Red Cloud - The Ruby Armada Volume I & II

 

 

Red Cloud - The Ruby Armada Volume I & II
Self released – 2022
Rock, Alternative, Grunge, Stoner
Rated: *** / ****

The bands life started in 2011… “Their name an homage to the Lakota Chief Red Cloud, the band explores our relationship to nature, one another, and ourselves. With one eye on history and the other looking forward to the future, song lyrics delight in introspective travel, rally for freedom from personal enslavement, and take us on incredible Jules Verne-inspired journeys into the heart of the Earth…” Their opening statement, and they had me at Chief Red Cloud but also mentioning Jules Verne got me insanely excited and giddy like a little school girl... And it took me back to when we enjoyed their 2016 Ursa Minor release... The band released The Ruby Armada Volume I in April and are about to Volume II. Both feature five tracks, both move definitely the way of the grunge and the alternative rock and uses some stoner influences. Post grunge as some would say. And Volume I stays in that region altogether, using those starting points to create pop sensible songs that tell their stories but even have those chorus moments that envelop you and have you singing along. The new about to be released Ruby Arma Volume II opts for a bigger approach. Going for a wider, more theatrical almost progressive structuring at times. Opener No Left Turn and follow-up Journey To The Center Of The Earth are both examples, that offer up true song novellas, letting the vocals do as much of the talking as the guitar, the rhythms, the changes and the inspiring energy. Often feeling like you are climbing a mountain together; which feels majestic and timeless… And the view on top is always breathtaking…  

(Written by JK)

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Gozer – An Endless Static

 

 

Gozer – An Endless Static
Self released / Trepanation Recordings – 2022
Rock, Metal, Post, Black, Gaze, Sludge, Doom
Rated: ***

The three from Sheffield, UK that go by the name Gozer, (which actually means 'dude' in Dutch) are about to release their debut album An Endless Static. Where you will get to hear three of the four members of Archelon shift into the blackgaze, postdoom, atmospheric sludge that would become the Gozer project. Apparently recorded during the final hours of Archelon’s existence the five tracks give you this deep and dark, destitute and dream state metal that moves into more black territories as easily as it turns to post-rock. Harsh and brutal vocals hang over the compositions like a thunderstorm that’s about to break. Especially on the with French horn and keys embellished third track A Fading Light; where the tension keeps building and building and building till the inevitable top… Where it will push you over unsure if you are able to fly. An Endless Static might take a bit of extra effort to really absorb; but with the dynamic shifts, variations in momentum and the misty, sinister, yet all so clear post metal meets doom atmosphere there is enough noise to get lost in. And you might be lost forever in An Endless Static…

(Written by JK)

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Torrents – Dual Fates

 

 

Torrents – Dual Fates
Self-released / Mettle Media PR – 2022
Rock, Grunge, Alternative, Prog, Post
Rated: ****

Morgantown, West Virginia, one of those magical places in the USA that for some weird and possible supernatural reason has been the birthing place of many a great musical outfit that went on to produce some legendary heavy rock. Four-piece Torrents released their five-track Dual Fates mini-album right before the start of May and is aiming to join that great cabal of illustrious rock groups. The five tracks meander through the heavy rock landscape like a free-flowing river, banking left towards grunge or right towards more nineties alternative touches but always doing so with a high flow of progressive structuring and a steady stream of gracious melodies. With perhaps middle track Dream Eternal being the ultimate example of it all. Especially how that track creates that sweet moment of calm, as if we’ve weathered the storm together, before steering the boat towards the rapids again. With a keen ear for dynamics, the five tracks tell the story of a hero, waking up in a shallow grave with amnesia, with a choice to make… Your choice is obvious; you need to check out Dual Fates by Torrents… And not just because you want to know what happens to the hero…

(Written by JK)

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Soul Glo – Diaspora Problems

 

 

Soul Glo – Diaspora Problems
Epitaph – 2022
Rock, Punk, Hardcore, Metal
Rated: ****

