AURAL INNOVATIONS
Jerry:
2005 was a fantastic year for Aural Innovations, as has every year since we
first blasted off in 1998. On the one hand, I had to make the decision
to reduce the publishing schedule of the web zine from quarterly to 3 times a year. But I did
so for two very exciting reasons.
First, the volume of listeners to the online radio shows has grown exponentially
over the years. So much so that it finally made good sense to put my energies
into those. Aural Innovations hosts several radio shows covering different
types of music, but among the flagship shows are Aural Innovations Space Rock Radio, which
features all the great Space Rock that lands in my mailbox throughout the year.
The other hot show is The Atomic Bongload, which showcases the excellent stoner
rock and general heavy rocking music I receive. Of course there is a great deal
of crossover between the two shows and listeners to either show would be well
served by tuning into them both. There is SO much in space rock that would
appeal to stoner rock fans, and vice versa! A major enhancement to the radio
shows late in the year was the addition of Mp3 versions. For years I broadcasted
exclusively in RealAudio, but new shows are now available in hi & lo bandwidth Mp3
editions, as well as RealAudio.
The other exciting change for Aural Innovations in 2005
concerned the mail order. For years I ran a small online mail order that
strived to be a source of availability for Space Rock CD's that suffered
minimal distribution [or in some cases none in the USA]. In early 2006 I decided
that there is so much more fantastic music out there deserving the attention of hungry music
lovers and in April I opened the Aural Innovations e-store, which stocks a variety of Space
Rock and Stoner Rock CD's and LP's.
- First Band From Outer Space - "We're Only In It For The Spacerock"
Debut CD from this Swedish band
who play heavy driving Space Rock, with lots of spaced out stoner grooves and metallic
jamming.
- La Ira de Dios - "Hacia El Sol Rojo"
Guitar / bass / drums trio from Peru
that play a molten brand of heavy acidic power rocking psychedelia and space rock, much of which
brings to mind Space Ritual era Hawkwind without the electronics.
- F/i - "Blanga"
The latest from this loooooooog lived
band that are one of THE premier space rock bands on the American underground scene. A raucous
set of doomy, crushing Space Rock, with bashing and swirling guitars, freakout synths and
psycho-metal space jams.
CHICAGO STONERROCK.COM
Dave:
2005 was a busy year for the Chicagostonerrock.com crew. Stu captained our massive 17-day
Pre-Emissions festival in late May and early June. We had several dozen bands play some
amazing shows during the two-week period surrounding the Emissions From The Monolith
festival, including Yob, Eyehategod, Solace, Weedeater, Amplified Heat, and so many others. Many
local bands also had a chance to play for new people during that time.
Stu, the founder of Chicagostonerrock.com, relocated to North Carolina during the summer, and
he turned over the reins to DoomsDave and the Worthless Doomed Dog who runs the
excellent video zine DoomedNation.com. He still is a valuable contributor
to our efforts, and we love and miss him dearly!
We're looking forward to another Pre-Emissions fest this year, perhaps scaled back
somewhat from last year's gargantuan effort [we actually would like to see Emissions this year], and
we have some ideas to expand the site. We plan to keep being the place to go for all
things Stoner Rock in Chicago!
- Grand Magus - "Wolf's Return"
- Candlemass - "Candlemass"
- Witchcraft - "Firewood"
Hmm, all three from Sweden. I'm living
in the wrong country!
HELLRIDE MUSIC
Chris:
2005 was a very good year for Hellride. The website continued to grow and we
expanded into website and forum hosting for bands, 'zines and labels -Hellride is
now a cheap haven for underground heaviness.
The webstore also grew by leaps and bounds, weird to think I started out carrying
10 titles five years ago and now it's up to 1400 and counting. I even have my
first employee... my wife, and I think she hates me for it.
Hellride Music Records also saw it's second release from Indiana's The Gates of
Slumber -a CD filled to the brim with skull crushing doom metal.
