’s Groovy on full volume. It is, as they already mention themselves, full tilt boogie and that, as it turns out, is full tilt Geezer. Holy hell!

And we also wish Mr. Harrington a freakin awesome birthday today! Party well maestro! Have a great one!

(Written by JK)

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Heavy Psych Sounds

Louise Patricia Crane – Deep Blue

Louise Patricia Crane – Deep Blue

Peculiar Doll Records – 2020 (15th May)

Psych, Prog, Indie

Rated: *****

Cambridge-based Louise Patricia Crane explodes onto the scene in a dazzling, iridescent firework display of Psychedelia. Drafting in musicians from King Crimson, Kate Bush & Peter Gabriel to name a few, Deep Blue proffers the lush extravagance of Cocteau Twins coupled with the gaelic flavours of Afro-Celt and the dynamic expanse of Mansun. Opener 'Deity' sets the table with pulsing bass and trippy guitar noodles before crashing into a fathomless soundscape reminiscent of Mansun's "Taxloss". 'Snake Oil' drips with smoke-filled chalices and snaking bass grooves, interwoven with golden threads of flute and Gaelic percussion. A sweet Uillean pipe air leads 'Painted world';  ushering in a soft, introspective refrain made even more melancholic by haunting guitar melodies and rich layers of keyboard. The brooding, shimmery introduction to 'Cascading' is pure Cocteau Twins, evoking Raymnod's slinking bass and Guthrie's star-spangled guitar textures. Louise's voice throughout running the gamut of emotive exuberance like some hybrid of Liz Frazer and Kate Bush. Jakko Jakszyk's guitar work is striking, both subtle and bombastic, clever and thrilling in equal measures. Title track ''Deep Blue' opens with soft piano and mellow, harmonic vocals, folding through layers of undulating violin creeps and dream-laden keys.

'Ophelia' breaks into a Folk-Rock wistfulness before descending into ambient soundscapes capturing the rolling hills and valleys of the emerald Isle again very reminiscent of 'Victorialand' - era Cocteaus before bursting out in a finale of soaring guitars and anthemic majesty. The final tracks 'Isolde' and 'The Eve of The Hunter' both swimming in Cocteaus/Mansun wonderlands of lush productions, striking vocal displays and Indie sensibilities.

Deep Blue captures the essence of an artist who understands her influences and utilized them to forge an all-encompassing smorgasbord of Psychedelia with great flair, vision and execution. An absolute must-have for any fans of 4AD, King Crimson and Kate Bush. A phenomenal album that will live long in the memory.

(Written by Reek of STOOM)

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Killa Babes - We Are The Killa Babes

Killa Babes - We Are The Killa Babes

Self released - April 2020

Nwobhm, Stoner, Glam

Rated: *****

Add the Killa Babes to the esteemed ranks of Canadian heavy rockers, with their bold entrance made via debut EP We Are The Killa Babes. The group from Kitchener, Ontario combine the catchy rhythms and guitar theatrics of NWOBHM and glam with a rougher edge of stoner rock to deliver a fun, hard-hitting sound with bite. Opener "Doctor Officer" starts the show with chugging 80s riffs and a fist-pumping chorus, layered with crunching double guitars and topped off by the excellent vocals. Coarse and deep, the singing adds an element of punk danger to the music, keeping the tunes threatening while still reveling in throwback fun. Follow-up "Some Dogs Don't Last" makes the Babes' Sabbath influence known, laying down a stomping riff with creeping bass to make Ward and Geezer proud. The vocals sneer and accost, and a ripping guitar solo sets ears ablaze before shifting to a galloping riff from the school of Maiden. The last two tracks of the EP show no slowing down either and add in even more elements to the heavy mix. The adrenaline shot of "I Don't Know" leads off with anthemic punk shouts before diving into uptempo, razor sharp licks. Highlight track and closer "Going To Japan" adds some tongue-in-cheek shenanigans with the guitars mimicking Eastern strings, followed by a winding, thumping riff a la Them Crooked Vultures. We Are The Killa Babes is a blast of an EP that mixes an unexpected blend of influences to stellar results. Catchy, gritty, and wildly fun, Killa Babes are ones to watch after just a taste of their sound.