How can we not mention Soul Glo? They’ve been bringing the existential, essential, and potentially most interesting mixture of punk, hardcore, metal and hip hop since 2014. And even though their earlier releases did not distill all that into a very worthwhile concoction; their new album Diaspora Problems does and brings all of this in perfect form. It’s an impressive album that seems to throw away every rulebook ever written and goes the way every great album was made; by jumping outside the box, and destroying the box, dancing upon the box till the box is nothing but a pile of rubble. A trombone, yes please! A saxophone, why the hell not! The metal riffs, the rants, the screams, the beats, the absolute savage take on hardcore and punk is breathtaking! Crushing, furious, intense, relentless, and blistering!

(Written by JK)

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The Tazers – Outer Space

 

 

The Tazers – Outer Space
Self released / Plug Music Agency / Rola Music – 2022
Rock, Psych, Fuzz, Indie, Stoner, Garage
Rated: *****

Outer Space, that’s where South African psych-rock band The Tazers want to take us with their new four track release with that very title. Four tracks of fuzzed out indie rock, that’s as psychedelic as they come and as liberating as you can handle. The flow of invigoration and cathartic energy flowing through those first two tracks will surely make you want to dance straight into the heart of something mystic and all of the beautiful people you happen to come across. It’s all happening man! The following two tracks are much more direct in their delivery; wild, peculiar, yet extremely well-crafted racket that will fire you up and as the sound shifts send you into a hotter realm all together. The sidewalk directness of all this powerful lust-driven, need to party rock ‘n roll, their thundering grungy chords, the fuzztone tunneling and the raw high energy, will blast you right through the glass ceiling and into the heart of the sun. Inspiring; The Tazers really have something special there!

(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…

Rumours
Helms Alee
Famyne
Terror Cosmico
Sergeant Thunderhoof
Moura
Ultima Radio
Gramma Vedetta
Slow Wake
Peth

Greenseeker – The Wish

 

 

Greenseeker – The Wish
StoneFly Records – 2022
Rock, Seventies, Proto, Metal, Stoner, Psych
Rated: ****

On their new album The Wish, the four from Portland, Oregon that listen to the name Greenseeker sound like one of those lost diamonds from the golden era of rock. The seven tracks on their newest release give you proto metal, seventies rock and all those luscious sounds that remind you of a time when the wave had not yet rolled back. Great guitarwork and scrumptious keys, guide you towards a magical land of yore, dark magic and mysterious characters provided courtesy of the two excellent vocalists… Some might think this means we are slowly descending into a musical recession; but nothing can be further from the truth. This is a celebration of everything good that once happened in heavy rock. This is music that might warp your brain a little. Not reactionary, no stampeding; just a pure and festive outburst of unpretentious good rock to transport you into another realm all together. Now where did I leave my mescaline?

(Written by JK)

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Stoner HiVe’s Quick Fire Friday

 

 

Stoner HiVe’s Quick Fire Friday

I think it was February when last we did a Quick Fire Friday round… Perhaps because it has become exceedingly difficult due to other work to do some HiVe work on Friday. But we are here now and are ready to do a pretty big one… And we know, we know, the albums, bands, artists and labels 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’s Quick Fire Friday! And it burns hot like molten lava!

Experiencia Tibetana – Vol II

Released on 4-20, was the second volume of the spiritual and cosmic drone rock outfit from Buenos Aires, Argentina called Experiencia Tibetana. Which as you might judge from the name immediately comes across as a Buddhist take on drone, ambient and experimental rock. Chanting and praying to the holy echoes and energy vibrations, this second volume contains four tracks that will give you almost fifty minutes of out of body experience and mindful contemplation. There’s doom here, there’s stoner here, but it will feel wholesome and energizing…

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Missicks – Forgotten Habits

We mentioned A Coffee With The Devil a while back... Alternative rock from Curitiba, Brazil, it’s called Missicks and implores quite some stoner rock touches that got popularized by Queens of The Stone Age. And then we hear some Muse moments and some Foo Fighters inspirations. Indeed, this Forgotten Habits single is pretty darn tasty! We hope to hear more from Missicks, more music, and more Missicks themselves… Might we also suggest starting a Missicks bandcamp page?

