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REVIEW: Grifter - Self Titled (Ripple Music)

Heavy Rock from the UK
Grifter - Good Day for Bad News

Grifter fires on all cylinders on their new self-titled album. Full of hooky boogie rock, soulful and sincere vocals, and boasting a mammoth sounding production. Having a couple EP's under their belt, the time is right to finally show the world that Grifter means business, with their first full length album.

Right from the get-go, this UK based trio comes out swinging, and pummels your ear hole with a barrage of bluesy riffs and booty shaking time signatures. Taking the usual influences of bands like KISS, AC/DC and Motörhead and brewing them up with the more modern soundings of Clutch and Corrosion of Conformity, is really nothing new you might be thinking, but these guys do it better and with more finesse then most of the bands out there.

Sounding dirty and raucous, this is the perfect soundtrack to a night of debauchery. I can imagine walking into any random strip club with this blasting out of the speakers or just chillin' with some friends at a bbq. Either way you slice it, this is party music and has that certain something that will keep you coming back for repeat listens. Thanks to the fine folks over at Ripple Music for stamping this to plastic. Look for an October 4th release for this album of sonic majesty, both digitally and on CD. Cheers!

by Adam Walsh

Ripple Music * Myspace * Big Cartel * Bandcamp * Facebook

Ripple Music on Bandcamp

Track List

01 Good Day for Bad News

02 Alabama Hotpocket

03 Asshole Parade

04 Strip Club

05 Young Blood, Old Veins

06 Bucktooth Woman

07 Preacher and the Devil

08 Bean

09 Piss and Gas

10 Unwelcome Guest

11 Gone Blues

Pre Order from

Ripple Music

DEMOLAND: Blastronaut Demo 2011

StonerRock from the UK
Blastronaut - Synthetic Sun

Super impressive 4 track Demo release from Manchester based Blastronaut. Having only been playing together for 6 months, Blastronaut was formed in August 2010 from bands such as The Shadowcops, Archer and Thade and have produced a 4 track demo any Desert Stoner Rock fan would surely appreciate...Major influences are The Melvins, Fu Manchu, Clutch and Orange Goblin

The ethos – is painfully simple;

We are a heavy rock band in a long line of heavy rock bands who are desperately in love with monumentally huge riffs combined with visceral choruses and sweet, sweet melodies.

Check out Blastronaut playing their 1st Gig on 23.04.11 at The Roadhouse in Manchester as part of the 'Japanchester' fund raiser for the Japan Tsunami disaster...be there

Blastronaut Links

Track List

01 A Welcome Disturbance

02 Synthetic Sun

03 Piggy

04 Strategy of Buying Blind

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REVIEW: Groan - The Sleeping Wizard

StonerDoom from the UK
Groan - Sleeping Wizard

Over the hills they come marching... hail the new dooooooom!!!

Groan is a delicious stoner/doom outfit hailing from the UK. If you are hunting for the perfect cross between these styles, then Groan is for you! The debut album 'The Sleeping Wizard' is a steamroller-like doomsday machine that eats everything or anything in its way...this wizard has been awakened from his beauty sleep and has started his engine...so beware!

What I remember Groan released a demo one or two years back which was quite a pleasant acquaintance, but comparatively to "the wizard" the demo feels pretty anaemic and is at least five times weaker than the newcomer. This time "The wizard" have cooked up an almost impenetrable sludge of anxiety, malaise and hell that he have chosen to divide into seven pissed off parts. The heavily armed riffs literally cutting into one's mind and the singer sounds more desperate than ever, this makes me more than happy to open these seven "doors" of hell more than once.

The Sleeping Wizard starts with the words; over the hills they come marching...burning and raping with glee...history's written by winners...the losers just beg and they plea. The words marching and winners match well to what these guys are doing, the lyrics comes from the first act in order named 'Ride of the Antichrist' which is a worthy introduction to this hell trip towards the purgatory. Bands like Sleep, Wall of sleep, Spirit caravan, Electric wizard and Suma comes to mind and just like these dignities Groan delivers magic.

