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Musipedia Of Metal
Reviews: Silvertomb, Scarlet Rebels, Wraith, Yngwie Malmsteen (Matt Bladen & Keith Boswell)
Silvertomb - The Interpretation Of Nightmares (Steamhammer) [Matt Bladen]
At the risk of being released probably two weeks too late for Halloween, The Interpretation Of Nightmares is an ideal soundtrack for the frigid nights of November where it's dark at 4pm, the winter chill frostbites the extremities and everything seems a little bleak as the ever encroaching madness of the years end looms over you like a Mariah Carey shaped sleep paralysis demon.
Silvertomb are the embodiment of this winter bleakness, their music is an overspill from Samhain, into the season of darkness, they have auspiciously waited seven years to follow up their debut but this is a supergroup that have languished in the gothic realms of doom and desolation as Silvertomb features two members who have served time with Type O Negative/Danzig.
Vocalist/guitarist Kenny Hickey and drummer Johnny Kelly are the ones that have been in these gothic legends but they are joined by guitarist Joe James (ex-Agnostic Front), bassist Hank Hell (ex-Sheer Terror) and guitarist/keyboardist Aaron Joos, to make a super group of sorts that put their musical fingerprints across this record, their second studio release delayed by a global pandemic and Hickey's struggle with alcohol addiction.
This gap has probably actually been a boon to Silvertomb as this is a stunning record if you like your metal with a a diverse creative influence, as Prayer For The Paranoid and No Way To Live, worship of Iommi, Ozzy and co, the shadow of Sabbath one of the strongest of the styles visited on The Interpretation Of Nightmare.
As the latter gets all trippy in the middle, it opens up some of the other styles that Silvertomb bring to the table with a progressive streak that has some major Pink Floyd inspiration on the middle section of When Will You Learn which shows off the guitar skills on offer from the three guitarists, Graves In The Sky dreamily letting acoustics seep into this psychedelic nightmare.
There's Black Label Society on the big riffing Distorted, Hickey's carrying the same weight and drawl as Zakk as he sings about his addiction and the recovery that came afterwards on You Know, and rejoice as there's Type O nihilism on the opener Brain Matter No God, raw and dirty with thundering bottom end.
If you have even even a passing interest in the bands I mentioned in this review then you need The Interpretation Of Nightmares, a supergroup of epic proportions. 9/10
Scarlet Rebels – Flawed By Design (Earache Records) [Keith Boswell]
The Llanelli four piece will very shortly be releasing their fourth studio album on the Earache Record label entitled Flawed By Design on the 13th November 2026. Emanating from the Arch Recording Studios under the tutelage of producer Chris Clancy is the eleven-track offering from one of Wales’s most popular bands around at the moment Scarlet Rebels.
The album is centred and written around a tragic loss and the reflection of how flawed life is to let that happen. At this point I think it prudent to admit that I am probably the only person in Wales who has not listened to a Scarlet Rebels track ever! So, I go into this review with my eyes open and based upon recent media reaction I am in for a treat! Historically critics have really pushed and praised the Rebels previous album, Where Colours Meet, released in 2024, so no pressure on the band to keep this quality product going then!
So straight into proceedings with the first track Gods Honest Truth which sets the tone for the album, it’s very polished and has some good riffs and hooks, it almost makes you feel comfortable, like a warm duvet, further listening unveils a great solo towards the end of the track from lead guitarist Chris Jones.
Interestingly the intro for track two This Is Happening Now, in my opinion, could almost have been written by the Stereophonics or the Manics, it seems just so typically Welsh with that opening riff that drives the song along, it’s a given that Wayne Doyle certainly has his own voice but I think the listener will understand especially when the hooks continue throughout in the same or similar vein. After listening to a few more tracks, I’m starting to get the feeling that this will be the tempo / style that will be a constant throughout and indeed after a few listens this proves to be the case.
Now I maybe a little controversial here, but I find the songs very similar, and dare I say it somewhat bland. I know I will be shot down by the whole of Wales I’m sure, but it just doesn’t appeal to me. I know that fans of Scarlet Rebels will love it and enjoy this album which is great and so they should. I will endeavour to try and find some love for it by listening further but I’m not convinced that will happen. Technically a well-polished and produced album just not for me. 6/10
Wraith - Descent Into Darkness (Prosthetic Records) [Matt Bladen]
Descent Into Darkness is the sixth album from Midwest thrashers Wraith. Some thrash bands like to have a bit of fun or show off Wraith are not like that, their focussed and ferocious, yes there's lots of guitar solos for the air guitar fans but this Indiana band want to start a riot.
They even play the siren on Atomic Queen to warn you of their impending aggression, it's extreme and packed with lyrics drawn from the darkest parts of history. Rapid pace drumming, razor's edge riffs but melodies that come from twin guitar assault on Misery And Malice that brings similarities to tourmates Midnight and Exciter.
The album is about the horrors of war, World War I, a particularly strong influence for frontman Matt, the blood-drenched fields of Verdun, the Somme and Passchendaele, explored on Over The Top and No Mans Land, these vivid depictions of futility driven by a barbaric thrash metal assault and the shouted vocals.
The band say that Descent Into Darkness is hinged on No Man's Land and Back In The Trenches, the final two songs. Both giving you depictions of the dirt, blood and brutality of WWI in the no nonsense style that Wraith have sharpened to lethal efficiency over five albums, Descent Into Darkness, is on the nastier edge of thrash, with thought provoking lyrics and technical dexterity. 8/10
Yngwie Malmsteen – Hell Or High Water (Music Theories Recording/Artone Label Group) [Keith Boswell]
After forty years in the music industry Yngwie Malmsteen delivers his twenty second studio album Hell Or High Water on the 13th November 2026. Released by Music Theories Recording / Artone Label Group the piece of work consists of nine both instrumental and vocal tracks for a duration of just over forty minutes.
The album is typically Malmsteen, a neoclassical form of fast guitar metal, impossibly fast some may say. After listening to the first few songs, it becomes apparent that this album deserves to seen on the stage in some symphonic manner played by a first class symphony group and not offered out necessarily to rock fans in purely an album format. The music is certainly atmospheric but unfortunately after a few listens it is evident that the music is uninspiring and repetitive.
This may upset the Malmsteen faithful and that’s ok because I’m sure they will hold this piece of work in high regard. I love a guitar solo as much if not more than the next person but even this is too much for me! I take my hat off to Malmsteen and the career that he has had to date but unfortunately this album is very much not for me. 5/10
Reviews: Eternity's End, Mason Hill, Ptolemea, Wood Burnt Red (Keith Boswell, Matt Bladen, Mateusz Stefanow & Spike)
Eternity’s End – Titanblood (Scarlet Records) [Keith Boswell]
Eternity’s End are a power metal band from Bavaria, Germany. Formed in 2014 the band have released their fourth studio album Titanblood on the 6th November 2026.
It has been five years since we last had the privilege of an album from Eternity’s End, would Titanblood live up to the standards that they have set themselves previously?One thing is for sure you know exactly what you are going to get from Eternity’s End and that’s high speed, shred heavy, dramatic, intense metal and one is most certainly not disappointed in this new offering.
On my first listen the band reminded me very much of the 1980’s giants Helloween with their high-pitched vocals and plentiful guitars. This coupled with a mixture of Control Denied’s late vocalist Tim Aymar tones interspersed throughout makes for a heady blend of vocal loveliness.If you enjoy songs that seemingly have their entire duration made up of guitar type solos, percussive double bass pedal action and keyboards to boot, you are in the right place.
That said the first track, The Gods Of Bal Sagoth, opens very delicately with a short acoustic intro, but don’t let this fool you, it last for approximately thirty seconds whereby an avalanche of guitars and drums hit you like a sledgehammer. Its great I love it already!
It is clear that a quality metal guitar shredding symphony of delights awaits the listener, double guitars providing melodic rhythm and crushing solo type notes in tandem, is the order of the day.
Sword In The Storm, sees the introduction of the keyboards as another main ingredient in this metal soup, keyboard player, Jimmy Pitts, provides an atmospheric edge to this song which melds almost as one with the guitars. Great work.
I particularly enjoyed track four, the instrumental Interstellar Transmission, through the use principally of the keyboards and guitars it allows the listener to close their eyes and imagine the transmission of information being passed through the soundwaves in space, its proggy offering just transports you there until it’s time to come back down to earth again.
After this short interlude the album takes off again with The Wakes Of The Carrion King and Eternal Winter, coming down briefly for a series of tempo changes in the Abyss Watchers and concluding proceedings with the all guns firing Rule The Night.
After a number of listens this album has really stuck with me and I’ll be listening to it well after this review has been read! 8/10
Mason Hill - World So Wonderful (7hz Productions) [Matt Bladen]
Heavy rock of the modern kind now with the new record from Mason Hill. An album that has been a long time coming and record against no shortage of issues, roadblocks and general music industry shenanigans.
Despite only being a decade old they have faced record label bull, a pandemic and their singer leaving. Some bands wouldn't survive one of these nevermond all of them, the band themselves even though about closing the book on the band.
However they persevered and Mason Hill's sophomore has finally arrived six years after their debut and it's the sound of a band looking to their new era, a new voice behind the mic leading to a new musical exploration.
They didn't want to repeat what they did on their debut, wanting World So Wonderful to be the definition of who the band are now, tracks like the ballad Stay For A Little While have American alternative rock comes in.
The contempoary sound continuing through the electronics that twitch and pulsate behind their riffs on Hurricane and Silence, as the stomping Burn It Down, Resonate and Without You are the height of modernity as the latter two even opens up to shouted vocals.
Overcoming a lot of adversity, it seems Mason Hill have discovered that there's a World So Wonderful when you persevere and let your music speak for you. 7/10
Ptolemea - The Antfarm Session (RagingPlanet) [Mateusz Stefanow]
Following Ptolemea’s 2025 release of Kali vocalist Priscila Da Costa returned to delve deeper into the depths of her music, to strip back the layers and show the power of her vocals and an acoustic guitar.Thus was born the Antfarm Session; by shedding the post/alt-rock elements of the former release she dives into the dark-folk aspects that underlie her music. Although listening to Kali is not necessary to appreciate the power and depth of this release, I would highly recommend it.
