1/21/13

ETERNAL ELYSIUM - 2012 - HIGHFLYER EP (Review)


Eternal Elysium is back with the new EP after the fabulous "Within the Triad" album.
Damn, it was almost 3 years ago but feels like it was yesterday.

Highflyer is dedicated to the local Wrestler - Shinya Ishikaw. He usually figts under the name "Highflyer" in Big-Japan Pro-Wrestling Games.

Back to the record...

1-st song is called "Highflyer" and it goes like a good 90's action movie.
It sounds like a mountain of muscules. Uncompromised & powerful riffs changes with strong sax sounds.

The second theme is called "Map" and it's a cover on local psychedelic legend - Flower Travelling Band.
The lyrics are in japanese and sounds awesome.

"Circulation" - is the third one has also appeared on split CD/LP with Belgium's Sardonis.
It's heavy blues/stoner rock in your face !

 The last song is some kind of outro-jam. And even it kicks your arse !

He're some shots from the fresh tour with Sardonis :


Hopefully "Highflyer" will see the light of the wax this year with some additional bonus tracks.

And we also pray for wide European tour in 2013 !

Buy
http://www.cornucopiarecords.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eternal-Elysium-official/160089987381948 

1/10/13

HEAVY GLOW US tour and new 7 inch


Heavy Glow is officially announcing the following West Coast U.S. Tour Dates in support of an upcoming 7" Vinyl Release. They will be joined by Michael Amster of Tee Pee Record's recording group Blaak Heat Shujaa:


Jan 10  The Rogue Bar----------Scottsdale, AZ
Jan 11  Hotel Monte Vista------Flagstaff, AZ
Jan 13  The Cheyenne Saloon----Las Vegas, NV
Jan 15  Johnny B's-------------Medford, OR
Jan 16  The Nectar Lounge------Seattle, WA
Jan 17  East End---------------Portland, OR
Jan 18  Cloud and Kelly's------Corvallis, OR
Jan 19  The Alibi--------------Arcata, CA
Jan 23  Hotel Utah Saloon------San Francisco, CA
Jan 24  Audie's Olympic--------Fresno, CA
Jan 25  Shea's Tavern----------Reno, NV
Jan 26  Whiskey Dick's Saloon--South Lake Tahoe, CA
Jan 27  Sandrini's-------------Bakersfield, CA
Jan 28  The Roxy---------------Los Angeles, CA
Jan 29  The Soda Bar-----------San Diego, CA "


1/9/13

Interview with Sardonis


    Hello Fellas !

 
First of all I’d like to congratulate you with the Japanese tour with Eternal Elysium.
For many European bands this tour is only a dream. 
Was it successful in financial and spiritual ways ?


It was a fucking blast!  Being able to tour Japan was indeed a dream coming true and if a tour turns out to be as succesfull as it was, then you’re living the dream.  All costs were covered at the end of the ride, so financially it was good.  But spiritually is was much better.  The Japanese expected us and embraced us like we were their brothers.  Best tour ever!  


    Did you explored something new from the Japanese lifestyle ? Any new musical bands that have impressed you during the tour ?

 
They are so precise and organized it was almost frightening from time to time.  They are detailed too.  A metal guitar player will practice a certain solo until he can play it exactly the same where a European dude will be satisfied if he gets he overall feel of the solo, if you know what I mean.


We were and are big fans of Eternal Elysium, but we only saw them once live here in Europe.  Being able to tour with them and enjoying their gigs every evening was absolutely a thrill.  They are so fucking heavy and put down great shows night after night.  Coffins played a great show in Tokyo too, as well as Nepenthes, a new band with 2 former Church of Misery members.





    By the way I’ve tried to find out what does the word “Sardonis” mean and I failed. Can you help me to find the answer please ?


In the eighties there was a very popular weekly televisionshow for kids on the Flemish national television named ‘Merlina’.  It was the cliché story of the good hunting the bad.  In this case a group of detectives were chasing down a group of villains who kidnapped children, terrorized the elder…
The bad guys were leaded by this supervillain named Sardonis.  When we were young and we did something bad, our mama always told us to be nice, otherwise SardoniS would come and get us.  He was the demon of our youth.

    What is the main source of inspiration for you when writing new songs ? Do your albums have the same storyline and what all your songs about ?
We don’t want to express a certain story, but the songs breath a kind of bleak, desolate and heavy atmosphere.  I don’t think people think of beaches and cocktails when they listen to our music.

    This year was pretty plenteous for Sardonis : 2nd fullength released, Split with Tank 86 and Eternal Elysium. Any plans for future releases/gigs/fests in 2013 ?

2012 was indeed a heavy one.  Three releases, two tours, a lot of local gigs, interviews,… We will take it easier in 2013.  We’ll focus on new songs and we’ll see how it progresses.  We have some gigs lined up in March; 1 in Belgium, 2 in Greece and 2 in Portugal.  Needless to say that we’re looking forward to that.