Groan groans on with the titbit 'Witchy Woman' which is a slut in a saints' clothing that whips the shit out of any perverted monk, and Groan is also whipping themselves into my heart as I howl of doomsday enthusiasm. The fuzz is just as thick as it should be and the painful melodies are shuffling out of the speakers. Imagine a smelly stain that will not wash away, or a Madonna statue that guffaws every time a priest says a prayer, so damn it is. Do you get it?

The third gem 'Psychedelic demons' along with one of my favourites 'Deadly Omens' blows the toupee of Jesus himself and may the holy cross to melt with envy. Once again Groan tops the list of the most unwanted in heaven and as we all know; that's a good sign of good music...or what do you think? Tons of virulent strains, which are interspersed with accurate drumming and on top of that a lament whose echo will be heard in a thousand years.

Groan ends the journey with the cosmic doom act 'Ancient Space (master of time)' that resembles a cross between Sleep and Suma. Unfortunately, this gem is to short (4 minutes) and you barely have time to do an inverted sign of the cross, or even lighten your bong before it ends. If I had been Groan, I would have added at least five minutes more to this excellent piece. Damn you Groan!

Reviewed by Tobias Beament

Doomanoid Records * Myspace * Facebook * HMV * Play.com

Track List

01 Ride Of The Antichrist

02 Witchy Woman

03 Psychedelic Demons

04 Deadly Omens

05 The Martyr King

06 Sleeping Wizard

07 Ancient Space (Master Of Time)

REVIEW: Esper Scout - Kids & Pets E.P 2011

AlternativeRocK from the UK
Esper Scout - Minert Revs

Sounds of a fresh rocking Female vocalist ... it's got me hooked. It brings me back to those days of old, back in the early 90's when music got fresh again. The View Above certainly has a great sound, musically commercial, though not a bad thing at all, as more bands need to sound like this on the radio.

I catch myself head nodding. Not overly powerful, the songs are just so catchy. Wallet of Brass Coins, reminds me of those days I look so forward to, summer, flowers blooming, and the stars as crisp as can be at night, to stare at the moon, and whisper to its smile. The dual guitars give this song some force, almost like it wants to break thru with a quick thunderstorm, only to fall back in its beauty of the sun, of the soul, there's no denying this song carries some weight. This song could easily be their single; I see no reason why it has not been picked up in the UK.

Oh shit, here comes the fuzz. Infectious, slamming guitar intro. Up-tempo, Miner Revs is easily the heaviest song on the EP. Its very riff catchy. I feel myself lying down on a sea of grass, mesmerized by the ferocity of the song (think L7) but better. Just a terrific beat, never lets up, the groove remains steady throughout.

The last song, Ralphf is another action packed song, though not nearly as catch as the first three, it certainly still strikes at the right point, and carries some weight that gives it an aggressive edge. Once again the guitars play such a perfect role in the songs. The solos are played with perfection. No amateurs are these ladies.

Esper Scout is an all female Alt. group that would have not looked out of place in the early 90's. That is not to say they do not bring anything fresh to the table. I can tell you with all honesty that this is one of the first all female acts that I have thoroughly enjoyed. The singer at times is so soft & beautiful, and then at the flick of a switch, she's aggressive, yet maintains that beautiful voice. The music is outstanding, not groundbreaking, but really, what is. You'd be a fool not to catch these ladies live. I can only hope they can get a full length cd out, and expand on the promise they show here.

Reviewed by William Bissonette

Esper Scout Links

Bandcamp

Myspace

Facebook

Track List

01 View From Above

02 Wallet Of Brass Coins

03 Minert Revs

04 Ralpf

REVIEW: Desert Storm - Forked Tongues

HeavyRock from the UK
Desert Storm - Forked Tongues

I guess I kind of missed the boat on this band from the UK, seems they are making quite a name for themselves all over the world wide web, and deservedly so. Their 2nd album entitled "Desert Storm" is a riff filled groove orgy of the highest caliber.

The album seems to be split into different musical directions, while still maintaining the "Desert Storm" underneath it all. The first couple tracks "Cosmic Drips" and Ol' Town have a soulful, southern, Clutch vibe to them. The middle portion of the album serves up a more doom-laden Down meets Crowbar gristle.