Gaivota has been promoted to the opening track, a purely vocal song, that has lost none of it’s impact from the original release, perhaps gaining a newfound intimacy in the loneliness of the vocals, as Da Costa showcases her phenomenal vocal control.
Aqui, Ali, Acola is next, and the acoustic guitar opens this next song. Featuring soft, drawn out vocal sections paired with more forceful sections this song is floats on the winds of Da Costa’s strumming, giving the track a dark edge and living up to the dark folk subgenre.
Guilhotina once again reminds us that this release lacks nothing despite having less than on Kali, the raw humanity that Priscila carries within her breathes life and depth into this album.
Breathe becomes lighter, with softer strumming, and more restrained vocals, a brighter, musically more gentle song, yet losing no complexity or quality, the high notes are hit flawlessly and uplift the soul, before carrying us up, up and away.
Kura, and then Kali are once again a touch darker, but the darkness of the shadows of leaves on a late summer evening in the forest, slowly encompassing you, whilst the last vestiges of sunlight reach out through the trees.
This album is exquisite, it’s soft, yet powerful, dark yet light, and so simple yet so deep. Da Costa understands what makes her music so emotive and uniquely her own, and lets the petals of Kali fall away to reveal the blooming core beneath, a triumphant success. 9/10
Wood Burnt Red – Hold On Tight (Independent) [Spike]
It’s fair to say that Southern-fried country rock isn't usually the first port of call when rifling through my listening queue.When your day-to-day listening is dominated by caveman death metal slams, feedback-drenched shoegaze, and punishing sludge, dropping a record that trades blast beats for acoustic strums and lap steel requires an immediate shift in gears. It is definitely a good bit "softer" than my usual fare.Here’s the bottom line: if you’re going to pick a genre and commit to doing it properly, you’d better deliver the goods. On Hold On Tight, UK outfit Wood Burnt Red provide a masterclass in how to execute that style with absolute class, heart, and razor-sharp songcraft.
Hailing from Gloucestershire and fronted by vocalist Tom Franklin, Wood Burnt Red don't sound like a bunch of British lads putting on a polite, dress-up pantomime of Americana. They sound like they were raised on sweet tea, porch-sitting, and sawdust barrooms.For fans of Blackberry Smoke, Whiskey Myers, or The Cadillac Three, this record lands like a statement of intent, proving that world-class Southern rock and country can be forged just as effectively on UK soil as it is on the outskirts of Nashville.
The record kicks off with Best Things, immediately setting a cheeky, self-deprecating tone. It’s got a buoyant, hoe-down bounce that leans into wry humour, but with observations that hit uncomfortably close to home.That good-time grin gives way to pure horsepower on Fire Me Up, which hits with the swagger of a bucking bull at a Friday night rodeo. The guitar work here is tight, crunchy, and packed with rock 'n' roll attitude, proving early on that the band can dial up the grit whenever they please.
Where Hold On Tight truly elevates itself, however, is in its emotional honesty. Count My Blessings puts the party vibes aside to confront the brutal realities of addiction and recovery. Franklin’s vocals carry immense weight here, there's no theatrical posturing, just pure, believable vulnerability that makes you hang on every word.That sincerity bleeds right into Bartender, a soulful, whiskey-tinged anthem steeped in classic country storytelling about wanting nothing more than an ear to listen to life's bruises.
The album isn't afraid to linger in darker emotional spaces either. Drifting explores depression with remarkable restraint, keeping the instrumentation sparse and gentle so Franklin's voice has all the room it needs to breathe. That fragile beauty extends into One Chance, a deep, haunting love song that serves as one of the quietest highlights of the collection.
The mood lifts naturally with Every Road, which captures the warmth of a late-night acoustic jam around an open firepit, before Times a Healer brings back the swagger with an infectious, karma-fuelled stomp that puts a broad smile on your face.On Simple Place, the band delivers a stunning, reflective powerhouse about taking stock of what truly matters in life, boasting a towering vocal delivery from Franklin that carries more than a little Scott Stapp/early Creed grit and warmth.
The energy peaks on To The Moon, an upbeat, swaggering number with a killer groove that practically demands line-dancing boots, before the closing powerhouseWhere You Are Now brings the journey home. Starting with gentle reflection before building into a soaring, dual-guitar breakdown, it confronts friendship, disappointment, and hard-earned wisdom with immense emotional payoff.
Hold On Tight might be a stylistic detour from the heavier end of my shelf, but great songwriting is undeniable no matter the decibel level. Wood Burnt Red have delivered a warm, funny, moving, and brilliantly performed record that proves authentic Southern rock has found a formidable new outpost across the Atlantic.An absolute triumph of craft. 8/10
Reviews: Konvent, Purest Form, Dantalion, Sigilo (Matt Bladen, Spike, Mateusz Stefanow & Yasmin Mason)
Konvent - Firesky (Napalm Records) [Matt Bladen]
Back with their third album, Danish band Konvent have only written five new tracks on Firesky but they are the weightiest, heaviest and longest tracks in their career so far.
The foursome of Rikke Emilie List (vocals), Amira Liv Hernan (guitar/vocals), Julie Simonsen (drums) and Heidi Withington Brink (bass) have crafted this album from the ground up, embellishing their death/doom beginnings with darker and more majestic arrangements that shift what Konvent are about, into a more experimental place.
The five tracks here linger in cinematic instrumental realms, with each movement around 10 minutes, these four women have the ability to take risks here, from Exorcise to Postludium it's all about building something, the expanded run times letting the guitar/bass/drums showcase a much more dynamic range than on their last two albums.
With Firesky they adopt a position that allows black metal to inflitrate their sound, using tension and release that results in cascading heavy riffs and the intense vocals, the lumbering doom and atmospheric post realms, cut through with death metal brutality and black metal fury.Firesky is Konvent altering their attention to something different but still well within the musical history as a band. Poignant, vivid and complex, this third album builds on the legacy of Konvent. 8/10
Purest Form – Resistance (Dais Records) [Spike]
There are bands that use industrial textures as a subtle studio seasoning, a bit of cold distortion here, an ominous synth pad there. And then there are acts that treat drum machines, serrated riffs, and 90s rave culture like pure incendiary fuel.Emerging out of Los Angeles with backgrounds firmly rooted in aggressive hardcore outfits, the trio of vocalist Story Beeson, guitarist/programmer Madi Woodward, and bassist Riley Oikawa-Dahlson operate under the banner of Purest Form.On their second EP and debut for Dais Records, Resistance, they deliver a six-track, fifteen-minute anarchist assault designed to shake concrete foundations.
I'll be the first to admit that anything heavily "dance-forward" sits well outside my usual listening comfort zone. If you usually take your heavy music strictly through the medium of human drummers beating acoustic kits to splinters.A record built around fractured breakbeats, drum-and-bass tempos, and techno-infused electronic loops requires a sharp mental pivot. But here is the crux of it: heavy music only survives and evolves when artists possess the courage to push against comfortable boundaries to carve out their own territory.Purest Form are doing exactly that, and that fearless spirit deserves genuine credit.
The EP kicks the door in with Animal and right away the stylistic collisions hit with physical force. Described by the band as "White Zombie meets Underworld," it rides a relentless, danceable pulse underneath crushing, chugged guitar riffs.Beeson’s vocal delivery is immediate and feral, shouting and spitting lines to the brink of vocal-cord shredding. The momentum charges straight into Break, which marries rapid-fire snare rolls with ascending guitars and raw, unhinged aggression, detailing a friendship pushed to extreme, destructive limits.
Clocking in at barely over a minute, Beyond Terror serves as the project's most visceral, direct political statement. Fronted by a guttural vocal scream, it trades in distorted kicks and accelerating industrial stutters that feel like early Nine Inch Nails at their most caustic and confrontational.The energy shifts again on More, where talk-rapped verses give way to eerie screeching textures and frantic breakbeats.
The record hits its rhythmic manifesto on Bass Resistance, unleashing an abrasive siren-call bassline that pairs a drum-and-bass shove with metallic urgency, demanding raw volume and refusal to stand idly by.To round out the set, they turn to a track that has long been a live staple: an aggressive cover of The Prodigy's Breathe. Running that iconic 90s big beat anthem through heavy guitar distortion and Beeson's abrasive vocal shred honours the original's reckless rave energy while giving it a raw, metallic spine.
Resistance won't be for everyone, particularly those who prefer their heavy music kept safely within traditional metal boxes. But Purest Form aren't making polite background music; they've captured modern-day angst, trauma, and defiance through a turbulent collision of hardcore grit and industrial dance music.An intriguing, boundary-pushing release from a young band charging ahead on their own terms. 8/10
Dantalion - Dantalion (Base Record Production) [Mateusz Stefanow]
The self-titled, 10th album by Galician black metal heavyweights Dantalion abandons their former blackened death approach in favour of melodic/atmospheric black metal nihilism.
The album opens with Born Of My Own Damnation, which is a solid start to set the scene for what is to come, with dark, melodic guitarwork, growled vocals and heavier riffs that complement the darkness of the lyrics, focussing on the inherent darkness and decline of the human race.
Ascend Through Ruin showcases Naemoth’s brilliant drumming techniques further, framing the vocals and Netzja’s melodic tremolos on the guitar. It feels as though Netzja is using his guitar as a paintbrush, with each stroke he layers this heavy atmosphere through the melodic technicality of his playing.
Coming in with soaring riffing and deep growls, Whispers From the Inner Abyss embodies that phenomenal album art, in how it makes you feel abandoned by all light and goodness, afloat in that titular abyss.
The Temple Of Internal Ruin feels melancholic, which I think Diego is trying to exacerbate via his clean vocals in sections here, but unfortunately for me, those clean vocals feel out of place and fall a little flat in regard to the rest of the album.
