Off to Italy…

And like that… We’re gone… Well, in a few hours... Off to Italy for three weeks, seeing the sights, hiking the mountains and probably trying to dive into the Vesuvius volcano. No updates on the little old blog or on Facebook… But there might be a very occasional post on Instagram. Since we’re heading for Naples as well, we will surely be listening to the Tuna De Tierra albums. Who, by coincidence, might be reforming (with a different line-up) in the near future! We can only hope! And of course many of the great releases of the past and upcoming months will be travelling with us. And all time favorite 'on the road' albums... Do you have favorites for the road? Let us know, we might be able to take those with us as well..

Seeya in a few weeks! Bella Zio!

FULL ALBUM PREMIERE

Mandy Manala - Mandy Manala

It has been on repeat for many moons over here! The self-titled debut album by Finish five piece Mandy Manala! Out on Octopus Rising and Argonauta Records, this Friday, 23th of May but audible right now, right here. Yes, we are honored to bring you the FULL ALBUM PREMIERE for Mandy Manala! A full review appeared a few days ago, but we can sum up the words like this: “There is magic in everything that Mandy Manala does. They’ve taken the vintage and retro vibes and added so much modern power to it that it becomes this high energy, high flying ever forward propellant.” And… “Mandy Manala takes it up a notch, shoving movement in every nook and cranny of their creation and in doing so creating something that might turn into a movement itself. For with this debut album they’ve seemed to already have captured that essence of rock ‘n roll; they’ve created their own world. And that world is something other people will probably and hopefully are relieved and pleased to be a part of. For nine tracks and forty-seven minutes long the Ostrobothnia, Finland born five piece drags you, pulls you, shoves you and directs you towards a glorious state of euphoria.”

So, get moving, get grooving and be immersed in the Mandy Manala world! Press Play!



We thank Mandy Manala, Octopus Rising, Argonauta Records and Grand Sounds PR for the amazing opportunity to release this album into the wild… 

Bandcamp

Facebook

Instagram

Linktree

Argonauta Records

Grand Sounds PR 

PR Wire:

Mandy Manala is a five-piece, female-fronted rock band from Vaasa, Finland. They deliver a dark yet catchy blend of rock music, characterized by powerful vocals and experienced musicianship. Formed in 2021, the band features members who have been active in the local scene for over two decades, coming from groups such as ELD, Lords of Chernobyl, Rock Fuel and MotörCünt.

While rooted in stoner rock, Mandy Manala draws from an impressively wide range of influences, including Ghost, Abba, Fleetwood Mac, The Hellacopters, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Bathory and Darkthrone. The result is a sound that is heavy and intense, yet melodic and accessible. Their songs are driven by the dynamic voice of lead singer Christa Nedergård and supported by rich instrumental arrangements.

Lyrically, Mandy Manala explores deep and often unsettling themes such as anxiety, mental illness, witchcraft, occultism, the decline of modern society and the shadowy corners of the human mind.

The band's debut album was recorded in April 2024 at Wolfthrone Studios in Forsby, Finland. It features nine tracks, including a reimagined version of "Black Sheep" originally by Gin Wigmore. The album was produced by bassist Kenneth Norrlin and engineered, mixed and mastered by Owe Inborr, who also contributed keyboards and piano on several songs. Additional elements include backing vocals by Norrlin and percussion by guitarist David Granfors.

Mandy Manala is not just a musical project, but a full concept. The band is inspired by theatrical rock icons like Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson, and plans to develop a strong visual identity and narrative around the lead character. This vision is central to their artistic direction and future releases.

While capable of delivering a compelling live show, Mandy Manala prefers to keep performances rare and intentional, focusing instead on quality and presentation rather than frequency.

The band is currently looking for a label partnership to finalize their debut release and move forward with a cohesive launch plan. All materials — recordings, visuals and creative direction — are in place and ready to go.

Band Members:
Christa Nedergård – vocals
Jonas Snickars – drums
Joel Vienonen – guitar
David Granfors – guitar
Kenneth Norrlin – bass

Album Details: Recorded at Wolfthrone Studios, Forsby, Finland, in April 2024
Produced by Kenneth Norrlin
Engineered, mixed and mastered by Owe Inborr
Keyboards and piano on "The Machine," "Black Sheep," "May Queen," "The Dark Passenger" and "When We Rode Out to War" by Owe Inborr
Backing vocals by Kenneth Norrlin
Percussion by David Granfors
All songs written and arranged by Mandy Manala, except "Black Sheep" written by V Butler and Butch Walker, originally performed by Gin Wigmore on the album "Gravel & Wine" (Universal, 2011)

Kal-El – Astral Voyager Vol.1
Majestic Mountain Records / Blues Funeral Recordings
Rock, Stoner, Space, Doom, Metal
Rated: *****