The title track "Forked Tongues" is a massive punch in the proverbial gut and really shows the metal side of Desert Storm, giving me goose pimples, like Pantera did back in the day. "The Void" shows off Matt Ryan's vocal prowess, sounding a wee-bit like Disturbed's front man David Draiman during the verses. "Connected" is a somber acoustic number that takes you away from the fury for a almost five minutes and is really quite beautiful in its delivery. Rounding out "Forked Tongues" is the track "Pocketwatch" the final track, which takes all these elements that are present before it and puts them all together on one final middle-finger salute.

What we have here is another great album from start to finish. That wears it heart on its sleeve and takes no prisoners. Call it stoner, call it southern, call it metal just don't call it late for dinner.

Reviewed by Adam Walsh

Tracklist

01 Cosmic Drips

02 Ol' Town

03 South We Roll

04 Smokes 'n' Liquor

05 The Jackal

06 Forked Tongues

07 The Void

08 Connected

09 Pocketwatch

DEMOLAND: We Are Goose! Ep

StonerRock from the UK
We Are Goose! - Light Speed Life

We are Goose! hail from the UK and like all things ‘spacey’. Influences are Hawkwind, Farflung, Sabbath, dub and a multitude of others in the infinite corridor of music. Formed to fill an obvious black hole in the music scene locally and universally. Also with a love of vintage equipment, the warmth from an old unwanted, unloved amp is immense! The Goose are four, Jarve Goose plays the guitar, Simon Goose the bass, Tim Goose, drums and percussion and Nik Goose vocals and analogue synth. Four good mates with a vision. UK only dates at the moment. Will the Goose spread its mighty wings and leave this island? Who can tell?
Fans of Smoke In Sunshine, Six Sigma will have these tunes cranked to LOUD. Download the 4 Track EP at the link below.

Myspace
Reverbnation
Man In The Shed Records

Tracklist

01 How To Operate Your Brain

02 Heavy Creamers

03 Light Speed Life

04 Burn Too Fast (Demo)

Download 320k

DEMOLAND: XII Boar

HeavyStonerSludge from the UK
XII Boar - Train Wreck

XII Boar, Trainwreck man or myth , This band kicks serious skulls with there all time driving force of Sludge vs Stoner Fuckery! Fuzzed out , Junked up! These cats will Blow you to THY KINGDOM COME ..
Website
Myspace

Track List

01 Train Wreck

02 Beg, Borrow, Steal

03 Sludge

04 S.K.O.L

Download 320K

Wiht Signs to Doomanoid Records

DoomRocK from the UK
Wiht - And the Thunder Rolls

Wiht are pleased to announce their signing to Doomanoid Records and the impending release of their next LP ‘The Harrowing of the North’.

Wiht are a Leeds-based trio who started out in March 2009 and whose epic, instrumental style straddles doom, stoner and psyche. Their self-titled debut EP, Wiht (November 2009), won them critical acclaim, described as ‘moving’ and ‘massive- 9/10’ (Planetfuzz.com), and ‘other worldly’, ‘set apart from other bands- 9/10’ (Ukmetalunderground.com). The band have played across the UK, supporting Brant Bjork and the Bros, Humanfly, Khuda and A Forest of Stars, and made it through to the final of the Battle For Damnation Festival in 2010.

Wiht’s first full album The Harrowing of The North is a two song, forty minute concept piece, set for a springtime release through Doomanoid Records. Taking influence thematically from the subjugation of the North of England by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it tells the troubled history of doomsday-era Yorkshire- the king massacred it’s people and destroyed the land to ensure it held no economic or cultural worth and would remain under his subservient rule.

Recording begins early February at Ghosttown recordings in Leeds.

Wiht on Myspace
Wiht on Reverbnation
Doomanoid on Myspace
Doomanoidrecords.com

Get the 2009 3 track Ep Here on Planetfuzz

REVIEW: Alunah - Call Of Avernus

HeavyRock from the UK
Alunah - Call Of Avernus

For the British quartet Alunah (formerly sans h), their full-length debut represents a huge step forward from their previous Fall to Earth EP. The band has honed in on a focused, driven, fuzzy stoner/sludge sound, while frontwoman Sophie has really come into her own as a vocalist.

