The Great Lie delivers six fast and furious tracks on Songs for a Monday Morning, and there’s nothing sleepy about it. This EP hits hard right from the start and doesn’t let up. It’s pure, old-school hardcore with a smart edge.
The first song, "Fractured," kicks in with raw energy and lyrics about how everyone’s a little broken. Deep stuff packed into a minute and a half of chaos. "Rinse and Repeat" and "Another Way" keep the energy high and the anger real. Every song is tight, focused, and just rough enough to feel alive.
"Head Low" shows a slightly more thoughtful side, while "Lay Down" is quick and intense, like a musical punch to the gut. The closer, "Critical Thinking," leaves you thinking, not just headbanging.
The production keeps things sharp without cleaning it up too much. It still feels raw, which fits the vibe perfectly. If you’re into hardcore that’s real, loud, and doesn’t waste your time, this one’s worth the short but solid ride.
If you're into rock that's loud, gritty, and unapologetic, Damn You All to Hell is right up your alley. The Chris Rolling Squad throws down 15 tracks of no-nonsense rock 'n' roll that mixes punk speed, hard rock attitude, and a dirty garage sound.
It opens with "Pendejos 666," a short, chaotic blast that sets the tone. The title track and “Loaded Gun” bring fast riffs, catchy choruses, and serious swagger. "Blind (So Fucking Blind)" and "Headshot 1st" keep the speed and rawness going strong.
“Cannonball Holocaust” is back from a previous release, and it still rips just as hard. The album wraps up with "F-world Song," which sums up the band’s ‘no rules, no filters’ attitude.
This record doesn’t try to be fancy, it just rocks hard. Fans of Motörhead, The Hellacopters, or anything loud and fast will feel right at home here. It’s a wild ride from start to finish, and it doesn’t ask for permission.
Earl of Hell’s debut full-length is heavy, dark, and drenched in attitude. The Scottish five-piece brings a mix of stoner rock, punk, and metal that sounds like it crawled out of the underworld—and that’s a good thing.
“Satan Is Real” starts the album with a punch, and the intensity stays high through “The Infernal Dream” and “Impaler.” The guitars are thick, the vocals are gritty, and the mood is straight-up sinister. There’s melody buried in the chaos, but it never loses its edge.
Tracks like “Calling, Is The Crow” and “Macabra Cadabra” get a little weirder and moodier, adding some creepy atmosphere. “Waiting to Die” and “Bloodlines” close things out in dark, doom-soaked style.
The production is solid, it’s rough enough to keep the energy raw, but clear enough to hear every heavy hit. Fans of bands like Red Fang, Electric Wizard, or early Mastodon will find plenty to like here.
This debut proves Earl of Hell knows exactly who they are, and they’re not afraid to turn up the volume and drag you down with them.
RATING CARD: Mount Hush - II(SELF RELEASE)
Released November 9th, 2024
Playgroundz October 2024 New Releases Top 16
1. HERMANO - WHEN THE MOON WAS HIGH (RIPPLE MUSIC)
2. CERTAIN DEATH - STRANGE GARDEN (SELF RELEASE)
3 .BURN RITUAL - HOUSE OF THE WICKED (SELF RELEASE)
4. CRIMSON OAK - WILLOW (TONZONEN RECORDS)
5. ENFORCED - A LEAP INTO THE DARK (CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS)
6 .VOKONIS - TRANSITIONS (MAJESTIC MOUNTAIN RECORDS)
7 .HIGH REEPER - RENEWED BY DEATH (HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS)
8. STONER - HITTIN’ THE BITCHIN’ SWITCH (HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS)
9. THE PALE HORSES - ENCHANTRESS (SELF RELEASE)
10.ELEPHANT TREE/LOW RIDER - THE LONG FOREVER (BLUES FUNERAL RECORDINGS)
11.HELL VALLEY HIGH - WELCOME TO HELL VALLEY (SELF RELEASE)
12.SUN AND SAIL CLUB - SHIPWRECKED (HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS)
13.CORTEZ - THIEVES AND CHARLATANS (RIPPLE MUSIC)
14.DESERTS OF MARS - DEAD PLANET EXODUS (SELF RELEASE)
15.SANTA PLANTA - FROM THE TRAILS OF DESIRE (SELF RELEASE)
16.TRANSYLVANIA STUD - EMPRESS (HELSING RECORDS)
NOTEWORTHY ALBUM: CERTAIN DEATH - SECRET GARDEN (SELF RELEASE)
Released October 17th, 2024
"Strange Garden" by Certain Death leans into a raw, rock-driven sound of proto-metal’s earliest influences. With gritty, organic riffs and a dark atmospheric edge, the album offers a refreshing homage to the foundations of heavy rock. A powerful, vintage-inspired experience!