Overall, this is an exquisite performance of atmospheric/melodic black metal, oozing character, grim desperation, melancholy and nihilistic vitriol throughout it’s seven tracks.The return of Diego on vocals was an excellent choice, as he ties everything together with his various vocal techniques, even if not all of them land ideally for me, but hopefully others will find value in that. 8/10
Sigilo - Gloria Ad Inferi (Alma Mater Records) [Yasmin Mason]
First there was Mournkind. And out of the ashes of Mournkind, Sigilo was born, the latest solo project of Duarte "Selvmord" Pombo. Almost a decade in the making, Gloria Ad Inferi - Glory to Hell - is the debut album from Selvmord's latest incarnation.
A tolling bell heralds the start of track 1, Black Spell Of Death Chaos And Destruction. If we were rating song titles, this would be a 10/10 for sure. I have high hopes that the song lives up to it's title.There's a surprisingly catchy intro - which repeats throughout the track - before the full force of the song hits. At nearly eight minutes long it's a behemoth of a track, but it's put together well, with slower tempo sections giving a small respite before the ferocity kicks in again.
Preliminary Invocation and Sombre Prayer For The Ostracized continue in a similar style to track 1, full on ferocious segments interspersed with slower tempo riffs which help to maintain interest throughout. I particularly like the spoken vocals on Preliminary Invocation.
Universal Gathering Chantic, is a little bit more melodic, a little bit slower than the first three tracks. The squeal of the guitars and the more prominent keys, which eventually descend into a dark, distorted carnivalesque effect, give this track an atmosphere all of it's own.
The next few tracks are shorter, faster and more furious but there's plenty to enjoy here, from the repetitive, almost trance inducing riff which plays throughout The Lurking Evil and the opening bars of Everything Satan, to the vocals of As Cosmic Forces Rise, which sound familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on who they remind me of.
Instrumental title track Gloria Ad Inferi again brings a shift in atmosphere with more melodic riffs and keys playing a larger part. With a more uplifting feel, this track again feels reminiscent of something else, but I can't quite figure out what.
Throughout the album, my attention is drawn to the guitars and vocals, with the drums and occasional keys very much playing a supporting role. There are plenty of catchy riffs throughout. I find myself enjoying Selvmord's vocals throughout the album but especially so on Engodo. Hearing Selvmord perform vocals in Portuguese elevates them to another level.
The final two tracks, Cavernous Black Spell Of Death Chaos And Destruction and Cavernous Universal Chantic are repeats of earlier songs with a grainier production and with the keys much more prominent in the mix.Do I like these versions? Yes. They sound more raw, more demo like. I like that. However others who prefer a more polished production may be less enthused by the addition of these two tracks.
Overall an enjoyable and strong offering and well worth a spin! 8/10
A View From The Back Of The Room: Manic Street Preachers & Suede (Alex Swift)
Manic Street Preachers & Suede, Utilita Arena, Cardiff, 04.11.26
At a time when Oasis are selling out stadiums, a co-headline tour with Suede and The Manic Street Preachers seems apt. Alongside Pulp, both bands appealed to a desire for cynical anti-pop that directly contrasted the braggadocios over-optimism of Brit-Pop.
If Definitely Maybe is where you went for escapism, then Dog Man Star and The Holy Bible were where you’d go to remind yourself that you were still being stamped on constantly from on high (Blur, perhaps naively, sought to court both camps).
The former spoke to lad-culture, while the latter two spoke to wallflowers, and outsiders. While they were all tarred, at first, with the flag-waving ‘brit-pop’ label, they reportedly came to despise the term. Theirs was a fiercely militant act, rooted in queer spaces and libraries. It should be no surprise then, that the acts performing tonight comprise two of my favourite 1990’s bands.
Suede (10) bear all the swagger and confidence of a band who have total confidence in their performance and songs. Brett Anderson is a vivacious presence, constantly jumping off stage to interact with the crowd, or leading the audience in a joyous choir of voices.While they barely address the crowd between songs, Animal Nitrate and Trash speak for themselves as yearning anthems about existing on the fringes of society, impervious to the sneering looks of strangers or the stories they tell behind your back.
That being said, Suede’s newer songs are equally affecting. While they are not as well renowned, they might as well be considering how much passion is poured into the performances of tracks like Disintegrate. One of the most moving moments comes with She Still Leads Me On.Taken from 2022’s excellent Autofiction record, the song is a moving tribute to Brett Anderson’s mother who died from cancer just as he was forming the band. It’s a piece that speaks to the messy, complicated nature of how love and grief persist in spite of a person’s imperfections.This, alongside the piano led performance of The Wild One’s makes this half of tonight’s show incredibly emotional. A sentiment that pays off in the closing moments of The Beautiful Ones where we are invited to sing along to the sardonic, yet euphoric chorus of ‘La La La’ which closes the song and the set. A difficult act to follow.
Manic Street Preachers (8) provide a brilliant show. Tearing through anthems like You Stole The Sun From My Heart and A Design For Life, there’s an elated feel to their set. James Dean Bradfield has long been one of my favourite frontmen, and he performs these songs perfectly, his remarkable range eloquently giving life to songs like Everything Must Go.While many of these songs are reframed and given new meaning by political ongoings, they bear out as exemplary tributes to Welsh identity. The culture, places and people we all grew up with bleeds into these songs, imbuing every singalong with a sense of friendship in the face of adversity.
That being said, as you can probably tell from my score, this was not a perfect experience. To be absolutely clear, Nicky Wire is an icon, an incredible songwriter, and the Manics longevity is in no small part, due to him. All of that being said, he has grown far too confident in his (very limited) ability to sing with later releases.For this reason, the decision of the band perform Hiding In Plain Sight from their most recent album - the frankly underwhelming Critical Thinking – leaves many shrugging their shoulders and wondering what they are hearing. This reception, I hope, will be taken as an indication of the bands limits next time they visit Cardiff.
Paying tribute to Richie Edwards, at one point of the show James stands in the centre of the stage and plays the eternally sad This Is Yesterday, before transitioning into the mournful Everlasting.“There may only be three of us up here tonight, but we will always be a four-piece” Wire remarks at one point, signalling the permanence with which their fallen bandmate lives in these musicians’ minds. His presence is there in every moment from the visceral Slash And Burn to the spine-tinging Die In The Summertime.
As per tradition, The Manics close of If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next. Its another song that feels increasingly relevant, with each passing injustice, and a reminder to carry the messaging in these lyrics into the world outside of concert arena’s.Indeed, while I began this review by talking about these bands place as anti-pop artists, it’s difficult to ignore the reality that they are now legacy acts. They would be the first to admit that. And yet, in spite of the time that’s passed since both bands sought to defy convention.There’s something that rings true to people like me about their ability to capture experiences of struggling to find your voice, in some of the most beautiful songs ever committed to paper! Besides, if the beautiful ones get to cash in on their nostalgia, then so do we!
Reviews: Joanne Shaw Taylor, Bernie Marsden, Robin Thrower, Eric Steckel (Matt Bladen)
Joanne Shaw Taylor - The Trouble With Love (Journeyman Records)
If the new owners of 007 are looking for the next Bond theme then might I suggest This Is Who I Am from the latest Joanne Shaw Taylor album, The Trouble With Love, the slow burning track originally by Celeste, features Joanne's soulful vocals against plaintive piano stings and sweeping orchestration.
It's a barn burner but one of many on this latest record, from the rollicking title track which features long time friend/collaborator Joe Bonamassa on extra guitar, to the emotional Tired Of Being Right, the gospel blues of Hell Or High Water or the painful What Good Is My Love which features Orianthi, these two guest slots indicative of the records theme of exploring relationships.
Not just romantic ones, but toxic ones on Bad Boy and ones where friendship is at the heart, often offering something stronger than any relationship, as Joanne proves with the showstopping You And Me (Rachel's Song), showing vulnerability, as Never Gonna Please Them has a defiant fire to it.
Every track on The Trouble With Love features those raspy, authentic vocals and guitar wizardary that seamlessly moves between different soundscapes, capturing blues rock toughness, soulful honesty and some atmospheric wonderment on Death Wish.
Each track sonically boosted by Kevin Shirley to add another brilliant record to Joanne Shaw Taylor collection. 8/10
Bernie Marsden - STAGE (Conquest Music)
The fifth and final album in the Bernie Marsden Inspirations Series is STAGE, celebrating the place where this titan of British blues rock was perhaps most at home.
His live performances were always something to behold, especially in South Wales as he became the house artist for Steelhouse Festival for a number of years, with Steelhouse Festival founders, Mikey & Max paying haonge to great man in the linear notes for this album who will always remain a Steelhouse legend.
STAGE combines four live concerts from across three decades, each showcasing Marsden's brilliant voice and guitar playing, but also his warmth and charisma that endeared him to anyone that was in the room with home while he performed.
Opening with an intimate acoustic performance from The Radcliffe Centre, Buckingham in 2008, it's great way to ease yourself into Marsden on stage, intricate playing, soft strings and an audience in awe as he plays Out On The Western Plains a Leadbelly tune that he makes his own.
While closing this side with Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City, the Bobby 'Blue' Bland track that Marsden introduced to David Coverdale and became a Whitesnake staple from then on, stripped back to it's roots, it perhaps hits harder with the additional strings.
The second set is culled from his 2019 slot on the Keeping The Blues Alive At Sea, cruise and features rollicking tracks such as Boss Of The Blues and Reconsider Baby, all with a brass section parping behind him, showcasing the versatility of his playing.
Side C gets old school Blues rock showcase from Notodden Blues Festival, Norway in 1996, Marsden joined by Snowy White, Tony Ashton, David Levy & Henry Spinetti, for an incendiary set that ends with a ferocious version of Fleetwood Mac's Oh Well.
So far there's every facet of Bernie Marsden's playing, the last part of the record coming from Under The Bridge in 2020, the influence of Marsden can be really felt here with Walking In The Shadow Of The Blues form 1979's Lovehunter and a killer guitar duel with Joe Bonamassa on Walking By Myself originally by Jimmy Rogers but more famously by The Gary Moore.
After his untimely passing in 2023, these records serve as documents of a life well lived. With STAGE he's surrounded by friends and fans who are left in no doubt that this is where Bernie Marsden belongs. 8/10
Robin Trower - Shine (Provogue Records)
There are living legends in this industry and then there are musicians like Robin Trower, at 81 years old he's still creating and writing and touring, his late career creativity just as important to him as those early days with Procol Harum and 1974's Bridge Of Sighs.