The most obvious comparison is Acid King, if not just for the “female-fronted stoner-band” factor, but the fact that they sound an awful lot like Acid King at times. Not a bad band to imitate, in my books.

Opening track “Living Fast in an Ancient Land” has single potential, a catchy blend of early Electric Wizard and Acid King worship, though at 6:44, it's a tad too long for radio... “Eternal Sea,” arguably the slowest number, features some crushing sludge riffs amidst tribal drumming patterns. “Circle of Stone” starts off mellow for a couple minutes, before their signature fuzz-wah combo kicks in for a rollicking solo.

“Higher” is a tune that'll getcha there, with its droning OTIS intro giving way to something slightly faster and fuzzier. “Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn” ends the album on a high note, a gritty, sludgy number that wouldn't sound too outta place amongst some of the slower stuff on the new High On Fire—aside from the female vocals, that is. I dig the Cisneros-style bass solo/cowbell interplay around the three-minute mark that serves as a stepping stone for the titular chorus.

With nine tracks stretching nearly 50 minutes in length, and all but a couple surpassing the five-minute mark, the album does tend to drag on at times, but there's enough diversity and vitality here to make Call of Avernus an interesting listen.

Reviewed by Gruesome Greg

Track List

01 Living Fast In An Ancient Land

02 Call Of Avernus

03 Song Of The Sun

04 Magick Lantyrn

05 Eternal Sea

06 Dance Of Dionysus

07 Circle Of Stone

08 Higher

09 Hermetic Order Of The Golden Dawn

REVIEW: Dusteroid - TyrannoSonor

HeavyRock from the UK
Dusteroid - Defy

Once again the almighty riff-magician has swung his wand, this time Dusteroid have the chance to show their strength...finally the English riff machine is back with a BANG!

On the latest release ‘Tyrannosonor’ Dusteroid cooks you a dynamite soup made of diesel, solid rock, shrapnel, acid and gun powder. Spiced with a whole bucket of riff magic enough to get your brain to melt. If you compare the debut album ‘Albedo Zero’ with ‘Tyrannosonor’ I consider that a big improvement has been made in both songwriting and performance! This time the dusteroids seems more confident in what they produce and the songs are more “hit-oriented”, and have enough punch to overturn a whole building!

Immediately when Dusteroid starts to spin you can hear that something big is happening.

The heavily-armed ‘Defy’ oozes of dynamic moster riffs and has everything a perfect heavy rock tune should have. ‘Defy’ is a psychedelic whirlwind that blows away everything without leaving anything to chance. Dusteroid crashing on to the next act, ‘Highroller’ that kicks as hard as its predecessor, perhaps not as addictive but faaaar from bad. As I mentioned earlier, there has been a lot of improvement on the musical level, from being a mediocrity these fuzznauts has grown much stronger as a band, and seems to be more tuned than ever. Take a big dose of Kyuss, mix it up with an ever larger dose of Dozer, On A Pale Horse and Mannhai, and you get Dusteroid.

Further tracks to be mentioning is the powerful ‘Tomahawk Storm Trooper’ and ‘Whiskey Overdose’ and not to forget the last track ‘Dusty Road’ All three are riff canons of higher rank, an orgy in heavy stoner mixed with bluesy jam parts á la fuzz de luxe.

I hate to say this but I would have added at least two songs more because the album feels a bit to short (you still get 53 mins.), I just can’t get enough of it, I need moooooore to satisfy my hunger! Short or not, this heavy riff machinery don’t fuck around and know their instruments too well and are one of the few English stoner bands that produces records. Dusteroid will probably defend the UK stoner rock throne for a long time to come ....think big, think bigger, think DUSTEROID!

Reviewed by Tobias Beament

Myspace

Bandcamp

Amazon

Track List

01 Defy

02 Highroller

03 Tomahawk Storm Trooper

04 Whiskey Overdose

05 Imprisonment

06 The Rolling Head

07 Holy Sin

08 Dusty Road

09 Hidden Track

DEMOLAND: Conan

Doom from the UK
Conan - Satsumo

Conan are a Caveman Battle Doom trio from the grim North of England. They summon the heavy riff from the ungodly land and crush the skull of the unbeliever. Waves of sludge and graves of foes shall be the aftermath of their ritual.