Musically, it was a pretty damn good year and a banner year for the
doom set, with amazing releases from The Plague of Gentlemen, Candlemass, Centurion's
Ghost, Buring Saviours, World Below, Forsaken... I could go on and on...
- Kreator - "Enemy Of God"
- End Of Level Boss - "Prologue"
- The Gates of Slumber - "Like A Plague Upon The Land"
NINE HERTZ
Pete:
"2005 has been a very special year for us. The first full year of ninehertz's existence
has been exciting and eventful, and the music that has reached our ears has been superb.
Through the website we have been exposed to a lot more music than before, from lesser
lights in the US such as Ditchliquor or Gideon Smith and the Dixie Damned, to mainland
Europe and the huge wealth of stoner rock talent emanating from there. And from all over
the UK where many, many bands are producing top class music that we otherwise would not
get the opportunity to hear.
Some of the biggest 'stars' of the genre shone brightly this year; Brant Bjork & The Bros electrified
when they toured the UK; Hangnail's Harry Armstrong surged back to prominence with End
of Level Boss and their excellent 'Prologue?' album, and lord only knows how
Clutch managed not only to surpass all expectations with 'Robot Hive/Exodus' but blew everyone
here away with their magical live performances once again as well.
As well as the recognised names, some of the personal highlights of the year were provided by
bands that were previously unknown to us. Many of these came at 'Ninehertz live' gigs
around the country, which featured, among others, Truckfighters, Dirtyblood, Outburst, Mothertrucker, Grifter, Sada, Gardenia
Sky, Future Ex Wife, Hedge Dweller and Iron Hearse.
Other moments happened when a demo or album sent through the post was stuck on
for the first time and instantly, often unexpectedly thrilled; Among the
Missing, El Thule, IX, Bumsnogger, StoneWall Noise Orchestra, Una Corda and Flatlands
all spring to mind, but it was a regular occurance, and we are grateful to everyone who's
been involved.
- Clutch - "Robot Hive/Exodus
- Truckfighters - "Gravity X"
- Snowblood - "Being and Becoming"
STONERROCK.COM
John:
2005 saw the stoner rock scene continue to mutate and splinter. There have been cries
in the forum of good days long gone, but I don't really give those complaints much
credence. Shit's gotta keep evolving and moving on. Otherwise, this site and this
music would be another stagnant fad.
Having reviewed at least 250 CDs over the past twelve months, it's kind of
tough to break it down into specifics -it's a blur of riffs and cowbell for
the most part. I did notice that in the US, the love affair of straight
ahead rock took a backseat to both a more metal / aggro style and a more
progressive, atmospheric sound. Relapse-style bands, doom metal [YOB!], and Neurosis / Isis
followers overshadowed the straightforward rockers like Hognose, The Mos Generator, and
Greatdayforup.
Outside the US, though, there was still reverence to traditional rock.
Truckfighters, Cowboys & Aliens, and Dozer all released albums in 2005 that were direct
descendents of classic stoner rock but bypassed rehashed riffs
and stale ideas. There wasn't any wheel reinvention -just catchy songs and
solid playing. The same can be said of Witchcraft, La Ira de Dios, The Kings of Frog
Island and scores of others who opted to eschew anything fancy and just play some honest, no
frills rock. There was plenty of doom, such as Ufomammut's latest EP and Thee Plague
of Gentlemen, but rock was still king.
I don't think I'll ever be able to come up with a definitive Top 3 Albums, but
I'm picking Corrosion of Conformity - "In the Arms of God," Lamont - "Muscles, Guts and
Luck," and We're All Gonna Die - "The Wreck of the Minot" for a couple of simple reasons.
First off, I can always find the time to listen to them. Corrosion of Conformity has been a favorite
of mine since the early '90's, and they can do no wrong by me. With Lamont and We're All
Gonna Die, I've seen them more times than I can remember and each time has been
absolutely killer.
The internet has given us all access to music we otherwise wouldn't have heard, but
in the end, it all comes back to your home town. I only have to drive into the city
to see some of the greatest under appreciated rock bands throw down the heavy.
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