As I said, as Trower shifted into legendary status, he didn't take the easy way out and regurgitate those early songs that are rock radio staples, instead he chose to keep writing and performing as in his words: “I think you’ve either got to keep pushing – or give up.”
There's no fear of giving up, Trower is a man who will be eeking emotion out of that Stratocaster until the very end, playing with all the heart and soul as he did in his younger years. Across nearly thirty records, he's collaborated with numerous artists, most recently Sari Schorr.
His own volumes of work is frightening, eight albums in ten years, and no signs of slowing down yet as Shine continues that creative pace as a record that is about the struggle of now but tried not to be to maudlin, instead Trower, wants to give hope.
There's a feeling if hope that runs through the record, it's funky, bluesy and features that oh so memorable guitar sound of Trower's with Live Your Time, The Missing Piece, and the moody Driving Through all featuring the best guitar work for my money as Trower takes guitar and bass on this record.
Chris Taggart's drums anchors the grooves and Richard Watts proves to be the best vocal foil for Trower's playing, though Jess Hayes does a great job on Truth, joining this well established band easily on more guitar driven bluesing from this definition of a legend. 8/10
Eric Steckel - Sandstorm (SPV)
Eric Steckel does things the old way, inspired by Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, Rory Gallagher Stevie Ray Vaughan or any act that defines authentic, organic blues rock, without the need for studio tricks, cinematic soundscapes and the like, just emotional soulful vocals and powerhouse guitar playing.
Having played in over 30 countries, the 23 year veteran is no young hotshot, though he is only 34, he's been storming stages for a long while now with something described as blues metal, a fierce concoction of heavy riffs he's been lauded as one of the best blues guitarists in the world and his new album Sandstorm is hell of a lot of fun for blues rock fans.
Packed with meaty riffs, tracks such as The Other Guy and What I Want To Believe have a macho heavy metal ethos to them, the latter falling into some Alter Bridge grooves. Steckel can also capture the pure spirirt of the blues with the Blues For The Lonely and the smokey slinking of Empty Promises, here channeling the dram and staging of Gary Moore.
Eric has a pretty high pedigree having played with/in support of Ray Charles, B.B King and John Mayall and that just seeps through every note of Sandstorm, and while he's a new name to me, I'm going to be deep diving into the catalogue of Eric Steckel on the back of how darn good this album is. 9/10
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Outlaws Of The Sun
Stoner Rockers DEVILLE Release Second Single DELUSION From Upcoming Self-Titled New Album Due Out December 2026
This winter, Malmö heavy rock pioneers Deville return with their self-titled album – a powerful and wide-ranging record that brings together more than two decades of influences, experience and uncompromising energy.
Formed in Malmö in 2004, Deville have built a reputation for their distinctive blend of heavy rock, metal and stoner. Since releasing their debut album in 2007, the band have released six albums, played more than 500 shows and festivals across Europe, Australia and the United States, and shared stages with Red Fang, Fu Manchu, Sepultura, Torche, Mustasch and many more.
Deville brings the band’s different musical sides together. Progressive metal, which has become increasingly prominent on their recent releases, meets straight-up hard rock, ’90s influences and stoner rock.
“It’s a very broad record, moving from the progressive metal we’ve explored more on our recent albums to straight-up hard rock, with clear ’90s and stoner rock influences. It brings together all of our influences from over the years – a heavy, genre-crossing record,” says Andreas Bengtsson, vocalist and guitarist of Deville.
The album’s lyrical themes take a darker, more introspective turn, exploring change, loss, disillusionment, inner struggle and the urge to break free. Tracks such as “Your Sanctuary,” “Delusion,” “Drifting Tide” and “Dead Among the Living” reflect a recurring sense of uncertainty and transformation, while “Off My Track” delivers a more defiant message of breaking away and moving forward.
Musically, the album balances the weight and intensity Deville are known for with a broader and more dynamic approach to songwriting. The result is a record that draws from the band’s past without being confined by it.
Check out the new song DELUSION from their upcoming self-titled album due out 11th December on Sixteentimes Music.
Links
https://deville.nu/
https://facebook.com/devilleband
https://instagram.com/devilleband
https://youtube.com/devilleband
https://open.spotify.com/artist/29xpUzbL2gwBW0VuHU26G8?si=5V7NO-kpTmaLvx4clqKV3QThanks to Deville for the details.
DOZER - Reflect to Rewind: A Rarities Collection (Album Review)
Release Date: November 13th 2026. Record Label: Blues Funeral Recordings. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Reflect to Rewind: A Rarities Collection - Tracklist
Exoskeleton (Part I)
Day Of The Rope
Down
Dumper Dumper
Twilight Sleep
The Phantom
Infinity x 10
Sonic Reducer
Typhoon
Sub Ethna
Mongoloid
The Wreck
The Cruise Might Have Been Too Much
Lazering The Vault
Bitchin’
Review
Stoner Rock legends DOZER released an incredible greatest hits set last year called Rewind to Return: Rarities, Singles and B-Sides. That album ended up becoming one of my favourite albums last year and they normally say lightning doesn’t strike twice. However, nobody ever told DOZER that as they’ve released another greatest hits set which is right up there as one of the best albums this year.
This album is perhaps a more Punk Rock and rebellious affair as it perfectly shows DOZER’s transformation over the years through the majority of the tracks contained here. There’s some classic tracks here but also a great collection of B Sides I haven’t heard in decades and it was great to see what they sounded like once more. The album is quite extensive, running around seventy four minutes across fifteen tracks that shows how DOZER became Sweden’s premier Stoner Metal band.
Rewind to Return: Rarities, Singles and B-Sides has once more been mastered by their longtime collaborator Karl Daniel Lidén who painstakingly remaster this volume track by track. There’s a refreshing slice of modern fuzzed out atmospherics appearing which still allows the record to sound quite classical in its own right which you can feel right through the opening batch of opening tracks such as: Exoskeleton (Part 1), Day Of The Rope, Down and Dumper Dumper.
There are certain aspects where we see DOZER beginning to create their iconic Stoner Rock/Metal sound with the majority of these tracks having a classic Punk Rock attitude where the later tracks sees that vital sound that has become a massive part of their modern day sound. Which is quite surprising since this record isn’t in any chronological order at all but everything flows naturally throughout. DOZER proves time and time again why they’re one of the most essential acts within the global Heavy Rock scene on tracks such as Day Of The Rope, Twilight Sleep, Infinity x10, Sonic Reducer, Sub Ethna, The Cruise Might Have Been Too Much and Bitchin’.
One of the most superbly entertaining tracks is their amazing cover of the classic DEVO track Mongoloid which is giving a true Stoner Rock makeover whilst paying homage to the original track. There are grooves, riffs and extended instrumental passages that put some modern day releases to absolute shame with DOZER solidifying their reputation as one of the legendary bands within the Stoner Rock/Metal scene.
Reflect to Rewind: A Rarities Collection is the perfect companion piece to last year’s Rewind to Return: Rarities, Singles and B-Sides with both records offering a different perspective to DOZER’s legendary musical career which will leave you on the edge of your seat everytime you listen to the album.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.
Rewind to Return: Rarities, Singles and B-Sides is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl from Blues Funeral Recordings.
Links
Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
Suntex - Wander (Single Review)
Release Date: November 13th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Wander - Tracklist
Wander
Members
Rachel French: vocals, acoustic guitar
Kyle Ankrum: electric guitar
John Fauller: bass
Brian French: drums, timpani
Review
Wander is the debut single from Cinematic Doomsters Suntex who breathe a classic style of Western, Folk, Psych and Alt-Metal themes into their music. The sound is quite authentic with Suntex breathing new creative life and a determined focus in the Drone/Desert Rock sound that could easily fit a classic Quentin Tarantino movie such as KILL BILL or The Hateful Eight.
The song is a great mix of Alt Rock, Folk and Doomed Out Soundscapes with lead vocalist Rachel French having an earthly approach in how the vocals are delivered. Wander is quite gloomy and american based with a healthy cinematic approach that should appeal to fans such as EARTH and 16 Horsepower.
There’s an essence of Outlaw Country Rock that appears within the lyrics and how Suntex play their music in the very later stages of the track. The band are releasing their debut album in February 2027 and this is a great sign of things to come with Suntex creating a highly atmospheric track that oozes genuine excitement and real dramatic flair when everything is said and done.
Excellent and Highly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
Links
Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
Exclusive Album Premiere Of Doom-Pop/Sludge/Stoner Rockers SIXYEARHEX Superb Debut Album LIMINAL SPACE CADET
Following 2024's “Under The Glow” EP and a string of singles this year, North Carolina’s doom pop power duo SIXYEARHEX are ready to unleash their debut full-length, “Liminal Space Cadet”..jpg)
The tag is no misnomer: SIXYEARHEX deal in inescapably catchy hooks built on a foundation of gravelly crunch and soaring riffs. Early QOTSA and Lanegan-esque grunge can be glimpsed among the grooves, and the rolling powerhouse drumming of Derrick Brown builds a meaty bedrock beneath the crisp, charisma-packed vocal performance of Rob Broyhill.
IN THE BAND'S OWN WORDS:
Rob - "I'm excited to put this first full-length album out into the world. The ‘Under The Glow’ EP was me doing everything, just trying to introduce SIXYEARHEX to the heavy underground. But this time around it was great to step back, not be an engineer, and just focus on the performances and collaborating with a like-minded individual. That collaboration process took the songs to places they wouldn't have been able to go otherwise. I'm very proud of this album and think it's a strong statement for our first chapter and sets a clear foundation for where we're going next.".jpg)
Derrick - "I couldn't be happier to collaborate with Rob on this two piece project. I feel that the album combines a lot of our shared philosophical ideas lyrically about the modern world and exemplifies key elements of our musical backgrounds and tastes."
Thanks to the great folks over at Good Boy PR, we're excited to premiere the stunning new album LIMINAL SPACE CADET in full.