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Ølgod – Ølgod

Released last week, it’s the self-titled six track release by German growling doom sludge trio Ølgod. A trio comprised out of a vocalist, a drummer and a guitar player which give you some pretty malevolent snarls, vicious riffs and thundering drums. Out on Ogorekords, the blackened and noisy doom sludge will surely make the Devil run away in despair… Or play dress up and sprinkle you with fairy dust?

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Dirty Shades – Lift Off

Space Rock, Garage, Psychedelic and Progressive rock all rolled into one pretty tight four track EP. It’s called Lift Off and it’s the second EP by French foursome Dirty Shades. It’s starts off with a proper almost grungy banger called Ignition; continues that with a pop sensible rambler entitled Dazed before going into more psychedelic and progressive territories with Running For Your Life and battleship closer Trainwreck. It’s good to know there’s a Dirty Shades out there…

And that the EP is as a live session out there!

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 Ceased Sunfire – Sleepless

The Helsinki trio Ceased Sunfire released their debut three song EP Sleepless early April. Stoner metal with a high level of doom and growling aggression. Blackened and menacing, the trio of tracks will crush you as you feel the sky above crumble and the sun go out in the middle of day…

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War Honey – Last Woman Left At The Market

Back in March we received and wrote a few words about their Shard To Shatter album, released through Handstand Records. And now War Honey returns with a new four track EP called Last Woman Left At The Market. Going huge with gestures and moving your very core with its theatrics; the four tracks also just softy and sweetly trickly into your ear. Paradox abundant, its both gigantic and tiny in every way conceivable. They’ve got something special going on…

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Better Strangers – But I Don't Know Your Name

Foursome Better Strangers features Nic Collins on drums, the son of Genesis drummer Phil Collins. Which of course will immediately gets some ears turned their way. Well, their new single But I Don't Know Your Name, is out and fuses nineties alternative rock and metal with touches of industrial and arena rock; which gives it all a bit of a nu-metal vibe as well. There's a video! And it looks like a damn good book she's reading!

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Green Hog Band – Crypt of Doom

And we sign off with a bang! A doom explosion! The Green Hog Band released their Crypt of Doom album early May and it gives you eight tracks of doom marching and heady stoner grooves. Gravelly and incredibly sandy, much in debt to the vocals of Ivan Antipov. His barking rasp and growling whisky breath gives Crypt of Doom that extra edge of darkness… And we like the darkness of a Crypt of Doom!

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Samavayo – Payan

 

 

Samavayo – Payan
Noisolution – 2022
Rock, Stoner, Prog, Punk, Metal, Desert
Rated: *****

They played a home game last week at DesertFest Berlin and it has been spinning at my home since February. But we never got around to mentioning that awesome new Payan album by German trio Samavayo. Payan reached the second spot of the March Doom Charts with only a few points less than the Number One. But in my book it was already listed as one of the year-end-favorites. Not because of the brilliant guest spots by Igor Sydorenko (Stoned Jesus), Tommi Holappa (Greenleaf, Dozer), Nick DiSalvo (Elder) and Willi Paschen (Coogans Bluff). But simply because the songs, the riffs and the hooks just keep dragging you further and further along into an sultry ocean of sand. Most of the stoner influences go the way of aggression, the punk roots and seminal Shot Shot Shot Shot track, seems to pay homage to the Palm Desert and the Songs For The Deaf album by Queens Of The Stone Age in particular. After which a more Middle Eastern vibe starts to influence the compositions; Iranian singer Googoosh is responsible for the Talagh song and the lyrics for Payan have been written by Hossein Alavi. It all gives their stoner and desert rock even more depth, warmth and significance. Twenty years on, Samavayo has become one of the most versatile and hottest bands in heavy rock!