 

    Don’t you ever thought to release split with close-by-genre-instrumental bands ala Karma to Burn, Sons of Alfa Centauri, Beast in the Field, Le Scimmie… ?

Well, we did a split 7” with instrumental comrades TANK86, but we don’t have any plans right now to do another split release.

    What will be your personal recommendations from Belgian and European and World heavy bands ?

Your Highness is a Belgian stonerband that is on the rise.  Check them out, good songwriting!

    The film/book/event that has really impressed you in 2012 ?

I don’t have a television and hardly watch any movies or read books.




    Electric Earth Recs. (Jelle run it) – was a big success. Sold out titles such as debut albums of Cough, Black Pyramid, Elder, Sardonis… That says that you have really good taste in music and also intuitive feeling what  band will be successful in the future… Why did the label suddenly shut down ? Is there a chance that mighty Electric Earth will rise again one day ?

The label shut down because of different reasons.  I could not combine it anymore with my dayjob and I didn’t want to quite my job because of the financial risk.  My son Thor was born and needed the attention of his father who was always packing vinyls when he was home, so I decided to put the label on hiatus.  There are no direct plans to restart the label in the near future, only time will tell.

    Thanx for the answers guys. Any last words ?
 
Thanks for the interview and interest in our band.  Our website went online recently, so be sure to check that one out at www.sardonis666.be  We’re on facebook too, so feel free to join the brotherhood of SardoniS.  Inhale heavy riffing and praise the Behemoth666! 







ROMERO needs your support !

Happy New Year!
Happy New ROMERO News!



We finished our full length album!

ROMERO "Take The Potion" LP will be released on Tuesday, January 29, 2013.

The entire album will be available for FREE DOWNLOAD through GRINDCOREKARAOKE.COM.  The band is also releasing a LIMITED EDITION of 100 CD's in deluxe packaging and has started a Kickstarter campaign to fund the vinyl release.  The Kickstarter page and more information on the release can be found here:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/romeroisloud/romero-releases-take-the-potion-full-length-album


ROMERO Live Performance & Webcast!
January 18, 2013 @ 7pm (US Central standard time)
The band will be playing songs from the "Take The Potion" LP and doing a short interview for the cameras of Red Dragon TV in Madison, WI.  The show will be broadcast LIVE on the net through the Red Dragon TV website, Ustream & BlogTV, simultaneously.  Our friends and supporters from all over the world will finally be able to see & hear ROMERO play live and will have the opportunity to chat with us  on-the-air.  Get more information from http://reddragontv.tv/ or stay tuned to our FACEBOOK page for updates.

ROMERO Tour in March?
Maybe.  More details sooner than later.

12/29/12

Robust Crew's Tops of 2012

Hail everybody !
At the end of this long and full of music events year we want to give you some Tops from the Robust Crew.
Feel free to leave yours at the comment section !

So please welcome :

STONEZILLA 
(plays in Ethereal Riffian, Wolverine Blues, blog editor, Robustfest's org)


1) Om - Advaitic Songs
2) High on Fire - De Vermis Mysteriis
3) Elder - Spires Burn
4) Ghandis Gunn -  The Longer The Beard The Harder The Sound
5) Stoned Jesus - Seven Thunders Roar
6) Gravelroad - Psychedelta
7) The Moon Mistress - Silent Voice Inside
8) The Jim Jones Revue - The Savage Heart
9) Sleepy Sun - Spine Hits
10) Bluesbreaker - Never Knowing Peace
11) James Blackshaw - Love is the Plan, the Plan is Death
12) Snail - Terminus
13) Sun River - Sun River
14) Maloi - Boys You Have to Slow Down
15) Dopelord – Magic Rites 
16) Grave Disgrace - S/t
17) The Grand Astoria/USX Split
18) Nitrogods - S/t
19) Wo Fat – The Black Code
20) Neurosis - Honor Found in Decay

PROG-JESTER 
(plays in Stoned Jesus, Krobak, Voida...and the list goes on and on, Robustfest's org)
you can also visit his livejournal page for more stuff...