SIXYEARHEX - Liminal Space Cadet
Album out November 13th, 2026
Self-released (CD, Cassette, Digital)
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, US
FFO: Torche • early QOTSA • Clutch • Mastodon
Artwork by Rob Broyhill
Original photograph by Justin Driscoll
SIXYEARHEX is:Rob Broyhill – Guitar, Vocals
Derrick Brown – Drums, VocalsLinks:Thanks to Good Boy PR for the details.
Exclusive Album Premiere Of VIRAL TYRANT Brutal New Live Record LIVE AT HALLOWED HALLS
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Sludgy, blackened, thoroughly doomed Portland riff masters Viral Tyrant are set to release live album “Live At Hallowed Halls”, recorded at the titular recording studio
Capturing the four piece in their live natural habitat, Viral Tyrant lay down five brutal slabs of heavy from their 2023 debut album “Vultures Like You”.IN THE BAND'S OWN WORDS:
Says Dylan Fields (Guitar):“This live EP represents a transition point for us - it’s a celebration of our debut record as well as a turning toward what’s next. These songs will always be part of our catalogue and we love playing them live, but this record is very much a send off to the “Vultures Like You” era as we look toward the release of our new album next year, again in conjunction with Ripple Music.
We wanted to represent ourselves in a raw state - playing live is important to us and we want to be known as a band who puts out energy on stage and makes live performance meaningful for the audience, because it means a lot to us.”.png)
Eric Wallace (Guitar/Vocals):“This live record is raw and unfiltered. The energy we channel live was captured with honesty and power at Hallowed Halls - saturated and visceral, baking in the summer heat. From the shredded vocal chords to the blasting wall of guitars and the oppressive percussion of the drums, this live set represents an end of one era and the birth of another.”.png)
Mitch Meidinger, Drums:
"For me it was an awesome show and exactly what I signed up for when I decided to dedicate my life to drumming. This show is as pure as music and Viral Tyrant can get, it's awesome we decided to do a live recording and I hope it's not our last!".png)
Casey Martin, Bass/Vocals:"This is our band progressing from our first to our second record in real time. Even now, we are tighter and heavier than before. Live At Hallowed Halls is a bridge between our first and second albums; it’s a natural progression into MUCH heavier territory."Thanks to the amazing folks at Good Boy PR we're excited to premiere the new record below:Credits:
- Recorded live at The Bomber at Hallowed Halls Recording Studio in Portland, Oregon
- Mastered by Rob Wrong (Witch Mountain) at Wrong Way Recording in Portland Oregon
- Tracks Edited By Seanen McCollough at Helvete Studios in Portland, Oregon
- Live Photos by Eddie Brnabic
- Band Photos by Brittany Rose Hardcastle
Viral Tyrant is:Dylan Fields - Guitar
Eric Wallace - Guitar, Vocals
Mitch Meidinger - Drums
Casey Martin - Bass, Vocals
Tracklist:1. The Felling of the Doom Tree (10:44)
2. Beacon Omega (7:12)
3. Blunt Force and Sheer Ignorance (7:52)
4. A Savage, Ensnared (8:02)
5. Vosturan (7:42)
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Stoner HiVe
Stoner Hive’s Quick Fire Friday
Stoner Hive’s Quick Fire Friday
It's been a while... (Sorry for the possible flashback.) But welcome! To another wild Quick Fire Friday edition... Courtesy of our in house poet: Ronny Dijksterhuis. He has once again chosen some glorious singles, videos or EP's to throw at you. And all of them are worth every second of your time. Ronny Dijksterhuis knows the deal! And you know what that means... Things will get hot and heavy from here on in! Like molten lava!Due to some personal stuff getting in the way, I wasn't able to do much for Stoner HiVe lately, but here we are: back as fresh as possible and loading another 8 shot canon with recent releases. Don't avoid those sonic cannonballs, but catch 'em all with pride, starting with...
Jazim Rose - Diesel and The Grease
This is stunning. A one man, 100% DIY project that brings full band energy on its debut single 'Diesel and The Grease', a song that masters powerful, stonerized hard rock to perfection. Pure fuzz-driven ear candy. B-side 'Jealous on the Weekend' takes a slightly different approach, less hard-hitting with more melody, but it's another fine example of what this Australian musician can do.
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Mount - Measuring Time By FeelingMount is a new band emerging from the sewers of Eindhoven, The Netherlands. But don't mistake new for inexperienced, because the three musicians are former members of Het Droste Effect, Hijos de Mayo and An Evening With Knives. 'Measuring Time By Feeling' is a first glimpse into their universe, where instrumental psychedelic, space-tinged solar travels interact with down to earth doom and stoner (of the relaxing woodland variety that is, not the swamp or desert kind). It carries you towards a place where - indeed - time is measured by feeling and nothing else. As a bonus there's also a delayed dimension remix of the track, which delivers more or less what it suggests. We here at Stoner HiVe are looking forward to more from these three blokes.
Doom! Noo Yelbek - YELBEKI guess most of our readers will know by now I like throwing in some curveballs. This time around it's the highly technical and ultra-diverse psychedelic rock from Swiss quartet Doom! Noo Yelbek, whose feeling for off-beat timing is more precise than the watches their home country is known for. Psych pop, krautrock, heavy outbursts. It's all there at various stages of this ep and within the songs itself. Bouncy and jumpy without ever keeling over. If I was pressed to describe 'YELBEK' with one word, it would probably be captivating, because that's exactly what it is.
Gatta Morta - Music for FurbiesGatta Morta is a band consisting of Buzz Osborne (Melvins), Clinton Jacob (mr.phylzzz), JD Pinkus (Butthole Surfers, Melvins) and Coady Scott Willis (Melvins, Big Business). Their second single 'Music for Furbies' is written by Jacob and displays obvious influences from mr.phylzzz, but when put in the hands of the other three musicians it evolves to something that's smack back in the middle of all the bands mentioned above. Hitting the bullseye for the second time in a row, there are more than enough indications Gatta Morta's debut album 'Immaculator', to be released next February, will be a great one.
Rowdy - Down and DirtyEvery once in a while I'm fully into straight forward southern stoner metal and this here is as good as it gets. Energetic, gritty and with a groove that's impossible to deny. Pump your fist, stomp your feet, grab a six pack and off you go.
Demonpussy - Men As PetsDemonpussy's music can best be described as a heavy juggernaut that balances somewhere on the brink (or should I say on the razorblade handcuffs?) of metal, sludge, stoner and punk. Their new single 'Men As Pets' gives you an indication that those handcuffs will match perfectly with a spiked dog collar put inside out around the neck of a male human being, knowing that the leash chain attached to it won't ever leave the firm grip of front woman Blaze Powers. Dang, this is heavy shit that (indeed) blazes with power. Oh yeah, and while you're diving into this song, also check out the equally impressive previous single 'Angel of Death', released back in February, which has gotten a video treatment just a few weeks ago.
Pythies - Unholy AddictionPythies is a French band and the brain child of Lise.L. Drawing much of the inspiration from nineties alternative rock, their latest single roams somewhere in no woman's land between Hole, L7, Sonic Youth and Stone Temple Pilots. With mid-paced grooves, downward hooks and a heartfelt delivery, this will probably appeal to quite some Hivelings.
Clutch - Beware the Fever
The final band of this exercise needs no introduction at all and you've all probably heard it by now, but here it is anyway: Clutch's fantastic new single 'Beware the Fever', released last Tuesday, November 10th. As this song isn't on Bandcamp, y'all have to make do with the music video. Even though there are some surprising country/bluegrass influences (especially in the verses) due to the use of a banjo throughout, this is unmistakably Clutch at their very, very best: massive riffs, a tight as fuck rhythm section, great lyrics and Neil Fallon's one of a kind vocal delivery. Instantly one of my favourite Clutch songs in years. And that's taking into account the high bar they set for themselves with (almost) every release.
Now it's time to leave you again. Have a great time checking these singles and EP's out and until next time!
Iglesia Atómica - Low Cost & High Grasa
Iglesia Atomica - Low Cost & High Grasa
Acero Latino Records – 2026
Rock, Psych, Jam
Rated:I’d like to speak on behalf of an album that was released earlier this year, so let’s take a time warp way back to May. You may very well remember it, or then again, it may have flown completely under your radar. If you’re in the second category here, that’s the whole point of bringing up Low Cost & High Grasa all these months later. Iglesia Atómica hail from Puerto Rico and specialize in a wonderful blend of heavy psych, retro rock, and stoner rock. Extended instrumental jam sessions with an improvisational spirit that don’t necessarily follow a predetermined path form the backbone of all their releases.
Low Cost & High Grasa explodes like a powder keg with the opening title track, as the hard-hitting drums blast away, setting the stage for a barrage of fuzz-drenched riffs and spiraling lead guitar licks. Short of midway through the seven-minute track we’re decelerated and introduced to a funky reggae-inspired sequence that offers a glimpse into the diversity of Iglesia Atómica’s musical direction. The album itself is pretty diverse, we have ‘Monolito’, that taps into the stoner-doom realm with a creeping tempo and repetitive doomy riff that lumbers along a darkened path. ‘Cambrian Explosion’, a noise-driven track that builds from single-celled origins into a chaotic eruption of sound, before evolving into a more defined structure. The extra fuzzy, 70’s inspired ‘Dopper’, that utilizes swaggering lead guitar, bass-wah, and cowbell to achieve a seriously heavy groove. ‘Mandrake’ takes us down a rabbit hole of bluesy heavy psych, gradually building into a massive sonic experience, one you won’t want to crawl out of. All roads so far have led us to the fittingly titled ‘The Magnificent Beast’. What a super fun and funky tune! The use of keys, especially at the beginning, truly elevate this classic rock influenced track. Infused with tons of rhythmic personality and topped off with acid rock guitar, it’s a highly infectious song with a loose, swinging groove that’s impossible to resist.