Track List

01 Battle In The Swamp
02 Satsumo
03 Krull

Myspace
Throne Records

REVIEW: Wiht - Wiht Ep

DoomRocK from the UK
Wiht - And the Thunder Rolls

It's always nice to get something in the mail that you, you know nothing about! Wiht are a new three piece to emerge from Leeds England. It's kind of weird, how certain parts of the world deliver particular styles of rock, Majority of the stuff I receive from England is of the doom variety and never seems to stray from this genre. But Wiht have managed to set free an EP that is not only interesting but to a degree somewhat moving!

At first I was stranded on this EP, is it what I think it is, or is it... But after a few listens and time away from the record I found myself back in there groove seat and found new confidence in what Wiht was trying to portray on this massive three song EP. Majority of the songs start out full faced, hard hitting traditional stoner rock styled, but as you get deeper in the songs the mood changes to a more moving sedate like post doom style.

Wiht have no trouble writing songs, there structure of songs is impeccable, perfectly balanced but somewhat depressing, with every power riff there is a die down waiting to knock you down on your ass and leave you sort of feeling perplexed! Describing Wiht's sound is not easy! I would say if you took Jecano, Sleep, Yob and added some ISIS, 5ive and Paik you would have a pretty good image of what Whit's sound is about.

Wiht as a three piece work perfectly together, there sound is massive and the way the music is structured has no need what so ever for a vocalist. Instrumental bands have the hardest gig as artists, there music must capture you in every sense of the word, what Wiht have done here on their first EP should be applauded, not only have they only been jamming since October of 2009 they have managed to produce an honest no frills EP that is totally worth every penny spent.

Wiht strike me as a band that would destroy live! This EP is near live sounding, they haven't opted for extra baggage in the mix, no over dubs, and excessive guitar heroics just true honest ROCK! These guys can definitely play, but special mention goes to Rick Contini on drums! He does and miraculous job and is the back bone of the band and definitely the key to why Wiht don't ever stray to boredom status.

This is not an EP you would play at parties etc, it's far more intimate , more a solitude record and a record that should be listened in its entirety in the right mood , lights dimmed no interruptions oil projector and a bowl of god's gift you get my drift :). Wiht will be a band to watch for, this EP will pave long and prosperous journey for them both, live and in the studio. If a band that has only been together for such a short time can produce a self recorded self funded EP of this magnitude then the future looks bright. I encourage you all to pick up this EP I urge you all to look outside the square and open your minds to what Wiht have to offer! Great job guys, looking forward to the next chapter

Reviewed by Matt Frighetto

Myspace

Track List

01 Into Ruin

02 And the Thunder Rolls

03 Vasta

REVIEW: Trippy Wicked & the Cosmic Children of the Knight - Movin On

StonerRocK from the UK
Trippy Wicked & the Cosmic Children of the Knight - Movin On

If you dig up all those hidden/forgotten trips on the fields where the Woodstock festival once took place and put'em in a meat grinder along with captain Ahab's beard, a pair of dusty sun glasses, some good old evilness, and a giant fuzz pedal and grind it and you get close to what these fuzzlords are up to!

Trippy Wicked & the Cosmic Children of the Knight are back, this time with their self-released full length album 'Movin' on', and yes I agree, let's move on, but not until you read this! The music is quite doomy and gloomy but not all of it, there are also a lot of stoner and acid rock influences in the arsenal and these three DIY lads from the UK seem to have a great time together. It's vivid with lots of catchy deep-dives and the lyrics are about growing beards, girls, aliens, loneliness and pirates. In other words, they sing about everything that cross their minds.

The opening title track 'Movin' On' and the following hell raising 'Sea Shanty' gives a hint of what to come and proves that 'the children of the knight' are not only (k)night creatures but also great musicians. Both songs are like two fists of fury that crushes everything in their way, the music is heavy and neatly arranged and are similar to both doom metal and fuzz rock.

The album feels a bit sprawled and the guys in Trippy Wicked & the Cosmic Children of the Knight don't seem to know which leg to stand on from time to time. But still 'Movin' On' is absolutely not a bad album, nuggets like 'Echoes' and 'Innocence' makes it worth a place among the goodies, especially Echoes which touches every nerve in your entire body in a beautiful and melancholy way. 'Innocence' is what I would call cosmic doom and can be compared to both Electric Wizard and Starchild.