(Written by Shastabeast)

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MIEA - Chaos and Perfections

MIEA - Chaos and Perfections

Slovak Metal Army - June 2020

Prog, stoner, melodic, doom

Rated: ****

Hailing from Prague, progressive four piece MIEA deliver their sophomore album Chaos and Perfections, drawing from across the spectrum of heavy to form a complex and arresting sound. Quaking riffs and creeping doom passages trade off with colorful prog and melodic rock, often in the span of a single song. All the more impressive is that it all somehow meshes together without ever feeling disjointed. Tracks "Mammatus" and "Epiphany of dying sun" showcases the group's penchant for anthemic atmospheres while veering from stoner rock chugs to proggy flourishes, always aided by the show-stealing vocals. Able to growl or soar as the music demands, MIEA's catchy singing adds layers of emotion and energy that always fit the instrumentation like a glove. Screams herald the finale of "Under the healing stone", whose haunting steady beat shifts to swirling, spaced out doom, eventually building to an up-tempo chug and wailing solo. Another highlight of the album is epic cut "Your priest can't heal me", a perfect Frankenstein's monster of  doom, melodic metal, and guitar assaults that even border on black metal. Despite the songs' varied sounds, a common thread that runs through it all is the uplifting way the music rises to meet the vocals, pushed along by nimble drumming that never stays still. Chaos and Perfections is a shape shifting release of impressive musicianship, combining a wide range of styles to create a captivating and epic sound as heavy as it is unique.

(Written by Shasta Beast)

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

Stoner HiVe’s

Top 10 Most Listened Albums Last Week…

Alain Johannes

Wolftooth

Wolfhand

Romano Nervoso

Orange Goblin

The Dhaze

Pyraweed

Beesus

Black Rainbows

Kayleth

Another week has passed and it was another week filled with lots of different albums. The ten above got the most spins. But there is one that is now on heavy rotation and will surely be for the rest of next week. The self-titled debut by Vitskär Süden. I already saw it mentioned by many of the Doom Chart Contributors the past week, but had not yet found the time to check it out. Even though the Doom Charts ofcourse premiered their first video a couple of days ago: Trickle of The Snail! It has everything you love and yet is entirely different! Go read what Frazer Jones had to say about it on his Desert Psychlist! And after that, check out the rest of the albums! Cause they’re all freakin tasty!

Maim – Infected Songs

Maim – Infected Songs

Self released – 2020

Punk, Core, Sludge, Poetry

Rated:

“Working in a hospital where Covid-19 has struck has had a profound effect on me. Deaths, anger, an invisible enemy and a government who has tried to destroy the NHS now calling us "heroes". This is the music in my head at the moment. Distortion and bitterness are the order of the day. This was recorded from April 2nd to 17th. It's not pretty but neither is my head state!” Madman Tony Maim does the work and saves lives! He also writes for us and has decided to once again fire up his Black Insect Laughter blog.  We know him from other musical efforts like 3 Chord Propaganda and now there’s Maim. Not to be confused with the brutal death metal band from Sweden; Maim is the Madman and therefor only just as his nom de plume for these five tracks! This is not easy listening, it will not soothe you and it will not make the stay at home situation any easier. It will however give you something to screech along with and voice your anger. Madman Tony Maim is the sludge punk poet you can turn to for those twisted hours of need!

(Written by JK)

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Stoner HiVe’s Quick Fire Friday !

Stoner HiVe’s Quick Fire Friday Friday

It’s still Friday somewhere right? 

Or perhaps not… But all days seem to blend into one another anyway right? And the entire world is still in lockdown in fear of the disease slowly mutating into a zombie producing plague. The entire world. Or perhaps just most of the western world. What do we miss most? The festivals cancelled and already missed, the upcoming festivals which are cancelled and will have to be missed and all those live gigs we had planned to go to. It could leave us with more time to check out all of that amazing music being released on a daily basis. But we’ve taken on different work which has only made it more difficult for us. But we forge ahead, hoping that one day we will see those albums, songs and bands we hear, will perform live somewhere and we will be there, in attendance with a beer in our hand and smiles all around! That is the dream! And one to hold on to! And we know, we know, the albums and bands deserve more than the few words we will jot down here. More attention and more of our time! But there is so much out there and we just simply cannot ever do it all justice. So here it is. The Stoner HiVe Quick Fire Friday. And its burns hot like molten lava! 