25. Neil Young With Crazy Horse - Psychedelic Pill
24. Bat For Lashes - The Haunted Man
23. Mgla - With hearts toward none
22. Anglagard - Viljans Oga
21. Extra Life - Dream Seeds
20. Unsane - Wreck
19. Amen Ra - Mass V
18. Echolyn - s/t
17. Beardfish - The Void
16. Anhedonist – Netherwards
15. Lee Ranaldo - Between the Times and the Tides
14. Golden Void - s/t
13. Greenleaf - Nest Of Vipers
12. My Dying Bride - A Map of All Our Failures
11. Grizzly Bear - Shields
10. Sun River - s/t
09. Family Band - Grace and Lies
08. Ancient Sky - T.R.I.P.S.
07. Young Legionnaire - Wreckonomics EP
06. Scott Kelly and The Road Home - The Forgiven Ghost In Me
05. Swans - The Seer
04. Deftones - Koi No Yokan
03. Title Fight - Floral Green
02. Maloi "Boys You Gotta Slow Down" EP
01. 5R6 "+6.5 and Brighter" EP

IRON
( Live Reviews from Oslo gigs and Roadburn 2012)


1. Baroness - Yellow & Green
2. Bomg / Johny B Gut - Gnosis
3. Paradise Lost - Tragic Idol
4. Nadja & Vampilia - The Primitive World
5. El Caco - Hatred, Love & Diagrams
6. Herder - Horror Vacui
7. Krakow - Diin
8. Process Of Guilt - Faemin
9. In The Company Of Serpents - self-titled
10. Crippled Black Phoenix - No Sadness Or Farewell

DEN
(Record reviewer on the blog)



1 Pale Divine 2012 - Painted Windows Black

With most of  doom bands becoming faceless amid neverending onslaught of  totally cliched bands, above stand those who manage to  attain the spirit of their own while still adgering to the well-recognized formula of   Sabbathian grooves. Pale Divine's last opus  is exactly what the above description implies as it not only elevates above its predecessor in avery aspect possible, but proudly stands on the top of the doom pantheon of the last decade. And may those who disagree just fade into obscurity. AMAZING 10/10

2 Adrift for Days  2012 - Come Midnight.

Following the debut release "Lunar Maria", Australian dwellers have made nearly impossible again. Producing an amalgamation of  of the genres fuzz/stoner/blues/metal/smoke all combined into one sacriligious package, these guys definetely know how to render the listner comletley helpless against the symphony of  heavy as fuck, but the same tume sedative and mesmerizing tunes  taking its origins from the desolate  landscapes of Land Downunder. With the overall running time exceeding 70 minutes,  you will not find a better candidate to accompany you on a pleasing smoke-filled journey which will continue  for a big number of spins. OUTSTANDING 10/10

3 Law Of The Tongue 2012  - Law Of The Tongue

Yet another release from Australia is proudly taking  the third place in my top 10. All of you are fans of Eyehategod, right ?. So to say it plain and simple , these guys heave  unleashed a good dose of  lethal  hatred straight from the swamps of Louisiana ( soory, alligator-infested ponds of  some australian towns lol). A good warm up to make the tedious anticipation of  next Eyehategod full-length less tedious.

4 Eagle Twin 2012 - The Feather Tipped the Serpent's Scale

What i really like about Utah's Eagle Twin, is that there is  not another band existing in  our universe which has succeeded in sounding like them. Combining heavy-as- russian-concrete sludge with droning  tones from the bowels of the earth, and blending all this mess with  progressive twists of King Crimson and   hell-knowns what else, these duo is either worshipping the illuminated shape-shifting reptilians or  just playing an evil joke with us. Worshippers of The Sontaran Experiment will understand, even though these bands  hardly have anything in common.

5  The Disease Concept - 2012 - Liquor Bottles and Broken Steel

Yeah, this about rules, but if you don't enjoy struggling with morining hangovers  you can quit reading right now. The Disease Concept is the creme de la creme of the heavy sludge/doom scene, Corey Bing on drums (Fistula, Accept Death, Morbid Wizard, Sollubi, Ultralord, 10,000 other bands, etc.), Jesse Kling on vocals (Sollubi, Morbid Wizard, etc.), Dave Szulkin on guitars (Blood Farmers), Tommy Southard on guitars (Solace, Sollubi, ex-Godspeed), and Chris Griffith on bass (Sollubi, Pennsylvania Connection). Hell- yeah,  with such a line i would not have dropped a single tear had  the  dark  Mayan prophecy been delivered on Decebber the 21-st ! Hey, crack a bear open and  enjoy one of the best sludge opuses of all time.

PHILLO)))
(Blog Editor, Robustfest's org)