Did these two powerhouse labels compete to get to release the new Kal-El album? Or did Majestic Mountain Records and Blues Funeral Recordings immediately decide to release Astral Voyager Vol.1 together? Was it because they equally loved the new Kal-El? Or is it just a way to keep shipping costs down? Either way, we are glad they did! For the new six track release is one for the ages, for eternity probably. And to think it will be followed up by a Vol.2 and probably this year? Wow! Another diptych of stoner bliss! Stoner metal mixed with minor doom touches and space elements. Incredibly fuzzy and even opting for some more progressive touches here and there. It’s Kal-El doing their own brilliant thing! They have a certain ring to their sound, a cold spark and an icy glimmer. It’s always been there, but this time around, it’s what makes the entire album hum and sing. The energy seems to vibrate at the perfect pitch. And it gives their metallic edge that extra bit of shine. Delivering constantly in big riffs and soaring payoffs. The vocals are pristine and add that extra bit of shiver. Kal-El has delivered many great albums in the span of their career, starting ten years ago with Ecosphere and Dark Majesty from 2021 making it to the Number 11 position of the Stoner HiVe Top 20 Countdown of 2021 according to all of your votes. But Astral Voyager Vol.1 is on a different level. Topping up on everything you have come to love about Kal-El. Astral Voyager takes you on a celestial drive and beyond the event horizon, eternity awaits…

(Written by JK)

Bandcamp

Facebook

Instagram

Homepage

AAWKS – On Through The Sky Maze
Black Throne Productions – 2025
Rock, Metal, Doom, Stoner, Psych, Black
Rated: ****

(Heavy On The Cosmic) still spins regularly and so does that split with Aiwass, but it took me some time to come to grips with the new AAWKS album On Through The Sky Maze. It’s the vocals. The death grunts, the blackened howls. They’ve always had their own singular approach to the vocals, but this is another step in an entirely different direction. It’s been out now for some three weeks and I reckon most of you lovely freaks out there have been getting lost in On Through The Sky Maze for all the days since you heard the ominous church bell tolling. Entirely gritty and proto, the doom comes in mucilage form. Turning every riff and rhythm into a sticky extrapolation of a bad trip or demon possession. Opener Celestial Magick sets the tone and offers up no apology for the manner in which they disrupt your energy flow, switching up the groove many times over and distorting it with the guttural disintegrating rumbles. Following Death Trip continues on in the same vein but offers a bit more of cosmic energy to surf on, seventies, acid colored and sporting lovely bass work. Lost Dwellers goes into that territory even more, turning the electric kool-aid into a haunting affair, setting it up with a scary snippet, a ready to rumble rhythm, before breaking it up again and shifting gears. The dynamics, arrangement and breaks reeks of brilliance and the confidence to infuse it all with some stoner swagger is truly magnificent. And you’re not even half  way through…  If the maze was present and swirling on (Heavy On The Cosmic), it’s has definitely taken on M C Escher proportions for the new album. A psychedelic doom labyrinth that keeps on changing and shifting, only ever alluding to a center or an exit, but getting lost and dwelling forever inside is all you will ever want anyway… AAWKS is back with a different spin on its very own and twisted reality and it will take possession of your entire being…

(Written by JK)

Bandcamp

Facebook

Instagram

Aawks Linktree

Black Throne Productions

Review of (Heavy On The Cosmic)

Review of Aawks / Aiwass – The Eastern Scrolls 

AAWKS – The Figure

AAWKS – Celestial Magick

Stoner HiVe’s
Top 10 Most Listened Artists Last Week…

Mandy Manala
AAWKS
Messa
Gaupa
The Janitors
Desert Colossus
Komatsu
Brain Police
Electric Citizen
Temple Fang

Mornin everyone! Final few days before we depart for the road trip through Italy. And that while we still need to get grounded after another wild and wonderful edition of Sonic Whip Festival. Absolutely one of the best indoor festivals around! Loved every minute and show I saw but the performances by Karkara, Khan, The Devil And The Almighty Blues, Elder playing Lore in its entirety and the tears that welled up during Temple Fang will forever be edged upon my heart. Many thanks to all the venue, the organizers, the bands and the fans once again. What pure bliss to have been a part of it again! We hope to do a few more Stoner HiVe posts before we leave devoting every spare second we have. But they are severely limited, so we cannot say how much we will be able to do. But you can always enter the 'wayback machine' and scroll through old Stoner HiVe posts from the last sixteen years if you are hungry for some freaky HiVe stuff or visit last week’s post by Stevie Reek about Pearl Handled Revolver or words about Mandy Manala! And get ready for that FULL ALBUM REVIEW for Mandy Manala happening THIS WEDNESDAY! Have a great week everyone! Much love!

The Spotify Playlist for...

Stoner HiVe's Weekly Top 10 Most Listened

Week 21