If you pick up the digital version on Bandcamp there’s also an extra twelve-minute track titled ’20,000’. We’ll let the reader dive into that one, just know it makes for a great alternative ending to the already amazing Low Cost & High Grasa. Iglesia Atómica have had a long journey since 1990, one full of exciting releases. I’d imagine as frequent as they’re making music, it’s possible they’re already in the process of the next chapter. Until then, we’ll continue to savor this latest offering.(Written by Jon McGough)
Godzilla In The Kitchen – Termination Sequence
Godzilla In The Kitchen – Termination Sequence
Tonzonen Records – 2026
Metal, Alternative, Stoner, Prog
Rated: ****How on earth… We’ve been spinning the shit out of this one! For weeks! But… But… They only ended up on spot 32 on the October Doom Charts? Insanity! Of course, there have been many other great and heavy releases in October. But… But… But Godzilla In The Kitchen bring their own kind of heaviness. And with the, in every possible way, brand new, Termination Sequence they have set the dials for total destruction!
A cinematic explosion! A collapsing concrete tower! An unpleasant encounter with the machinery of modern civilization. And somewhere in the midst, there's Godzilla In The Kitchen, who have found themselves a new musical playground to explore. For it is new and unexplored, and it might just all become dust before you can connect, due to the imminent detonation. It is Termination Sequence! And with this new album, the Leipzig three embark on an ambitious musical transformation. Gone are the days of purely instrumental stoner rock origins. And welcomed, is a more adventurous alternative metal sound.
The new drummer, Brazilian born Thiago Presto changes the beat. And together with bassist Simon Ulm's decision to move behind the microphone gives the band an entirely new dynamic. And without sacrificing the progressive instincts that were always there, the new sound still feels like an entirely new beast. Across eight tracks, the band lurches between pulverizing riffs, hypnotic grooves and atmospheric detours in such a lovely way, that you often feel mesmerized by its development. The color scheme drifting towards Tool on quite a few occasions. And yes, Presto’s Brazilian blood elevates the rhythmic progression and seems to add yet another unpredictable ingredient to all the chaos delivered by the Godzilla In The Kitchen three.
The lyrics seem to peer into the darker corners of humanity, politics and a future that feels ever more destitute. And the atmosphere of the songs mirror that constant somber outlook, but thanks to the constant shifts in execution it never becomes bleak. Songs such as Nothing For None, Birdsong and Wonder demonstrate their uncanny ability to move between aggression and melancholy with unexpected musical twists. Not everything lands perfectly. Luckily. A few passages feel lengthy and the vocals, albeit being highly interesting and varied, still have room to develop. Good. Cause hey, perfection would make this whole freakin affair a whole lot less interesting! In the end, Termination Sequence is a strident, adventurous and convincing reinvention. One that makes one lust, paradoxically enough, for the future. Godzilla In The Kitchen have taken a risk, and it has paid off big, in a huge, expansive and compelling statement. Indeed, Godzilla In The Kitchen is on a whole new rampage! They’ve kicked out the kitchen door, released a monster and left us to deal with the consequences! Termination Sequence is some highly explosive stuff!
(Written by JK)
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Stoner HiVe’s Top 10 Most Listened Artists Last Week…
Stoner HiVe’s
Top 10 Most Listened Artists Last Week…
King Buffalo
Geishas of Doom
Deadeye Navigator
Jerky Dirt
Secrets of Lost Empires
Great Falls
The Samuel Jackson Five
Godzilla In The Kitchen
Capacopter
Laser DraculIt’s time to look back at the week gone and dusted. And look forward to a new week, where everything is possible. As always. But what will come of it… We’ll see! The review for the new King Buffalo album, so good once again, might be a few weeks off, but two of the other bands in the Top 10 shown here will see a review this week. The writing is almost finished…
Last week, we of course spent a lot of time with the October Doom Charts! But still managed to mention Helldorado Festival! Happening this Saturday, Eindhoven. There might still be a ticket or two. A live album by Geishas of Doom got mentioned, that crazy The Grok album and the awesome new Domkraft record. Let’s see if we can do more this week! Either way, I hope you check all of it out! The bands and their albums are worth it…Below is the Top 10 playlist for Week 46, featuring a selection of albums and tracks from my Bandcamp collection that are currently available to listen to...
Domkraft – Night Songs
Domkraft – Night Songs
Magnetic Eye Records – 2026
Rock, Psych, Doom, Stoner
Rated: ****Love live Domkraft! And Long live Whiskers! May you always find your way back home… Sorry, only a handful of you lucky few readers might get that little joke. Although, maybe it’s a universal thing? I don’t know. What do I know? What I do know, is that the new Domkraft album is once again doing everything you wants it to do. And it will surely make you feel at home in their very own sound! It’s called Night Songs, and will be out November 20th on Magnetic Eye Records.
Domkraft have of course never needed to prove anything. The re-release of their 2025 self-titled debut for the ten year anniversary was a welcome one but everyone already knew. Everyone has been in tune with the three Swedes for quite some time now. For they have delivering one crushing, fuzzed-out, psychedelic doom record after another. Each release adding yet another dimension to their already impressive sound. That sonically dense and incredibly booming sound.
And after those enormous sonic adventures called Seeds and Sonic Moons we now find ourselves arriving and being whisked away immediately, by their fifth full-length called Night Songs. This time around however, there is something different in the air and it’s completely tangible. Because sometimes, as we all know, life throws things at you that are far heavier than any riff could ever be. And in this case, the personal struggles surrounding this record have clearly left a mark.
Facing a darkness that’s goes well beyond all the doom you can envision, Guitarist Martin Widholm faced a serious medical ordeal. It brought Widholm and his comrades in the band face to face with mortality. And perhaps that’s the tangible dread that seems to linger in the still cosmically dense power music on Night Songs. It might even be where it derives it’s strength. By turning that darkness, dread and shadow into something powerful, beautiful and utterly absorbing.
Domkraft remain very much Domkraft on Night Songs. The enormous wave of fuzz, the hypnotic repetitions, the crushing bass lines and the almost smothering psychedelic atmosphere are all still there, alive and pushing. But on some level, Night Songs does feel more introspective, more evocative, yet also more nebulous than before. Seven songs. Seven compositions that seem to breathe differently, allowing more space for atmosphere and emotion to creep into those familiar Domkraft sonic landscapes. The heaviness is still monumental but seems less about pummeling the listener into submission. It’s something a bit more vulnerable that seems to flow underneath all that distortion. It adds something extra.
Recorded once again at Studio Gröndahl in Stockholm by David Castillo and mixed and mastered by Karl Daniel Lidén, this new step in the Domkraft evolution still feels entirely like Domkraft. Which you probably already heard with their first single, Eclipse (Outlast the Night). A slightly airier, more melancholic side of the band, without sacrificing any of that characteristic heft. Opener Unnamed opens the other way around, a sonic explosion first, and then a new chugging march towards that tiny sliver of light shining through the windows. A song that immediately proves Domkraft have taken everything that made them such a formidable force in psychedelic doom, allowed their personal experiences to seep in, and turned it into something that feels both familiar and a surprise. Simply brilliant, and so are the other six songs. Night Songs might have been born out of some very dark circumstances, but what emerges from it is another magnificent piece of psychedelic heaviness, one that keeps pulling you deeper with every spin, like a sonically dense whirlpool…(Written by JK)
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Magnetic Eye RecordsNumber 3 on the Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown of 2023
Number 1 on the Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown of 2021
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Screaming From the Heavy Underground
Bremen Stoner Psych Trio Low Monkey Releases Debut EP
Low Monkey is an up-and-coming stoner psych trio from Bremen, Germany who released their self-titled debut EP on October 31, 2026. The group consists of Sebastian (also of Swell-O, one of the first bands I covered here on the blog) on guitar and vocals, Oddi on bass, and Jens on drums and vocals.Low Monkey - (self-titled)
This three-track EP offers a condensed but comprehensive introduction to Low Monkey, as each song possesses a distinct identity. The EP opens with Glaciers, a song that can be described as "gentle but mighty," marked by delicate atmospheres that carry a certain air of formidability as they build into powerful swells of intensity. The middle track, The World Won't Wait, sharply switches gears with saccharine sweet, irresistible pop rock melody. The final song Stranded Surfer, a psych-forward track that, in spite of boasting a bit of a heavy rock influence, remains beautifully expansive, open, and airy, without being excessively long and drawn out.It's safe to say that Low Monkey has made a memorable first impression with this EP. Naturally, it feels like the three songs blaze by way too quickly, but they do a perfect job at cluing us into the wide variety of styles and moods the band can generate.The sound is crisp, not overly mixed, and far from muddy, giving a clear but organic listening experience that oftentimes feels like being right there in the rehearsal room with the band. With that said, I have to mention that Low Monkey is more than capable of creating a noticeably resonant, dimensional sound with only three band members; each song reaches far, wide, and deep, completely immersing the listener.However, if I'm being super honest here, I have to admit that Low Monkey leaves me a little frustrated because...I want more! Hopefully some more tracks or a full-length album are in the pipeline!Be sure to give this stellar EP a spin for yourself and show the band some much-deserved support!More About Low Monkey
Low Monkey Is:Oddi - BassJens - Drums, Backing VocalsSebastian - Guitar, VocalsYou can follow Low Monkey and listen to their music at the following links:
SLÜGFÜT Explores Heavier Textures on New EP "II"
Sheffield fuzz-rock quartet SLÜGFÜT quickly grabbed my attention back in 2024 with their memorable moniker and bite-sized but powerful EP III, a release I wrote about fondly in the early days of the blog here. Combining warm, thick fuzz with velvety smooth, expressive melody and a plethora of soulful groove, SLÜGFÜT has a knack for concocting a decidedly retro-leaning sound that swirls with dark undertones.The band is back in 2026 with another sampling of songs on their new EP II, which features two tracks: Volcano and Gaia.SLÜGFÜT - II
Volcano opens the EP with eruptive force, delivering a noticeably heavier, more riff-driven sound than SLÜGFÜT displayed on their debut release. Buzzing guitars, sinister bass, and thundering drums mirror the pressure that accumulates before a volcanic eruption and, in a very natural way, they ultimately flow into open and soaring respites now completely free and unburdened by tension.Gaia enters with a much more eclectic sound. After a melancholic opening, this track charges into crunchy rock groove followed by saccharine, almost poppy verses, infectious choruses, and tumultuous surges of intensity.Final ThoughtsWith II, SLÜGFÜT confidently steps beyond the boundaries of their established comfort zone, introducing a significantly heavier foundation without sacrificing structural balance. The album thrives on added dimension and sophisticated contrasts, even as the band remains anchored to the soulful sweetness and heightened expressiveness that define their trademark sound. Ultimately, II represents the best of both worlds—a pivotal transitional marker that suggests SLÜGFÜT is poised to further experiment with grittier, weightier textures, fully reconciling their light and dark inclinations.More About SLÜGFÜT
SLÜGFÜT is:Jackson McLean - Vocals & GuitarsMichael Nunn - GuitarsLewis Spindler - BassTJ Fairfax - DrumsYou can follow SLÜGFÜT and listen to their music at the following links:A massive thank you to the band for the promo!