 1. Stone Machine - 2012 - Stone Machine (http://www.grooveyardrecords.com/stonemachineselftitled-.html)
2. Abe Diddy & The Krautboys - 2012 - Follow (http://abediddy.bandcamp.com/)
3. Groan - 2012 - The Divine Right of Kings (http://groan.bandcamp.com/)
4. Unsane – 2012 - Wreck
5. Disease Concept - 2012 - Liquor Bottles And Broken Steel (GoatSkull) (http://thediseaseconcept.bandcamp.com/)
6. Fontanelle - 2012 - Vitamin F (Southern Lord)
7. Slow Season - 2012 - Slow Season (http://www.slowseasonmusic.com/audio)
8. Castrovalva - 2012 - You're Not In Hell. You're in Purgatory My Friend LP (Brew) (http://brew.bandcamp.com/album/castrovalva-youre-not-in-hell-youre-in-purgatory-my-friend)
9. Fiona Apple - 2012 - The Idler Wheel
10. Primate - 2012 - Draw Back A Stump (Relapse) (http://primategrind.bandcamp.com/releases)
11. Stoned Jesus - 2012 - Seven Thunders Roar LP (Nasoni)
12. ZZ Top - 2012 - La Futura
13. Eggnogg - 2012 - Louis EP (http://eggnogg.bandcamp.com/album/louis-ep)
14. Skanska Mord - 2012 - Paths To Charon (http://smallstone.bandcamp.com/album/paths-to-charon)
15. Melvins - 2012 - The Bulls & The Bees EP
16. High on Fire – 2012 - De Vermis Mysteriis LP
17. Redgrave - 2012 - National Act (http://lovitt.bandcamp.com/album/national-act)
18. Ethereal Riffian - 2012 - Dkyil Khor EP (http://etherealriffian.bandcamp.com/track/dkyil-khor)
19. Hot Fiction - 2012 - Apply Within (http://hotfiction.bandcamp.com/album/apply-within)
20. Pale Divine - 2012 - Painted Windows Black (http://shadowkingdomrecords.bandcamp.com/album/painted-windows-black)

 Hope you'll find something for yourself to listen to during the holidays.

Have a Robust-Stoned-Freakin-Awesome-Kickass New 2013 Year !!!
Cheers Robustfellows !



Sent By the Band...December 2012

Heavy Glow  

is going to release a fullength soon.
This will be the B-side to "Mine All Mine" and only available on 7" Vinyl per the band's upcoming January tour.

 
"Heavy Glow has begun work on their second full-length album. This time they’re teaming up with Grammy-nominated producer Michael Patterson and Nic Jodoin.  Patterson is perhaps most famous for his work with Beck on “Midnite Vultures,” Trent Reznor, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club among many others. Recording will take place in L.A. at the famous Studio 9 building and will feature 10-12 new songs with additional guest personnel. The album is slated for release in early 2013."

listen to the Headhunter

http://heavyglowmusic.com/

Asilo - 2012 - Geografías / Wardance



"asilo is 4 piece doom-crust band from buenos aires argentina, with two bass players and no guitar"

www.facebook.com/estoesasilo
http://asilo.bandcamp.com/

The Brutal Deceiver - 2012 - Go Die. One By One 

 




French hardcore/death metal outfit THE BRUTAL DECEIVER have announced the release of their debut full-length album "Go Die. One By One" on next spring. The follow-up to their 2010 EP "Birth Of A Decline", the record will arrive courtesy of the band's new label home Useless Pride Records. The band (which features two members of post-metal band As We Draw) recorded those ten tracks last summer with their drummer Amaury Sauvé at La Senelle. To check out a first track of "Go Die. One By One", head over the band's Bandcamp page here :

http://thebrutaldeceiver.bandcamp.com/


Megachurch 2: Judgment Day

 


Megachurch and Stressed Sumo Records proudly present the release of Megachurch 2: Judgment Day, the Cleveland, Ohio trio’s fierce new record. Available on CD, limited edition run of 100 cassettes and digital (the album also includes three bonus tracks). Released on February 11th

"Melding metallic shards of Burton-era Metallica, Mastodon, and Queens of the Stone Age to the mathematical rhythms of Battles and Slint, Megachurch save the soul of metal from the venial sins of guitars and vocals through their trademark twin bass guitar and drums attack. Hewn from the same leaden timbres that anchored their promising self-titled 2010 debut, Judgment Day cuts across genre and practice, pitting pietism against irreverence or the glory of unfettered riffage.

The chemistry gained by Megachurch from two years of high-profile Ohio shows is on full display. Bassists Brian Michael Hill and Mikey Baranick perform in the seasoned lockstep, with Hill’s iterative basslines threading through Baranick’s buzzsaw riffs. Drummer Dan Price, having previously bonded with Hill and Baranick in their respective poppier endeavors This is Exploding and Machine Go Boom, is no exception. Manning the engine-room of the operation, Price’s pattern drumming harnesses the kinetic power of fluid tempos and irregular time-signatures while opting against the metal staples of blast and d-beats. Found-sound samples of politicians, televangelists, and Tea Party fanatics stand in as the group’s manic vocalists.