The bone crushing 7th act 'Not What You Know' is also one of the reasons why 'Movin' On' is worth the cash and it makes me think of the most in the stoner rock genre and in some way Black Pyramid, just as sludgy but not as heavy. You get three minutes of burning napalm that smokes everything in its path; this gem is definitely one of the best tunes on the album. Generally 'Movin' On' is a well-placed bunch of punches, but makes some oblique steps that makes me not entirely convinced, but STILL this is a great album who deserves to be purchased. I hope they hit the bulls-eye next time.

Reviewed by Tobias Beament

Website
Myspace
Witch Hunter Records

Track List

01 Movin On

02 Sea Shanty

03 Fire

04 Southern

05 Echoes

06 Innocence

07 Not What You Know

08 Clothes On My Floor

09 The Water

10 Because Of You

REVIEW: Obiat - Eyes Tree Pi

StonerRocK from the UK
Obiat - Delights

An Englishman, two Poles and a Hungarian walk into a recording studio. No, it's not the start of a bad joke, this is Obiat, a multicultural atmospheric, psychedelic doom band from in and around London. Having previously released two albums off their own back and built up a sizeable reputation and following, they have now hooked up with legendary stoner label Small Stone Records to release this, their third effort.

Has Small Stone's faith been well placed? Well, yes for the most part. In many ways this is an incredible album in terms of atmosphere and production. When they riff they riff hard, when they trip out they trip out to the outer reaches of the stratosphere and each individual performance is flawless...instruments interlock and weave round each other until the time is right to come crashing in with the next in a long line of crushingly heavy doom riffs. The vocals of Laz soar majestically over proceedings with a nod towards a young Chris Cornell but with a shamanistic flow that acts more as a fifth instrument than a traditional vocal. It's very easy to bandy the term prog around but in this case I may venture it as a comparison. Each track eschews the traditional verse/chorus/verse/chorus format in favour of a linear flow. With most bands that attempt this I tend to find it frustrating and confusing but Obiat manage to pull this off and with most songs seeming to top the 7 minute mark at least that is quite an achievement.

As impressively as these guys do pull off this kind of style I do have some reservations however. Whereas each track stands on its own as a mighty piece of work, the effect over the course of an album is a little harder to swallow. There does seem to be a singularity of pace through the album and it is on the rare occasions when the band do step it up a gear above a grooving doom crawl that it becomes more apparent that the band are happy to settle into their groove and have a natural pace they constantly fall back into. Over the seven lengthy tracks on this album it's hard not to find yourself craving more of an injection of pace. My other quibble is Obiat's tendency to fall back into other familiar themes throughout the album. It appears in virtually every track that the band will drift into mellow passages typified by clean delayed guitars and sparse drumming. Initially the effect works well and provides a fantastic counterpoint to the mightily heavy riffage they supply...after a while though it becomes a stock in trade that the band fall back on to create an atmosphere where I believe there is more inventiveness in their bones to break out of this cycle. The effect is very much like swearing...when someone swears constantly it loses effect but a well placed "fuck" from the right mouth can silence an entire room...initially Obiat silence the room, then the people start talking again!!!

This is very much a mood album. It isn't one for a sunny day in the car with the windows open or for getting ready for a night's drinking. Its hypnotic flow is better suited to a darkened room, a loud stereo and a bowl of weed. Smallstone seem to have gone out on a bit of a limb from their usual fare and I applaud them for this...and I applaud Obiat for making such a mature and powerful album...I think the next one will be the real killer.

Reviewed by Olivier Stygall

Myspace
Smallstone Records
iTunes
HMV

Track List

01 Poison Thy Honey

02 Delights

03 Serpent's Rites

04 Nomad Nomind

05 Passive Attack

06 AA54089

07 House Of The Forgotten Sins

REVIEW: Tabularasa - Born In The Barn

StonerRocK from the UK
Tabularasa - Valley Run (Down, Down, Down)

Visiting is Pretty, Visiting Is Good - seems like all they ever wanted was a brother........... Sorry, I always sing that song in my head when a band starts a track / album with the guitarist plugging in his / her guitar 'on air'. This gives the studio-naïve a feel that the album was all recorded live (I doubt it). Not sure if I 'love' the opening track 'Walk In' but anyway...............

