• Reviews

    Album Reviews: Earl Of Hell, The Chris Rolling Squad, The Great Lie

    The Great Lie – Songs for a Monday Morning


    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.



    The Chris Rolling Squad – Damn You All to Hell  a0551279403_10.jpg


    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 – Earl of Hell a4102416186_10.jpg


    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.

    Posted in: Playgroundz Reviews
    ALBUM REVIEW: PSYCHLONA - WARPED VISION

    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.

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    Posted in: Playgroundz Reviews
    Playgroundz Top 15 Stoner/Doom Album Releases of August 2024


    Playgroundz Top 15 Rock/Metal Album Releases of August 2024 - (Top 10 Depicted In This Image)


    1. MAMMOTH VOLUME - RAISED UP BY WITCHES (Blues Funeral Recordings)
    2. FREE RIDE - ACIDO Y PUTO (Small Stone Records)
    3. BARBARIAN HERMIT - MEAN SUGAR (APF Records)
    4. FOSTER MOTHER - ECHO MANOR (Ripple Music)
    5. ENDLESS VALLEY - KAKASHIR (Copper Feast Records)
    6. COBRANOID - COBRANOID (Self Release)
    7. EMU - EMU (No Groove No Good Records)
    8. ELDER - Live at BBC Maida Vale Studios (Self Release)
    9. VALLEY OF THE SUN - QUINTESSENCE (Self Release)
    10. QUINTANA - THE TRAVELER (Self Release)
    11, HOLA GHOST - CHUPACABRA, HATE & FIGHT (Svart Records)
    12. SUPERSONIC DRAGON WAGON - FROM THE DEEP (Self Release)
    13. EYES OF THE OAK - NEOLITHIC FLINT DAGGER (Self Release)
    14. DELVING - ALL PATHS DIVERGE (Stickman Records/Blues Funeral Records)
    15. SIDEWINDER - TALONS (Self Release)


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    Posted in: Playgroundz Reviews
    Album Review: Acido Y Puto by Free Ride

    From Madrid Spain, 3 piece heavy psych and stoner rock band Free Ride deliver a remarkable 9 track album with all of our favorite ingredients. Just released August 9th on Small Stone Records and If you like a mix of psych, stoner, desert, or even punk rock, Acido Y Puto is for you

    The opening song “Space Nomad” kicks off the album like a soundtrack into the unknown. Its laid back acoustic, clean, and atmospheric sounds capture the essence of moving around in space and alone. 

    On track 2, Free Ride follows this up with more of the same message on the song “Outsider”, this time with a heavy taste of grunge and fuzzy guitars and alternative lead vocals. A rhythmically compelling groove keeps this one snappy and charging forward.

    “Kosmik Swell” is an immersive instrumental that combines the ethereal sound of “Space Nomad” and the pulsating sound of “Outsider”. A masterful track that showcases ripping guitar leads.

    0022800746_10.jpgThe standout guitar work on “Kosmik Swell”, in fact, is all over the album. From beginning to end, you will hear a palette of great guitar tones and expressive guitar solos. The drums and the bass are locked in thumpy and snappy, providing a punchy foundation for the overall gritty undertones of the lead vocals and guitars. The gravelly vocals are a perfect fit, and it's the introspective lyrics that connects us closer together.

    Free Ride has mastered the art of balance with its sonic exploration into the human psyche, carefully extracting the inner dark side of the soul, tapping into a little light of hope where our cleaner and purer thoughts are met with dirty resistance. In this journey, the prettier things get, the fuzzier they become. Balance is everything, and Free Ride has the formula. Perhaps we all need some more Acido Y Puto.

    Listen Here >> https://freerideband.bandcamp.com/album/acido-y-puto

    Posted in: Playgroundz Reviews
    Album Review: L'​Œ​uvre Au Noir by Brüle

    Album Review: "L'​Œ​uvre Au Noir" by Brüle

    french stoner/DOOM band

    https://thebandbrule.bandcamp.com/album/l-uvre-au-noir-2

    Brüle, the 3 piece french stoner/DOOM band, from South Of France (Perpignan), just released their first full length album, "L'​Œ​uvre Au Noir”.  The album features nine tracks that showcase the group's signature blend of stoner, doom, and occult.

    Brule

    The lead single, "La Bruixa Del Sol”,  is a masterclass in slow heavy doom riffage with soaring lead vocals on top. The dynamic occult melodies lock into the sludgy laid back pocket, capturing the true essence of doom.

    Other standout tracks on the album include "This Life",  a perfect  track 2 on the album, full of catchy stoner  hooks within their brand of Doom and “Seal Of Lucifer",  a powerful mid tempo doom track with a riff cooked in a fire, and “Land Of Nod”,  showcasing more of the bands time spent in scorched earth. 

    Overall, "L'​Œ​uvre Au Noir" is a complex masterclass of different and connected parts, in which some describe it as Solar Doom. The songs are mesmerizing and memorable, and the lyrics are thought-provoking. If you're a fan of Brüle, or even if you're new to their music, I highly recommend checking out "L'​Œ​uvre Au Noir” to explore the occult side of your soul.

    https://thebandbrule.bandcamp.com/album/l-uvre-au-noir-2

    Posted in: Playgroundz Reviews