Racing through eight songs in just over 27 minutes, Megachurch utilize as much restraint as creativity, stripping away all extraneous elements to reveal lean, muscular songs. John Delzoppo’s recording and Price’s mix pay these number the complement of warm, clear production."


http://stressedsumorecords.bandcamp.com/album/megachurch-2-judgment-day
http://stressedsumorecords.co.uk/

Sorrows Path - 2011 -  The Rough Path of Nihilism

 


Power/Doom metal from Greece



 http://www.facebook.com/SorrowsPath
http://www.sorrowspath.net/


Primitive Man - 2012 - Scorn 

 



"Formed by members of CLINGING TO THE TREES OF A FOREST FIRE and REPROACHER, Denver's PRIMITIVE MAN will release its debut album "Scorn" on 12" vinyl on January 31th via Throatruiner Records and Mordgrimm Records. This album was recorded by Dave Otero at Flatline Audio (CEPHALIC CARNAGE, CATHETER, COBALT) in the band's hometown, evolving into a blackened sludge/doom vein that will appeal fans of bands such as The Body, Thou or Khanate."

http://music.throatruinerrecords.com/album/scorn
http://www.facebook.com/primitivemandoom
http://throatruinerrecords.com/
http://mordgrimm.bandcamp.com/



RORCAL - 2012 - VILAGVEGE 

 



"After two years on the road defending "Heliogabalus", working on some split collaborations and trying to write new music, using new schems, time has come to finally announce the third album by Rorcal.
 A subtle blend of old drone/doom ingredients and some new unexplored black metal influences finally gave birth to eight new tracks, produced by Stéphane Kroug (at Wood Recording Studio) and place in the hands of  to be reunited under the sweet name of "Vilagvege".
  For the fist time, Rorcal is happy to release this new album on vinyl, in close collaboration with its own imprint Cal of Ror Records (Lilium Sova), Sick Man Getting Sick Records (Alaskan) from Germany and the new french label Lost Pilgrims Records (Cortez). A tape edition will follow on the germany Wolves in Vibrancy Records (Ilydaen).
 The release is planned for the 28th of February 2013 and will be followed by a new tour through European soils, from March 27th to the 6th of April. Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, Belgium : be prepared Doom is upon you!"


http://rorcal.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Rorcal
http://www.rorcal.com/

The Phantom Carriage - 2012 - Falls 

 




"With this second full-length, Poitiers' THE PHANTOM CARRIAGE annihilate the remaining boundaries between black metal and dark hardcore. This time focusing on the most extreme side of their sound, "Falls" brings the band's unique approach to the next level, invoking reminiscences of various acts such as Deathspell Omega, Cave In, Comity, Deafheaven or Kickback. Songs such as "Dreamers Will Never Stop Dreaming" or "Today We Stand" reveal how much the band has improved their songwriting abilities, burying the listener under piles of epic & technical riffs, labyrinthic structures and unearthly vocals. By throwing into their chaos some more unorthodox influences they gained from their other past and actual experiences, THE PHANTOM CARRIAGE prove that they are digging deeper than your average "blackened hardcore" band. And they will take you with them."

http://music.throatruinerrecords.com/album/falls
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Phantom-Carriage

12/28/12

TOMBSTONES - 2012 - Year of the Burial LP (Review)


Here comes the 3-piece heavy stoner/doom beast from the North.
This is their third album. The massive wall of sound was made by the Norwegian Petter Svee and Audun Strype and it worked out really good. Both previous albums were made with Billy Anderson.
And I'm glad to see that band have signed to Holland's Soulseller Recs.

Musically "Year of the Burial" comes like a solid piece of heaviness.
Six songs of pure darkness.
OM-ish paradise.
For perfect experience while listening to this LP you'd better turn off the lights, burn some candles and play some 80's horror movies at the background.


Thanx for this wonderful LP, Ole.
And yes it's freakin' awesome to find myself and robustcrew in the thanks list on the gatefold.
This little thing inspires to crush big mountains :)

Album is dedicated to the fourth band member -
Stream full album here :





Buy here :

12/23/12

Semtex - 2012 - Sex, Drugs & Sludgecore (LP) Review


Hail the Riff !
Here comes the new LP by the great band from Finland called Semtex.
Firstly I'd like to speak about the package.
"Sex, Drugs & Sludgecore " comes in high quality black cardboard. It's pressed on a heavyweight 180 gr. vinyl. 200 were made.
Sticker and Cool Poster is included.

Musically it goes like an axiom. Semtex = good smoked sludge doom. And like a formula e=mc2 it does not require any proof.
You can feel strong influences of Bongzilla and Weedeater but with the stench from the Northern Finlands' swamps.



This Lp is a compilation of latest works of Semtex. 4 tracks were released earlier this year as a split with Frogskin and DDJ by Boue records.
So If you're a fan of finnish underground music you should grab this one immediately !!!

Also some secret info has leaked away - Semtex are going to release split Lp with Woodrue in winter 2013. 