Best New Releases October 2026
I probably don't have to reiterate that there has been a massive spike in the number of new albums being released in the heavy underground recently, but October 2026 really makes the rest of the fall months pale in comparison. In fact, I chose a whopping twenty albums to share with you guys this month, a number that I haven't come close to in over a year! So, without further ado, here's exactly what I chose for the October Doom Charts in descending order:
Best New Releases October 2026
20.) Double Space - Not in a Million Years
"Not in a Million Years" sums up how Danish noise rockers Double Space felt about releasing their debut album of the same name. Over the course of 20 + years creating music, the trio fought tenaciously against adversity and ever-changing scene trends, never compromising when it comes to their crushingly heavy, ultra-expressive sound.Through a viscous blend of sludge, doom, and noise rock, Double Space takes the listener on a bone rattling sonic ride as unforgiving volume, delirium-inducing noise, and raw emotion surrounds, mirroring turmoil experienced from the inside out.In fact, this visceral sensory experience is exactly what Double Space had in mind while recording Not in a Million Years: "The goal wasn't perfection; it was truth. A document that feels like witnessing, not merely listening."Favorite Track: Fractured19.) Travo - Wasteland
Travo, a heavy psych quartet from Portugal, captured their darkest, heaviest sound yet on their fourth studio album Wasteland. Partially inspired by T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, the album explores fragmentation, contemporary anxiety, techno-paranoia, and disconnection". Wasteland possesses a palpable sense of urgency and anxious tension from start to finish, perceptible from the very first note and fittingly relayed through a chaotic and noisy rendition of heavy psych. Regardless, the sound is still more than capable of falling into hypnotic atmospheres, but these are inevitably pierced by frenetic peaks of intensity. The album is naturally volatile, often dark but powerfully expressive, filled with thoughtfully crafted soundscapes that accurately depict the moods and struggles of modern living.Favorite Track: Decipher18.) Forest Horse - Botany
On their sophomore album Botany, Forest Horse grows a perfectly low and slow, hazy brand of swampy, "plant-powered" doom. While it's incredibly easy for this style to get bogged down, the band keeps things open and fluid with a trippy infusion of psychedelia that allows the aura of each song to rise above the mire like tendrils of smoke. Further, Forest Horse keeps things varied and interesting by alternating between hypnotic, chant-like melodies and utterly feral, black metal-esque vocals, ensuring there's something on this sonic trip for everyone.Favorite Track: The Fallen Limb17.) Oakfarm - Too Hard For Some Too Soft For Others
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For their sophomore album Too Hard For Some Too Soft For Others, German heavy rockers Oakfarm sought a "darker, more melodic, more daring sound", a goal the trio thoroughly achieved. The tones of this release rise from a soul of fuzzed-out, analog 70s rock, a rich sound that envelops the listener with perpetual warmth. However, it's the heart of Too Hard For Some Too Soft For Others - Oakfarm's raw and unfettered emotional expression - that's the star here. Beautifully conveyed by vocals and instrumentals alike, this passion is always projected in a powerful but organic manner. And, while the noticeably heart wrenching songs are arguably the most standout for their sheer emotional impact, Oakfarm isn't creating a drama here; the album is still super energetic, with pockets of vibrant, live show-ready surges of pure groove dotted throughout. By unabashedly wearing their hearts on their sleeves while expanding upon their knack for feel-good retro rock, the boys of Oakfarm have ultimately created a collection of songs that has the power to be a go-to for any mood.You can read my review of the album here.Favorite Track: 3000 Miles (And Nothing Gained)16.) Godzilla Snacks - Tribes of Lost Children
Fukuoka-based trio Godzilla Snacks has been around for fourteen years now, churning out a refreshingly bare-bones but multifaceted rendition of stoner rock that makes the listener feel as if they're right there in the rehearsal room. For their fifth release Tribes of Lost Children, the band envisions a dystopian future in which people are overly reliant on technology, blinded by groupthink, and are mesmerized by the idea of recolonizing another planet (sound familiar?). The six tracks of the album play out in a noticeably cinematic manner in spite of their perfectly unpolished tones, or perhaps because of them. In fact, Tribes of Lost Children naturally evokes images of gritty 70s sci-fi films as its captivating blend of coarse stoner and groovy heavy rock merges with expanses of spacey psychedelia. Lightyears away from being campy, however, Tribes of Lost Children tackles subject matter that would have probably been considered fantasy back in the 70s, but is unfortunately all too relevant and relatable now, showing us that we are, in our current state, the stuff of science fiction.You can read my review of the album here.Favorite Track: Nebula Eye15.) Som Är Död - Comfort of the Cold
Som Är Död's new EP Comfort of the Cold embraces "a darker and colder time" and images of "concrete, dead flowers, and cold light". It's a natural follow-up to the band's previous work Warmth of the Sun, which depicts "summer, natural sunlight, and organity". This difference in sound is immediately apparent in Comfort of the Cold's harsher, less forgiving tones rooted firmly in stark reality. Far from being all "doom and gloom", however, the EP contains plenty of Som Är Död's trademark delivery, drifting among heartfelt, soulful moods, palpable melancholia, rock and roll swagger, and every so often, a little punk rock attitude. Also combating the veil of darkness are the band's signature alternative hooks, which easily keep the listener invested while remaining raw and unpolished enough to feel credibly authentic.You can read my review of the EP here.Favorite Track: Daylight14.) Godzilla in the Kitchen - Termination Sequence
Termination Sequence, the third album from Leipzig alternative metallers Godzilla in the Kitchen, is an relase symbolic of monumental shifts. And to be fair, a lot has changed for the band since getting their start as an instrumental stoner metal/heavy psych group in 2012. Since then, a taste of the limelight, lineup changes, and life events have rocked Godzilla in the Kitchen, but they ultimately re-emerged stronger than ever as a much heavier stoner/alt metal band, this time with vocals. In fact, the band was surprised by the newfound weight and "aggression" in their sound, but I would argue that Termination Sequence is far less aggressive and much more authentically, unapologetically expressive. With songs built around pivotal life experiences and pent-up frustrations, GITK brilliantly uses building, growing atmospheric passages that erupt into purgative explosions of crushingly heavy, metal-forward release. The band's decision to add vocals seems to be exactly what they needed, as it adds emphasis and humanity to their moving instrumentals. With all the pieces finally in place and working together perfectly, Godzilla in the Kitchen delivers a deliciously heavy but undeniably genuine album with Termination Sequence; pure sonic catharsis.Favorite Track: Birdsong13.) Robot God - Curse of the Driven
Without even pausing to let the engines cool on their recent release Onto the Afterlife (May 2026), Sydney's heavy psych wizards Robot God are back with their second full-length album of the year, Curse of the Driven. This time around, the trio seeks out "darker and more expansive territory" in their already sophisticated sound. Darkness certainly makes an appearance throughout the album in several forms: sinister bass lines, bewitching melodies, bouts with melancholia, and a consistent seismic rumbling from down below that emulates a growling beast. However, Curse of the Driven is still VERY much a Robot God album, delivering plenty of the band's signature reverberating tones, spacey textures, fluid movement, vibrant groove, heavy rock swagger, and highway-ready energy.Favorite Track: Lucid Reality12.) Valley of the Sun - The Blacklight Sessions
Truly a band that needs no introduction, Valley of the Sun has proved multiple times over their 15+ year career that they have a solid command of stoner rock (and its subgenres). On their new album The Blacklight Sessions, the trio energetically vacillates among barreling stoner riffs, blues-infused heavy rock soul, eclectic alternative, the melodic angst of grunge, and desert-baked psychedelic oases. More than anything, I'm elated to see that Valley of the Sun continues to merge jammy instrumental expanses with the infectious, punchy energy of shorter-form tracks, all graced by soaring, expressive vocals. In short: Valley of the Sun has done it again (but you knew they would)!Favorite Track: Mountain11.) Bycatch - Demo 26
Bycatch is an up-and-coming band from Aalen, Germany who makes "Musik von Weirdos für Weirdos". Saturated with the moodiness of 90s-era alternative/grunge, their demo EP Demo 26 also highlights the band's garage, punk, stoner, and doomgaze influences within the five refreshingly raw tracks. Overall, Bycatch demonstrates a knack for blending dreamy, ethereal atmospheres with the weight of melancholia, balancing hypnotic textures with emotional expressiveness.Favorite Track: Gift10.) Snake Mountain Revival - The Divide
Snake Mountain Revival is a trio from Virginia Beach whose moving sound is refreshingly difficult to box into any specific category. On their sophomore album The Divide, the band vacillates between vintage psychedelic tones and a very modern sense of urgency, adorned with elements of dark folk, desert rock, and some of the most expressive vocals I've heard in the heavy underground. And, while this aura of exigency is purposeful, bassist/vocalist Ryan Chandler assures us: "The Divide isn't all thorns and rough edges, though. A major juxtaposition in many of these songs intends to remind us what we might be fighting for. When we protect beauty, peace, love, and contentment, we must also show our fangs."Favorite Track: The Divide9.) Phe - Closer to the Sun
Primarily influenced by stoner, prog, and heavy blues, Phe is masterfully adept at joining tranquil tones with vibrant, soulful grooves. Their new album, the aptly titled Closer to the Sun, sees Phe working with some of their spaciest sounds to date. This release alternates between longer-form, atmospheric tracks that gracefully build into hypnotic, driving pulses and shorter songs that get right to the heart of the matter, homing in on that deliciously fuzzy, classic stoner sound. Besides being their most smoothly mixed work to date, my favorite aspect of Closer to the Sun is that it features an equal number of songs you can chill or rock out to, making it perfect for any mood.Favorite Track: Psychonaut8.) Humulus - Smuggler's Cove