Swansea's own Tabularasa ('blank slate' in Latin - thanks very much Wiki) offer a lively, psychedelic jam laden 9 track record that in parts sounds heavy rock, in parts alt rock, in parts doom and in parts Deep Purple style 'ride the groove' style grooves and I love it, it is perfect 'get the rock-chick back to the bed sit and spark up a pre-hump bong' style fuzz out rock with soulful bass lines and all out guitar battery to suit all types of scenario.

Full marks on the vocals too, this guy can sing - and has a perfect take on Bush / Wildhearts mixture or pain and beauty in his delivery, this keeps the listener hooked as the lead guitar (and a fucking theramin by the sound of it on Driving Song) takes you on a journey between lines.

Obliterator is my favorite so far , it is music to get stoned to - riffs you can EAT!!!!!! Make the songs longer and you have the perfect debut.

Reviewed by Jon Davis

Myspace

Track List

01 Walk In

02 Valley Run (Down, Down, Down)

03 Devil Woods

04 Oyster Chamber

05 Driving Song

06 Obliterator

07 You've Got Your Horseshoe Stuck In My Mouth

08 Broken Minds

09 You Can't Kill The Cow (But The Cow Can Kill You)

DEMOLAND: Chuter - Leaving Here

Psychedelia from the UK
Chuter - Vision

Jack Chuter is a solo musician from Basingstoke, England. His music takes influence from the guitar-driven genres of shoegaze, drone and post-metal, fuelled by his own instinctive sense of melody.

Jack began creating compositions under the title "Excido" in 2006 at the age of 16, with bands such as Pelican and Isis showing strong influence in the downtuned riffs and dynamic song structure. After two albums with this project (both free internet releases), he decided that he wanted to start afresh and pursue something new.

"Sans Sun EP" was the first release under Chuter, produced in September 2007. It put a greater focus on the use of layering, repetition and reverb, whilst still retaining the low end heaviness and deep-set melancholy.

In Summer 2008, Jack released "Leaving Here" - the first Chuter full length, and his most accomplished release so far. Vocals make a more prominent feature on this release, with ethereal hooks buried within the soundscapes, and distorted guitar riffs giving a subtle nod back to Excido.

A new release is currently in the works, and should be available sometime in August 2009.

Myspace

Track List

REVIEW: Electric Mud Generator - To The Disdain Of Polyhymnia

PsychedelicRock from the UK

Electric Mud Generator - She Wore Thorns

So this band from the UK "Electric Mud Generator" gets mentioned to me from one of my "virtual" buddies online... right away the name sold me... I knew I had to hear it. Although, I had no idea I was about to be blown away to this magnitude.

From the first few seconds of this album I was totally on the edge of my seat wondering what was coming next. The epic track "Five Elegies" is completely amazing and lets you leave your shell and hover 12 feet above your body during its 22 minutes and 30 seconds. Most songs this length usually trigger the small attention span people have these days, making the listener loose interest. Here however, there is so much greatness going on, the mind can't escape its hypnotizing power. All five tracks boast the same cool factor, weaving in and out between alluring Jane's Addiction type chillouts, then crushing your head with a thickly layered harmonic wall of distortion, with a great heavy effects laden, rumbling bottom end, the bass guitar work here is fabulous and fits perfectly in the mix, creating a cohesive blend of beauty and aggression in its five well thought out and complex arrangements.

Every once in awhile something comes along my ears that makes my jaw drop, and sends a shiver down my spine. To the Disdain of Polybymnia is another one of these rare moments in my never-ending search for all that is awesome. How I have not had the pleasure of hearing this sooner is my only regret. This isn't your typical stoner rock here kids. Take all that is good with music and what you get is an ELECTRIC MUD GENERATOR!!. This shit is brilliant!!.

To get you a copy head over to their website
http://www.electricmudgenerator.co.uk. or http://www.totalprog.com/merch.php You'll be glad you did. It really doesn't get much better than this.