Same 4 tracks also can be heard on this split :

12/16/12

SARDONIS / ETERNAL ELYSIUM - 2012 - Split CD/LP (Review)


This split was done specially for Japanese tour of both bands during October 2012.
 Two of my favourite bands are on this split. Belgian heavy instrumental duo Sardonis is on my watch-list since their debut 7'' in 2008. And Japanese Eternal Elysium is simply the heaviest band in the Universe.  I used to call it this way after that my heavyweight friend set down on EE's 10" vinyl and it didn't get any damage still playing excellent. That's the real story )

So Heavy Riffs are coming...
 Sardonis shows us the most epic song from their portfolio called "Ascending". 
Slow crawling intro...the good strong riff cuts the fog...It goes further riff by riff...slows down...and punches you faster at the end.
 And even keyboard sounds had found their place in this song structure.
If I'm not mistaken this is the first time Sardonis goes for such experiment.
Sounds Awesome !

The second song appears on CD version only and it's called "To the Barn". It starts from the reverse drums and goes with the massive supercharged (guess what ?) riffs.
And it was already released on the wax as a split with holland's TANK 86. (If you didn't heard it yet - you can find it on youtube or bandcamp as well)
And yes, If you didn't heard the latest second fullength by Sardonis "II" - you should do it immediately too.




Turn the Plate and you'll get 2 awesome tracks by Eternal Elysium.
"Unbound (Kai Hoh)" - got slow, dark, doomy atmosphere. Sax at the end also says that this band is widely opened for innovations.
"Circulation (Jun Kan)" - starts with cool bluesy riff and then outgrows into strong, catchy stoner vibe.
"The Spiral Conclusion" is the bonus track for CD edition. Pretty fresh one. It was recorded in 2011 and appeared on vinyl version of  Elysium's "Searching Low & High" that was released also on mighty Hydro-Phonic Recs. Good space passage...

Also I need to mention that Eternal Elysium released new EP that has a name of the theme for Shinya Ishikawa from Big Japan Pro-Wrestling- "Highflyer"



I hope that European fans will have an opportunity to get this EP on some good label. Hopefully this will be released on the wax as well.

 Here're you can watch two epic performances of the Jap tour mentioned at the beginning of this post :




 

12/9/12

Loinen feat. Paanin Kuoro - 2012 - Mutajazz (tape) Review


 Here comes the collaboration between sickest band from the Universe - Loinen and the Jazz musician Paanin Kuoro. Both are from Finland.
Pure DIY Tape limited to 100 copies. 
Free/Extreme/Avantgarde jazz covered with GG's brutal vocals.
I like sounds of Sax and Trumpet on this tape that reminds most extreme works of John Zorn (Painkiller and Naked City). And I'm not too much into classic jazz scene but I can compare this stuff to the energy of americans - Mothguts and british band Honey Ride Me a Goat. 

Good work done indeed. Sometimes it goes really hard. You can get discomfort, headache together with pleasure while listening to this tape. And sometimes music goes into deep, dark, tribal sludgy atmosphere that Loinen used to discolose on their records. 

Here is that smashing effect that every Sludge band  wanna get but it requires a lot of work and deep intuitive feeling how to make things the right way. 

Mutajazz is the new wave of non-fresh air.
I hope we'll hear extension in the future.
This work deserves to be released on vinyl.

Stream the 1st track from this tape titled "Gabriel" :


And here's the video of  Paanin's 2011 album "Tony Guyn Pieni Kirkko" :


Be fast and catch this tape.


12/8/12

ART OF BURNING WATER - 2012 - THIS DISGRACE LP (Review)


One of the greatest bands from the smog island and one of my personal faves 
has recently released their 4th album.
It has a title "The Disgrace".
It sounds fucking masssive. Having strong british industrial base (think of early Pitchshifter and Fudge Tunnel and Godflesh)  and american  noise-rock influences (16, Unsane and take best bands from AmRep, Sub Pop).
Also I need to mention that  Kunal (Superfi rec's. boss) entered the band in 2012 and I'm sure this is a good upgrade.
"This Disgrace" will be out in January 2013. Three mighty labels splits 500 copies of wax : British Superfi and Riot Season and French Swarm Of Nails
If you havn't heard this fabulous band yet - you should also check three previous albums too.





Release Info :

Art Of Burning Water were born out of the ‘white flats’ of Hanwell (W7) and the pre-gentrified homes of Hammersmith (W6) in West London in 2001. The sound of suburban alienation and misfit isolation forged an awkward visceral sound that was too punk for the metallers, too noisy for the arthouse crowd and too weird for seemingly everyone else. AOBW continue to plough their own furrow despite personal injury and often chronic disorganisation. with self-promotion taking a back seat to the importance of sound creation to combat the often ugly hardships of everyday living.
      