Italian stoner psych trio Humulus returns with Smuggler's Cove, their second album with guitarist/vocalist Thomas Mascheroni. Building upon a sturdy foundation of classic stoner rock, Humulus balances thick and fuzzy riffs with the vastness of space rock and psychedelia. Alternative rock hooks make each track ultra-infectious, waves of murky grunge add moodiness, and smooth, melodic vocals soar above it all. Not only does Smuggler's Cove show Humulus standing assuredly with their current lineup, but it's the band's most vibrant, dimensional release to date!Favorite Track: Rise and Fall7.) Velvet Abyss - Secrets of Lost Empires
Arizonan psychedelic metallers Secrets of Lost Empires have totally floored me with their new album Velvet Abyss. This expansive collection of songs beautifully moves between crushing, doom-laden riffage and intervals of hazy, atmospheric psychedelia within a progressive framework, and spacey interludes create a cinematic feel. Best of all, the band possesses a discernible soul, powerfully relayed by both vocals and instrumentals, that delivers impassioned, unfettered expressiveness from start to finish.Favorite Track: Deus Ex Machina6.) Plastic Woods - Mirrors
For their third studio album Mirrors, Spanish quartet Plastic Woods delivers a conceptual work that explores two dichotomous dimensions: "information overload, polarization, and dehumanization, and an introspective journey toward transformation," ending with the ability to brazenly look one's fears in the eye. The band's crisp brand of progressive rock, fueled by their masterful musicianship and soaring vocals, is the vehicle in which the listener journeys through soundscapes marked by fear, clarity, and newfound courage. Plastic Woods moves among these moods with impressive fluidity, perfectly replicating the necessary back and forth battle that rages in one's mind and soul before individual metamorphosis is finally complete.Favorite Track: All I Know5.) Earthcaster - Antediluvian Digital
Scottish stoner/doom project Earthcaster bewitches with their debut album Antediluvian Digital. A no-skip gem from start to finish, the album moves fluidly among classic stoner, timeless hard rock, golden 70s rock, and sinister doom tones. To this mix, Earthcaster adds what they call "druidic rock," an occult-tinged but vibrant sound that truly makes this release stand out.Favorite Track: Lose Myself4.) Elverhøy - Du e som Plogen
Elverhøy is a trio from northern Norway who plays an infectious and refreshingly unprocessed blend of stoner, garage, and desert rock. The band keeps their melodies smooth and sweet and their lyrics in their native Norwegian language, leading to a decidedly easy-going and organic listening experience.On their debut album Du e som Plogen, Elverhøy has mastered the perfect formula with their equally riff-, melody-, and hook-driven songs. And, for the most part, the album effortlessly grooves along on sunny tones, upbeat harmonies, and strong Queens of the Stone Age vibes emanating from the band's alt rock-forward brand of stoner. However, it's the pockets of dark, folky soul placed strategically throughout the album that are its most intriguing element, providing haunting contrast and mystery.You can read my review of the album here.Favorite Track: I dæ bor det beist3.) Kant - Echoes of Unfortunate Times
The darkness German heavy psych wizards Kant unearthed on their previous album Paranoia Pilgrimage still formidably looms over their latest release Echoes of Unfortunate Times, just in a different form: existential dread. The sharper, more modern sound Kant utilizes around this grimness is the perfect sonic paintbrush with which to paint scenes of maddening tension, apprehension, and edginess - feelings that are often all too familiar in our chaotic, unstable world.You can read my review of the album here.Favorite Track: Echoes of Unfortunate Times/Faces in the Fog2.) The Machine - Another Sun
In spite of almost twenty years and eight albums, the release of Another Sun marks my first time hearing The Machine, and to say that I was blown away would be the understatement of the century. The Machine has a knack for hooking their listeners with soaring, memorable alternative rock phrases and mesmerizing them with passages of the trance-inducing repetition of heavy psych before launching them directly into a solid wall of rumbling, spaced-out stoner/doom sound. Not content to stop there, the band also delights in twists and turns, dropping us into more delicate atmospheres that range from eerie and vast to dreamlike and serene. Guitar tones effortlessly move from coarse and gritty to cold and steely to warm and golden, diffusing like sunbeams through glass. The steadfast bass is truly the backbone of the sound, providing a reliable, and often somewhat sinister stoner groove no matter where the mood of Another Sun goes. Adaptable percussion goes with the flow, energetically and organically crashing along in the more jammy excursions but tightening up at the drop of a hat during tense moments. The vocals are melodic and relatively even-keeled, reminiscent of the post grunge era, which underlines the soothing, hypnotic qualities of The Machine's sound. As a matter of fact, vocals often take a back seat on Another Sun as free-flowing instrumental expanses frequently and very naturally emerge, especially in the two longest songs found at the end of the album. While one could easily say that The Machine incorporates a lot of moving parts on Another Sun, the natural, instinctive manner in which it all unfurls is most impressive, indicative of a band whose musical prowess and creative chemistry have zeroed in on the perfect balance.You can read my review of the album here.Favorite Track: Drop/See1.) Rickshaw Billie's Burger Patrol - Ca$h Grab
After nearly a decade of making a truly one-of-a-kind style of music and melting the faces off of a sea of fans at their live shows, the release of Ca$h Grab is a very natural next step for Rickshaw Billie's Burger Patrol. The album is still as crushingly heavy as Big Dumb Riffs and as deceptively sweet as Doom Wop, but Ca$h Grab's real intensity comes in its immensely personal, unfettered songwriting. It's an album that anyone can relate to on a deep level as it relays a lifelong journey of survival, challenging things, asking the tough questions, healing, moving on, and most importantly, finally choosing oneself.You can read my review of the album here.Favorite Track: Follow ThroughThat's it for October! I hope you enjoy these albums as much as I did.Don't forget to check out this month's Doom Charts where there are forty albums waiting for you to discover and show your favorite heavy underground artists some much-deserved love!Follow Doomcakes on TikTok!
Elverhøy - "Du e som Plogen"
Elverhøy is a trio from northern Norway who plays an infectious and refreshingly unprocessed blend of stoner, garage, and desert rock. The band keeps their melodies smooth and sweet and their lyrics in their native Norwegian language, leading to a decidedly easy-going and organic listening experience.Elverhøy formed in 2025 and self-released their debut album Du e som Plogen ("you are as the plow" in English) on October 23, 2026. The album was primarily recorded live at Kysten Studio in Tromsø with the intention to "capture the band as it sounds in a room." This collection of eleven songs blazes by in just 32 minutes, but it's still more than enough to put the listener in a perfectly light and carefree mood.Elverhøy - Du e som Plogen
"You Are as the Plow"
In spite of being such a new band, Elverhøy has mastered the perfect formula with their equally riff-, melody-, and hook-driven songs. And, for the most part, Du e som Plogen effortlessly grooves along on sunny tones, upbeat harmonies, and strong Queens of the Stone Age vibes emanating from the band's alt rock-forward brand of stoner. However, it's the pockets of dark, folky soul placed strategically throughout the album that are its most intriguing element, providing haunting contrast and mystery.With songs that are so catchy that non-Norwegian speakers won't bat an eye at the language barrier, an invigorating and unadulterated sound, and a discernible soul, Elverhøy makes a memorable first impression on listeners from all over the world with Du e som Plogen!More About Elverhøy
Elverhøy Is:Espen Mauno - BassTor-Eivind Solheim - DrumsØyvind Foss - Guitar, VocalsYou can follow Elverhøy and listen to their music at the following links:A massive thank you the band for the promo!
Kant - "Echoes of Unfortunate Times"
Kant is a heavy psych quartet formed in Aschaffenburg, Germany whose kaleidoscopic music is heavily influenced by the sounds of the 60s and 70s along with notes of doom, heavy metal, and experimental rock. The band released their debut album When The Strangers Come To Town in 2023, a delightfully trippy collection of songs saturated with retro psychedelic tones. This was quickly followed by Kant's sophomore album Paranoia Pilgrimage in 2024, a noticeably darker release that dove headfirst into proto doom and occult rock inspirations. Now, the band returns with Echoes of Unfortunate Times, an album that, through the lens of a more moderns spin on psychedelia, doom, and krautrock, sees Kant exploring "fear of the future." And, while this relevant topic can certainly be a bit anxiety-inducing, frontman Marius Seidel assures us that Echoes of Unfortunate Times is "the most honest and emotional album we have written so far."Kant - Echoes of Unfortunate Times
The album begins with the lush and expansive title track, marked by invigorating surges of intensity, soothing psychedelic interludes, and a wealth of beautiful, moving, interconnected pieces. From here, Echoes of Unfortunate Times moves into the "meat" - a series of songs that vacillate among punchy energy, vibrant groove, paranoia-laced frenzy, and hazy trepidation. For me, the songs Avalanche, Digital Beam, and When I Close My Eyes stand out strongly as main idea pieces, perfectly capturing the frenetic mania that results from prolonged cohabitation with fear.The official music video for "Avalanche"Final ThoughtsI would argue that the darkness Kant unearthed on their previous album Paranoia Pilgrimage still formidably looms over Echoes of Unfortunate Times, just in a different form: existential dread. The sharper, more modern sound Kant utilizes around this grimness is the perfect sonic paintbrush with which to paint scenes of maddening tension, apprehension, and edginess - feelings that are often all too familiar in our chaotic, unstable world.Echoes of Unfortunate Times was released on October 23, 2026 via Sound of Liberation Records.More About Kant
Kant Is:Marius Seidel – Guitar, Vocals, FluteNicolas Jordan – GuitarElena Strähle – BassBryan Göbel – DrumsYou can follow Kant and listen to their music at these links:A massive thank you to All Noir PR for the promo!
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.jpg "Oakfarm Too Hard For Some Too Soft For Others Album Cover Photo")