NOTEWORTHY ALBUM: BURN RITUAL - HOUSE OF THE WICKED (SELF RELEASE)
Released October 25th, 2024
House of the Wicked by Burn Ritual is a dark blend of stoner rock and doom that is hypnotizing. Each track offers thick, resonant riffs and haunting melodies that pull listeners into its shadowy depths. This EP takes you on a journey into the heart of darkness!
NOTEWORTHY ALBUM: PHANTOM HOUND - FROM BOOM TOWN TO GHOST TOWN (GLORY OR DEATH RECORDS)
Released September 18th, 2024
Phantom Hound’s sophomore album, From Boom Town to Ghost Town, delivers a potent mix of heavy rock, doom psych, and sludge metal, showcasing the band’s growth and musical evolution. Amazing Album!
ALBUM REVIEW: PSYCHLONA - WARPED VISION (MAGNETIC EYE RECORDS)
Released September 27th, 2024
Warped Vision, the fourth and latest release from Psychlona, is a magnificent work of Psychedelic Desert Rock in its finest moment. It made landfall on September 27th, 2024 via Magnetic Eye Records and we have tracked it all the way from Bradford, UK.
The sound is rich and polished, with velvety vocals performed with a swaggy attitude. Lush and grungy guitar tones are layered on top of the drums and the bass, who do all the heavy lifting effortlessly. Together, it all sounds like a perfect storm.
The opening track, "Jasmine," sets the stage with swelling guitar lines spread out and a heavy riff-driven groove. The vocals, drenched in delay and reverb, hover above this storm, occasionally striking down with electrifying guitar leads. The impact is undeniable, and I can't help but be intrigued by this musical phenomenon. So let’s go, pun intended.
From "Let's Go," the second track on their eight-album masterpiece, the band delivers more desert rocking spacey psychedelia. This upbeat song continues to showcase their signature blend of melodic vocal lines and intricate guitar hooks, captivating listeners with its infectious energy and clever songwriting.
Track three “Smoke” blows in a change and a momentary lapse of reason sets over me. Like swimming in a fishbowl, the track exudes a unique blend of beauty and melancholy. Its slow and refined guitar lines intertwine seamlessly with the relaxed vocal performance, creating a captivating soundscape. However, with just over a minute remaining, the song takes an unexpected turn, escalating to another realm. Fast-paced grooves, hard-riffing guitars, and raw energy converge to create a sonic storm that reaches new heights.
"Cut Loose", "Topanga", and "Kaleidoscope" emerge as an obscure and captivating trio of songs. Carefully crafted with intricate arrangements, they transcend the mainstream with cherished cult classic familiarity. Their allure grows with each listen, warping the listener's perception and leaving a lasting impact.
As the album nears its conclusion, the song "Split" slows down the pace, creating a pleasing contrast. The verses continue to carry a melancholic tone, which transitions into a heavier electric guitar-driven sound. Ending the album with "Magic Carpet" is a fitting choice, as it strongly resonates with the overall theme and atmosphere of the album.
Psychlona delivers a collection of songs that feels both timeless and forward-thinking. With Warped Vision this release cements their place as a formidable force in the psychedelic desert rock scene.
NOTEWORTHY ALBUM: ENDLESS VALLEY - KASKASHIR (COPPER FEAST RECORDS)
Released August 8th, 2024
This innovative sound connects continents with it’s mix of progressive psychedelic heavy world music. full of incredible guitar tones, energetic jamming percussion, pulsating bass, and soulful world vocal chants. Empty the ocean floors with Kaskashir.