Like Slayer gone sludge, AOBW channel the prime noise-rock of vintage Zeni Geva and Godflesh with the more complex rhythmical riff obsessions of the Melvins, Keelhaul and mid-period Voivod. In saying that however, AOBW also adhere to the original punk philosophy of ‘anything goes’. There are no restrictions. Punk isn’t about Discharge (as good as they were and are), studded belts and crusty bum flaps. Punk is the heart to tell the narrow minded to get fucked.

“This Disgrace” continues the more spontaneous writing approach of third album “Love You Dead” with some emotionally draining dirge sections akin to a more budget “Children Of God”-era Swans, “What’s This For?” period Killing Joke as well as the “Souls At Zero” beatings of Neurosis. All subject to opinion of course. For fans of : Godflesh, Swans, Melvins, Unsane, Jesus Lizard, Mastodon etc etc


12/4/12

Sent by the band during November 2012

CUBE - 2012 - S/T


Stoned Grunge from Greece. 
Pretty good one.

"Newest Spinalonga Records/Body Blows co-release, Cube just released their self-titled debut LP digitally and on vinyl 12” in a limited pressing (250 copies).

In the midst of the economic crisis in Greece, Cube are releasing what seems like a 90’s heavy rock revival. Focused on groove and straight-up heavy rock, the band delves into prog-rock experimentation but never loses the grungy aesthetic that cuts through the entire album.
 

The quartet have released a few tracks over the years on various compilations such as the ‘In the Junkyard’ series -featuring fellow greek acts the Dive, Planet of Zeus, the Bliss, Nightstalker among others- (Spinalonga Records, Greece) and the ‘Rock ‘n Roll Blvd vol.1’ -featuring bands like Honcho, Monkey 3, Kayser and more- (Buzzville Records, Belgium)."


http://cube-1.bandcamp.com/ 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cube/
http://www.spinalonga.net/ 


JUDD MADDEN - 2012 - ARTESIAN


"Inspired by the harsh Australian outback, it continues the great doom / stoner metal journey."

http://juddmadden.bandcamp.com/album/artesian 
http://www.facebook.com/judd.madden.music 
http://neverwake.me/ 


Junkyard Birds - 2012 - Free Wheeling Free Will



French R'n'R Mayhem

"For years the Junkyard Birds haunt backstages and venues, providing a total in-your-face heavy-blues rock'n roll experience to the audiences, blasting speakers and breaking strings for the everlasting pleasure of your bleeding ears. " 


For fans of Boris, The Hellacopters, Fu Manchu, Ramones, Turbonegro...

http://junkyardbirds.bandcamp.com/ 
http://www.facebook.com/junkyardbirdsofficial 
http://dominomediaagency.wordpress.com/ 
http://www.deadbees.com/splash.php 

 

MAKE - 2012 - Axis


New EP by drone fellas


"MAKE recently entered the studio to begin recording tracks  the EP with engineer Nick Petersen (Horseback, Bon Iver). 
Says guitarist Scott Endres of the new EP: “It's not necessarily meant to be a cohesive statement but rather ideas we had which didn't necessarily fit in with the material we've been preparing for the next LP. I think the EP format is perfect for that sort of thing... allowing an artist to express different ideas which perhaps don't fit in within the context of some other greater whole. I suppose we could have added a few more minutes of music to this and called it a short LP but this isn't the statement we're looking to make in following 'Trephine'. We see this more as an appetizer or aperitif. Sonically though, it's both more psychedelic, more metal and less metal than we've previously been. In that order."



http://www.facebook.com/thebandmake 
http://thebandmake.bandcamp.com/ 


Lilium Sova - 2012 - Epic Morning



"4 years after the awesome "Tripartite chaos" debut album, the atypical instrumental hailing from Geneva, (Switzerland) Lilium Sova, is back with a new full-length effort coming on november 16th through Cal of Ror Records (Rorcal).

Emerged in early 2006 as a trio playing a fairly unique mixure of noise-hardcore and post-metal with a pinch of free-jazz, the band is back in 2012 with a new line-up and "Epic morning". A brand new album recorded & mixed by JP Schopfer @ Wool studio and mastered by Raphael Bovey, including guests appearances from members of Impure Wilhelmina, Kehlvin, Yog, Rorcal..."




 http://liliumsova.bandcamp.com/album/epic-morning
https://www.facebook.com/liliumsova 
http://www.liliumsova.bigcartel.com/ 
http://calofror-records.blogspot.fr/

Kursed - 2012 - Miaow 

 

 

"Two years after an acclaimed debut effort, "Like a coffee", released on M&O Music/Mosaic Music Distribution, Kursed makes its return with a brand new album called : "Miaow".



