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.

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.

The 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

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.

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

Playgroundz Rocks Top 11 Picks In The Heavy Undergound - July 2024 Releases

1. OCCULT WITCHES - SORROW’S PYRE (Self release)
2. DRUG HUNT - FEAST (Bad Vibe Good Friends)
3. ORANGE GOBLIN - SCIENCE, NOT FICTION  (Peaceville Records)
4. DOOMBOYZ - EVIL RIFFS FROM LOS ANGELES (Self Release)
5. THE BRIDGE CITY SINNERS - IN THE AGE OF DOUBT (Self Release)
6. SARAJAH - SARAJAH (Argonauata Records)
7. THUNDERDOPE - MOTORSATAN (Self Release)
8. ANANDA MIDA - LIVE AT DUNA JAM (Heavy Psych Sound Records)
9. JUPITER CYCLOPS - AGE OF THE UFONAUT (self release)
10. POHL - MYSTERIES (Wrong Speed Records)
11. BAD ABSALOM - PARADISE IS CANCELLED (self release)