The Uneven – Punching Bag

It came out last week and was premiered on Steve’s Outlaws Of The Sun. We’re talking about Punching Bag by The Uneven. Nineties alternative rock mixed with metal and overtones of grunge and stoner. Straight out of Nashville, the trio knows how to kick ass and rock hard! We look forward to their debut album… And until then we shall keep hitting the Punching Bag out of frustration that we don’t have more of The Uneven!

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Kalabrian Syndrome – Kalabrian Syndrome

The Greek three known as Kalabrian Syndrome have only been jamming together since October 2019 and decided to record and release their very first self-titled four track EP back in February 2020. Right before this damn crisis began. Instrumental stoner with a metal twist and a progressive take on heaviness. But I guess that’s pretty logical when you come out swinging like an instrumental stoner jam band with a love for great tension arcs. Damn good!

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Domination – Silent Scream

Heavy metal! Straight from the war torn country of Brasil comes a power metal trio named Domination. And they released their Evil Seed album back in 2019. The new single Silent Scream just received a lyric video treatment. For all the metal heads that want to scream along! Loudly!

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Ruff Majik – All You Need Is Speed

A new single from Ruff Majik through Mongrel Records called All You Need Is Speed will give you all the action and energy you need! It will rev up yer engine till breaking point! It will make you go full speed, through the eye of a beer can and up a hot girl’s leg with no quarter asked and non given! Yes sir, Ruff Majik is here to give us all a whiff of those kicks we’ll never know!

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Mongrel Records

Orbital Junction – Creep

Creep is the first single from Orbital Junction’s debut album, soon to be announced and hopefully soon to be released. It has this lumbering giant attitude and a crooked take on stoner metal. It will break your neck within seconds! Indeed, heavy is as heavy does and Orbital Junction has a penchant for it all!

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The Dhaze – Deaf Dumb Blind

The Dhaze – Deaf Dumb Blind

Sound Effect Records – 2020

Rock, Alternative, Stoner, Grunge, Metal, Prog

Rated: ****

A power trio from the outskirts of Napels, Italy called The Dhaze released their debut album Deaf Dumb Blind three months ago and it has been spinning quite regularly over here. The eight tracks follow a path through the dark side of human nature and have this new age alternative rock sound going on that immediately pulls you in. The expertly use different sides of hardrock, grunge and even AOR to complete the overall heavy psychedelic sound and progressive metal compositions. Very impressive grungy vocals give it a rawer edge, but with a production value so crystal clear the brutal side quickly takes a backseat to the more languid approach of metal and prog and hardrock. Every track seems to have a certain special something, making you fall in love with one of them, and then the next time another. Currently my special love goes out to Death Walks With Me. But, there are so many different approaches to enjoy here, it leaves every listening session open for new interpretation. And it leaves The Dhaze open to explore each of those sides even more; cause all of them fit the three like a glove!

(Written by JK)

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Faith In Jane - Mother To Earth

Faith In Jane - Mother To Earth

Self released - May 2020

Doom, Stoner, Psych, Southern

Rated: ****

Maryland heavy treasures Faith In Jane return with their seventh release in almost as many years, and deliver once again. True to their method, the newest album Mother To Earth sees the trio add creative layers to their trademark sound, topping off their psychedelic doom and stoner crunch with classic 70s licks and some southern flavor to boot. The guitar soars, the thick bass grooves clearly in the mix, and the drums switch deftly between mad rushes and delicate play. Needless to say, the deep vocals are as strong as ever, both coarse and stirring. Opener "The Circle" begins with an uptempo rush that quickly launches into a psyched out solo, starting the album off at full speed. The following throwback shuffle's tones are warm without losing heft or the rumbling low end, and is just a taste of things to come. Across the LP's ten tracks, Faith In Jane range from bluesy southern flair in "Patient and Simple" to the eerie stop-start doom of "Weight Of A Dream" and the title cut's stomping proto riffs. Standout epic "The Well" brings the group's wide range of strengths fully to bear in its eight minute plus runtime. Quick, ringing licks from the school of Soundgarden cut into the slow roll, and soon an upbeat southern boogie coated in fuzz takes over. The track swells and accelerates into a crunching attack, then comes back to Earth to resume its doomed groove amid trippy solos and deft cymbals. Faith In Jane have outdone themselves yet again on Mother To Earth, an epic ride that's both fresh and unmistakably theirs. The added 70s and southern touches flow together seamlessly with the group's doom and roll, creating an album of entrancing, toe-tapping heavy brilliance.