Reviewed by Adam Walsh

Myspace
Website
Total Prog Records

Track List

01 Galatea

02 She Wore Thorns

03 Winter

04 Five Elegies

05 The Abolition

REVIEW: Grifter - The Simplicity of the Riff is Key Ep

StonerRocK from the UK
Grifter - Pendulum

U.K 3 piece, Grifter are back with yet another EP titled The Simplicity of the Riff is Key the follow up to their well received previous EP The Unholy Mighty Rollin'. Simplicity See's the band stay true to their roots, good old fashioned Pub rock anthems of beer induced classic 70's inspired groove rock! Although never one to reinvent the wheel, Grifter somehow manage to keep the toes tapping and head banging all the way through this cool yet short EP. When I hear Grifter I think Cactus, Josiah and ZZ top.

The opening track, The Voices and my favourite track on the EP, its classic 70's inspired riff rock, laced with good old fashioned groove, a sort of Cactus "Evil" vibe! The all in Vocals sang in the chorus is killer. A true Pub Rock riff monster and a perfect opener to Simplicity of the Riff is Key! Blind Rat Swarm, Is more straight forward rock, semi clean natural crunch guitars, pounding 4-4 beats steam rolling through the air waves, dust out the cobwebs from your ears this is high octane AC/DC, ZZ top inspired Riff and Roll.

Pendulum, track 3 is another track that stands out, big bottom end jammed out grooooove rock. I dig the bass riff that kind of runs away with the toms in the middle part of the song when the guitars drop away. Ollie's vocal are very reminiscent of Neil Fallon from Clutch in this heavy jammed out ditty. I Jesus, The last track on the EP is Southern Fried, ZZ - Top all the way straight forward rock, bone shattering natural crunch on the guitars and popping snare patterns. It's sure to give your speakers a workout!

Grifter has most certainly evolved as a band and has matured shit loads sound wise since their first Demo 2005's Elephantine. The Simplicity of the Riff is Key is full of good groovy hook lines, melody and solid musicianship. These cats belong in the dingy pubs, where beer and cigarettes reign supreme. A somewhat peoples band solid hardworking riff rockers! Fans of Josiah, Clutch and the straight forward side of the 70's will dig this EP to no end. Nice Work guys maybe now it's time to throw us a debut Full length. Crank this one to 11!

Reviewed by Matt Frighetto

Myspace
Catacomb Records
Big Cartel
Bandcamp

Track List

01 The Voices
02 Blind Rat Swarm
03 Pendulum

04 I Jesus

REVIEW: Alunah - Fall To Earth

HeavyRock from the UK
Alunah - Spend My Time

Wow!... Acid king has a twin sister!!!

If you love Acid king and worship Black sabbath you will jump up and down from joy when you hear what Alunah has to offer on this three tracker!

This UK army of four fronted by female singer Olivia (Soph) is very hot indeed, it's like getting laid. On Alunah's debut ep 'Fall from earth' you get three reasons why you need
to get this as soon as possible, heavy, fuzz laden, down tuned and sexy... yeeeeaaah yeeeeaaah!

I got amazed when the first track started to spin, the beautiful 'Spend my time' opened my heart and i fell in love with this band right away. Alunah's gift to the riff gods are superior, this is first class, basic and grinding riffings (which i adore) with a tasteful psychedelic
mix of fuzz rock and doom. 'Fall to earth' is a love session from start to finish... simply
once you're in it you're hooked.

Please 'Show me how' you do this (last song) cause this is fabulous and this is definitely my favourite on this ep, i can't get enough of it and i'll keep spinning it over and over again,
what a great start on this crusade toward the high mountains.
The band have played a lots of gigs since their birth in 2006 with magnitudes such as
Orange goblin, Trouble, Paradise lost, Witchcraft, Doomraiser and Toner low.
They have also being featured on various compilations and hopefully there is much more
to come...

Good to know is that they changed their name in january this year to Alunah instead of
Aluna which is their name on the ep. In other words, there is only one ALUNAH!

Look out for Alunah's debut album in the end of 2009!

Reviewed by Tobias Beament

Website

Myspace

Catacomb Records

Nasoni Records