Young French indie-rock trio from Montpellier, Kursed plays an alternative indie-rock music somewhere between Arctic Monkeys and The Black Keys with a French touch."


http://kursed1.bandcamp.com/album/miaow
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kursed/



Craig Hughes - 2012 - Hard Times: Volume 1


Fresh EP from
Craig Hughes, an alt.blues/roots musician and songwriter (also lead guitarist with heavy psych-rock band Dog Moon Howl) based in Glasgow, Scotland. 
Best soundtrack for the end of the week.

http://craighughes.bandcamp.com/album/hard-times-volume-1
www.craighughes.net
www.channelnowhere.com
www.dogmoonhowl.com



Direwolves - 2012 - Me From Myself, To Banish 

 

 

"French record label Throatruiner Records has just put out the vinyl edition for DIREWOLVES's "Me From Myself, To Banish", limited to 500 copies on clear vinyl. Recorded by Amaury Sauvé (producer/sound engineer for Birds In Row, As We Draw, Comity...), the debut EP from this french hardcore/crust band reminds of bands such as Alpinist, Lewd Acts or Killing The Dream. "


http://music.throatruinerrecords.com/album/me-from-myself-to-banish
http://www.facebook.com/wearedirewolves 
http://store.throatruinerrecords.com/categories/direwolves 

Kalkh-In(joy) Erode - 2012 - Clear



"Drone, & dark, ambient, psychedelic, rock, doom, lo-fi, dunno... Some atmospheres in one ambience. unstable and improvised."

http://kalkhinerode.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kalkh-Injoy-Erode


Immovable Objects - 2012 - I'll Know to Believe in Sparrows



"This San Diego's quintet’s sound  has been compared to God Speed You Black Emperor, Explosions in the Sky, Mum, Sigur Ros, Panda Bear and Her Space Holiday."


http://immovableobjects1.bandcamp.com/
http://immovableobjects.com/
http://www.facebook.com/Immovableobjectsmusicpage



Black Science - 2012 - An Echo Through the Eyes of Forever 

 

 

 Increase your telepathic abilities today!
Full of danger space-stoned rock



The Black Widow's Project - 2012 - Heavy heart


Awesome hype band from Geneve !


 "there is a new swiss rock'n'roll band in town : The Black Widow's Project playing deep-rock (between stoner and grunge with 70's influences).  Greatness and decadence, poetry and rock n’roll, love and sex, peace and war. 
These are the words that inspire this atypical rock band, performing a music both clean and dirty, coated with primitive hard rock which would flirt with the energies of grunge music."


Check the new video tune from the upcoming album.


TESA - 2012 - IV


"Soberly entitled IV, the third full-lentgh album of our favorite Latvian band is composed of 3 long tracks, a magnificent blend of sludge and post-rock played with a singular sound that has made TESA a unique proposition for years. The music of the three-piece band from Riga drenches the listeners into multiples feelings, intertwining beautiful, melancholic and heavy atmospheres with a very subtle hardcore undercurrent. IV is the long-anticipated follow-up to heartbeatfromthesky released in 2008."


http://impuremuzik.bandcamp.com/album/iv 
www.myspace.com/tesaband  
 http://www.impuremuzik.fr/


Voltron - 2012 - Kaventsmann



Quite good sludge/doom from Berlin




VA - 2013 - Devils Kitchen 2013



2013. Australia. Fest. Killer Line-up.
This compilation is full of pleasent surprises from Australia. 

"After a four year hiatus, the legendary good time stoner-punk-death-boogie-sex-rock showcase is back, taking in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in January 2013. "



Early Mammal - 2012 - Horror at Pleasure


"Early Mammal started on February 1st 2012 in an old butter factory in Camberwell, South London, called Dropout (London's true home of sludge and noise).  Formed by Rob Herian (ex-Elks http://www.heavyplanet.net/2011/10/new-band-to-burn-one-to-elks.html) on guitar and vocals, Ben Davies (ex-85 Bears) on drums, and with the prog-stylings of Turkish born Deniz Belendir on organ and synths, the band spent hours jamming heavy blues, space-rock and psyche with the likes of Captain Beefheart, High Rise, White Hills and Hawkwind on the brain, and in September 2012 finally finished recording their first album, Horror at Pleasure, which is looking for a 2013 release.

   
It's head-down-rock; it's fuzzed-out and heavy.  But there's also something wrong in the story.  That's what the last few months have created in Early Mammal and that's what you get.  That's what we all get because there's something not right about any of us, anywhere.  All our stories are fucked.  Early Mammal is coming from somewhere else.  It's expected and it's telling you something. "



http://www.facebook.com/earlymammal

Elephant Hawk Moth - 2012 - S/T


"ELEPHANT HAWK MOTH: That is energetic Alternative-Rock, with massive sound, ambitious songwriting, coaxingly playful but aggressive, supported by lyrics with a reflective tinge."

http://elephanthawkmoth.bandcamp.com/ 
http://www.facebook.com/ehmband