(Written by Shasta Beast)

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Wolftooth – Valhalla

Wolftooth – Valhalla

Ripple Music – 2020

Metal, Stoner, Doom

Rated: ****

Yes, we know. We are constantly on the verge of turning into a Ripple Music hawker. But as we already mentioned in the War Cloud rant; they just seem to be releasing amazing stuff constantly. And yes, Wolftooth’s new album Valhalla is no different! Ten tracks of heavy metal of ten tons of heavy metal, with stoner trucking and doom infused goodness. This is new age stoner metal that still manages to grab back to Sabbath as well. But that, we must confess, might almost entirely be because vocalist guitarist Chris Sullivan sounds a bit like Ozzy. A bit, on certain moments. Powerful riffs and solid solo’s step back into the darkness for some great twin action and that rumbling bass! Damn! A very retro styled drum sounds for the perfect chug. Just check out that title track, cause it has everything neatly packed into almost five minutes of pure heavy metal perfection. And follow-up Fear For Eternity antes up with more aggression, more thrash and even more heavy metal action. Really, Ripple, you bring us Wolftooth! And Wolftooth brings us Valhalla!

(Written by JK)

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Ripple Music

Mooch – Hounds

Mooch – Hounds

Self released – 2020

Rock, Stoner, Desert, Blues

Rated: *****

Hounds is the debut full-sized album by Mooch, a heavy rock outfit from Montreal. It was recorded in their hometown Segpop Studios and at the Jalamanta Studio with productional aid from Brant Bjork. And it’s audible; there is this intense sun dried vibe going on and the guitar crackles with shimmering heat. It’s a powerful desert fueled, blues inspired sound. Add to this all the Jim Morrison colored voice of guitarist Ben Cornel and you’ve got something classic on your hands. A record that might even go on to become something very mythical in the near future. There is so much to enjoy here, a fantastic groove, impressive compositions and a closing track that will leave you longing for so much more. Cause the build-up, the different tracks you hear on this album while you approach that title-track closer of Hounds is already damn amazing. As we already mentioned, fuzzy stoner, gritty desert, lo end grunge, seventies love and diesel blues. It’s all there! And then to close it all off with what might be the best track of the record is just a pristine and wild idea! The Hounds are loose!

(Written by JK)

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Stoner HiVe’s Top 10 Most Listened To Albums Last Week…

Stoner HiVe’s

Top 10 Most Listened To Albums Last Week…

Mooch

Foot

Red Void

Horisont

Slowbot

The Astral Void

The Alligator Wine

Baleful Creed

Baron Crane

Hochen

Holy hell! The amount of releases, the amount of beautiful heaviness released every day! And we have so little time to listen to it all! But whenever we have some time, we do, and we do it with love and lust! And even though we haven’t been able to listen to all of those beautiful creatures over and over we have been able to listen to a diverse bunch of beasts! So here’s 10 of the most listened to albums! Check’m out! Check’m all out!

Horisont – Sudden Death

Horisont – Sudden Death

Century Media – 2020

Rock, Seventies, Hard

Rated: ***

We’ve been mentioning Horisont on the HiVe ever since they started. Their Second Assault album even made it to the Number 16 position of the Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown of 2012, which received 56 votes that year. And we’ve been digging the fact that Horisont has always made the record they wanted to make. Which does lead to the albums being a bit uneven perhaps, throwing their influences and loves around like a rollercoaster ride. Highly entertaining and exciting; but it does lead to a different kind of listening session. Especially in comparison to Horisont live. Cause being thrown around in a packed steamy venue fits the experience, being thrown out of your easy chair isn’t always exactly what one wants… And guess what, on their new album Sudden Death they’ve decided to even up the ante on that one! It is still seventies rock; but every aspect of those seventies come up in what form or another. A little bit of prog here, some folk there or even AOR for a guiding line. But a lot of it just seems to be seventies pop based melody love! And we love those sunny upbeat melodies; but we do miss a bit of that hardrock sound we know Horisont also possesses!

(Written by JK)

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