(Written by JK)

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Womack - III-Songs Of Downfall & Deliverance

 

 

Womack - III-Songs Of Downfall & Deliverance
Inverse Records – 2022
Stoner, Metal, Classic, Proto, Seventies
Rated: ***

They hail from Finland and on their third album III-Songs Of Downfall & Deliverance they give us ten tracks that do that stoner metal thing with a heavy dose of classic, seventies and proto rock. Guitarwork that dances with grace as much as it aims for ingenuity. Some moments you have the inkling you’re listening to traditional hardrock by way of the blues, at other times Womack surprises with some more sleaze or intense metal. Formed in 2010, they’ve come a long way since their 2014 release Prehab. And well, actually, Strays from 2016 was already an enormous step forward, and with III-Songs Of Downfall & Deliverance they take another big leap. It’s good. It’s Finnish and it will make you thirsty for more… And in case you go the way of album opener Back On The Hooch… Cheers! Kippis!

(Written by JK)

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The Doom Chart For May 2022

 

 

Doom Charts

The May 2022 edition of the Doom Charts is here! Only two entries carried over from the Forty we published back in April. I’m sure you can do the math, but that means, 38 new albums listed! Of a total of 255 that received votes. Although that wild ECSTATIC VISION album carried over from that post of pure adoration called Peroration. Madman Tony Maim wrote back then:
 
“ECSTATIC VISION have a heavy, sun-drenched psychedelic/stoner sound that pays tribute to 70’s hard rock. Vocals are clean and put through reverb for a great trippy effect. Riffs are plentiful and the dirty fuzzed sound is perfect to get your head moving. But – before you start to get too comfortable, ECSTATIC VISION throw in passages that start to pile on the intensity with meatier playing which morph Hawkwind with The Stooges! This is the good shit.”

And he was right! It might be the final post from Tony for a while, for he is taking a breather. Catch you on the flipside Madman! But, we’re also welcoming back Tom Hanno and the join-up of Monster Riff founder Pat Schober. Welcome on board, let’s set sail for uncharted waters and listen to some good and heavy stuff!

May is all sorts of heavy and heavy of all sorts! Just peruse that new edition of the Doom Charts! So many great releases once again...
 
Personal votes of the ones that made the list went out to: Wo Fat, Besvärjelsen, Ecstatic Vision, Geezer, Red Moon Shaman, UFOMAMMUT, The Same River, Stöner, Wucan, Helms Alee & Red Sun Atacama...
 
Will be doing a rundown of the entire May list in a row once again starting today! And starting with that awesome Red Sun Atacama album DARWIN!

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 2022 !

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

 

 

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


Midland
James LaBrie
Michael Schenker Group
Rodeo
The Black Keys
Smoke
Gnome
Last Fuzz
Besvärjelsen
Blue Heron

Rodeo – Moira

 

 

Rodeo – Moira
Sixteentimes Music – 2022
Rock, Stoner, Desert
Rated: ****

We thank that awesome Carson album for discovering Moira by Rodeo. Cause it is out on the same Swiss Sixteentimes Music label. Which as it turns out has been releasing some damn fine music for quite a few years. No Mute, Midnight Deadbeats, Slap Guru, Walross, Bronco and many more. But we’re here now, to talk about Moira by Rodeo. Rodeo will probably be the only stonerrock band that in the whole wide world that sings in Euskara, the language from the Basque part of Spain. On their third full-sized album the four give us fast paced stoner rock and high energy, intensely gritty desert rock. Not every track moves into stoner or desert rock territory; but all of it has that sundried edge, that sandy feeling and that rough and dirty atmosphere. Full on riffs and a maximum amount of groove! It’s time for a Rodeo!

(Written by JK)

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